Over 700 people (exact number up for debate) prayed Kol Nidre in an exuberant, politically thoughtful and intently spiritual gathering across from the main Occupy Wall Street camp. Blogging to come, catch the photos and the press: Huffington Post — http://is.gd/feRSK1 Daily Kos — http://is.gd/oqzqKk +972 — http://is.gd/aFdjUd Religion Dispatches – http://is.gd/00hj1X Alef – http://is.gd/3LAmsW And join Occupy Judaism’s email [...]
Archive for the 'Judaism' Category
Blog forgiveness
If I can commit sins of arrogance, ignorance and misuse of power through the web, then surely I can repent through it. Click to read the blogger’s Al Chet mediation I wrote originally in 2009. It seems truer every year. For all those who wronged me through digital and virtual means, I forgive, and let [...]
Oct 6th, 2011 Judaism 0 Comments
UPDATE: Kol Nidre at Occupy Wall Street grows, gains mahzors, leaders
Now at nearly 200 attendees. RSVP here. From organizer Dan Sieradski: Friday night, Oct 7 @7PM Zuccotti Park (Broadway & Liberty St.) Exact location TBA Look for signs For your convenience, some notes: It will be a traditional egalitarian service (Hebrew language with some English readings and an unseparated mixed-gender community, with both men & [...]
Oct 6th, 2011 Judaism 0 Comments
Brief reflection on Tisha B’Av
On Tisha B’Av, today, I reflect how my people’s unique tragedies serve to unite with me all peoples who have suffered great tragedies throughout history. Whose people hasn’t encountered loss? These are mine; they make me just like you.
Aug 9th, 2011 Judaism 0 Comments
The most ironic haggadot ever
I don’t know who this person is, I don’t know what inspired them to make such ironic haggadot entirely from scratch, or what the cover art relates to the inside content, but these haggadot totally win the originality award. 2011 2010 2009 2008 More available for the years 2011 through 1997 at apassoverseder.com. Be sure to check [...]
Apr 18th, 2011 Judaism 1 Comment
Mechon Hadar’s lecture series on religious Zionism
Mechon Hadar offered this three-part series “Redemptive Dreams, Stubborn Realities: The Past and Future of Religious Zionism” by Rabbi Shai Held, a thoughtful and progressive thinker that I greatly admire. I wish I could have attended this lecture. It is odd that my own approach to Israel is outwardly secular and inwardly religious, yet I [...]
Mar 20th, 2011 Israel and Judaism 1 Comment
Tu Bishvat seder meditation on Yetzira
This exercise was inspired by an activity called “Star Cafe” led by Rabbi Yoni Gordis of the Center for Leadership Initiatives when I was a 2008 Kivun Fellow. Rabbi Yoni taught us to value the power of metaphor, which I consider one of my key takeaways from the fellowship. Oh, and “managing up.” My thanks [...]
Jan 21st, 2011 Judaism 1 Comment
May God bless you with discomfort
A Tu Bishvat meditation for yetzirah, the second world in the Kabbalistic seder, the world of emotion: My favorite Catholic prayer and my favorite social justice prayer. May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart. May God bless you with [...]
Jan 20th, 2011 Judaism 0 Comments
Random Tu Bishvat resources I’m using
Quick and dirty Tu Bishvat resources I found online: Jewish FundS for Justice seder, prepared by Rabbi Jill Jacobs Wikipedia entry on Yetzirah “New Year for the Trees,” a seder compiled by Rachel Barenblat Tu Bishvat guide by RabbiDebra.com Aish’s Tu Bishvat guide (all but useless) Hazon’s seder planning manual Got others more in depth? [...]
Jan 18th, 2011 Judaism 1 Comment
A Hanukah message I can embrace
There are too many trite Hanukah messages out there these days. Watching the smug, kitschy and simplistic children’s story of Jews kicking ass in The Maccabeats’ otherwise well-produced and catchy “Candlelight” redux of “Dynamite” makes me want to snap their aluminum foil swords in half. Of both song and storyline, the undertones are irritatingly nationalist [...]
Dec 22nd, 2010 Judaism 0 Comments