What does it mean to be part of a global Jewish community? For many of us, the concept can be difficult to truly grasp. My father, sisters, and I recently had the chance to understand a little more about it, though, during our recent visit to the Progressive/Liberal Jewish Community of Amsterdam (LJG) when we met in […]
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Is interrupting kosher? | Parashat Tazria-Metzora
When you hear that someone has lung cancer, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? I am embarrassed to admit it, but my mind…
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Turning Fear into a Blessing (Parashat Balak)
Imagine the scenario: just across the border, a significant number of people are gathering. They come from a different place, they speak a different language, and they have different cultural norms. We can all imagine what would happen.
Read MoreResolutions Presented at the International Assembly of the World Union May 2017
In accordance with protocol, Carole Sterling as chair empaneled a resolutions committee to spearhead the process of requesting, formulating and editing possible resolutions to be introduced before the IA at the meeting on 17-May 2017, at 14.00-16.30, in Jerusalem, prior to the opening of CONNECTIONS 2017. The committee was chaired by Philip Bliss of Australia, […]
Read MoreThe World Union Responds: Israeli Government Reneges Conversion Bill and Kotel for all Jews
26 June 2017 Jerusalem, Israel We are profoundly disappointed in the decision of the Government of Israel to deny the Jewishness of Israeli citizens not converted under the authority of the chief rabbinate, and its refusal to honor its commitment to uphold the right of Jews to pray at the Kotel as they do in their […]
Read MoreThe Price of Redemption: Crafting a Moving Ritual (Parashat Korach)
For the second time in my life, I witnessed a baby being redeemed from a life of service in the priesthood at the Temple in Jerusalem. The first, I was that baby. At this, my second Pidyon haBen, Raffi Shane Wolfe, the grandson of our WUPJ Chair Carole Sterling, was redeemed. As a staunch Liberal […]
Read MoreTo Lift Up and be Lifted Up (Parashat Naso)
The Hebrew word “Naso” means “to lift up” and with this word God commanded Moses and Aaron to “lift up” the Children of Israel by concluding the census. It is a curious idea at first glance, to “lift up” in order to take a census, but it makes sense.
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