Judaism
Sounding the Shofar of Social Justice
Buffer I met Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz several years ago when we were students in Yeshivat Hamivtar, in Israel. As those who know him personally would surely attest, Reb Shmuly is... Read More »
Jewish Relativity, Revisited
Buffer Fellow Jewneric blogger, Joshua Einstein, writes about a common argument made by Jewish outreach organizations: “the secular world is morally relative and adrift†and only religion provides “moral constancy”.... Read More »
Jewish Relativity
Buffer Religious leaders often posit that the secular world is morally relative and adrift. The changing and metastasizing values of the larger world are no doubt foreboding and challenging but... Read More »
“Hodu” This Year in Israel
Buffer There is a lovely children’s book called Rivka’s First Thanksgiving by  Elsa Okon Rael (Margaret K. McElderry Books; 2001). Set in 1910’s, it is the story of a little girl... Read More »
Judaism, Democracy, and Public Reason
Buffer The appropriate role of religion in American political discourse is a debate older than the Constitution itself. It predictably recurs whenever a politician or celebrity invokes or insults religion... Read More »
Who Goes to Shul?
Buffer After World War II, new synagogues opened all over the United States. Jews had started to move to suburbia and away from New York. Wherever they went, they established... Read More »
A Hole in the Jewish Calendar
Buffer After the flurry of Jewish holidays in the fall, it’s no wonder that the month of Cheshvan, which follows on the heels of Sukkot, is devoid of Jewish holidays. But... Read More »
The Official Jewish Mother’s Day
Buffer After the back to back celebrations in the Jewish month of Tishrei, many Jews look forward to a break in the month of Cheshvan, which is the only Jewish... Read More »
Is There a Bright Future for the KosherSwitch®?
Buffer Orthodox Judaism often struggles with new technology. Its top problem is a simple question: “Can you use this on Shabbat?” While this sometimes comes up with manual/mechanical items, any... Read More »
New Trends in Hair Covering?
Buffer I call myself Modern Orthodox, aka “Dati Lite” in Israel. Or, as my friend Shira once termed it, an “endangered species.” How would I describe this level of observance?... Read More »
Why You Should Never Explain Sukkot to a Gentile
Buffer To the outside world, we Jews are crazy, and Sukkot is the icing on the cake. Wait, so … you mean to say that you just fasted for a... Read More »
Even Our “Temporary” Home is Different
Buffer וְשָׂמַחְתָּ בְּחַגֶּךָ… וְהָיִיתָ ×ַךְ שָׂמֵחַ V’Samachta b’chagecha…vehayita ach sameach And you shall rejoice in your Festival…and you will only be happy (Devarim 16: 14-15)  The first year after a... Read More »
Annie Get Your Gun… and Your Havdalah Candle
Buffer Your local Jewish Community Center is likely somewhat of a melting pot of the Jewish community spectrum in your area and, if it offers the right services, even the... Read More »
Quick Pre-Fasting Tips & Tricks
Buffer I am not the best faster in the world. So to prepare, I have learned a few tips and tricks to help ease the 24+ hours of fasting needed... Read More »
Multi-Denominational Rabbis Weigh in on the Days of Awe
Buffer To prepare ourselves for introspection and new commitment on Yom Kippur, we want to acknowledge the diverse sentiment of our communities’ Rabbinic leadership. Jewneric has asked Rabbis of any... Read More »
No Shul for Me
Buffer Erev Yom Kippur is meant to be a day that culminates the spiritual preparations of the past 8 days – one where we really psych ourselves up for the... Read More »
Proper Etiquette When Going to the Mikveh
Buffer Remember that 16-bit game where you had to choose which urinal your character should go to in the men’s room based on where other men where standing? No…? Well,... Read More »
Listening to the Call of the Shofar
Buffer “Awake, sleepers from your sleep, and slumberers arise from your slumber!†-Mishneh Torah, Laws of Repentance The shofar is one of the most recognized Jewish ritual objects, one that... Read More »
Are We Missing the Point? High Holiday Questions to Ponder
Buffer As time goes on, are modern Jews starting to forget what the purpose of the High Holidays was meant to be? This special block of time, set aside from... Read More »
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year (for Educators)
Buffer Autumn. That wonderful smell in the air, foliage changing colors, no more lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer. However my love for this time of year is for... Read More »
