When I am asked to describe the challenges of being a rabbi for liberal-minded Jews, I would say it consists largely of interpreting our Jewish religion for people who do not think of themselves as particularly religious. You might be surprised to hear me admit this, but I can hardly recall a single instance in which […]
Articles & Sermons
Ehud Olmert: ‘Justice, Justice shall you pursue’
I am writing this essay on the day that former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has been sentenced to six years in prison for the crimes of political corruption and bribery while he was the mayor of Jerusalem. Assuming that the sentence will be upheld by Israel’s Supreme Court, he eventually will join Moshe Katzav who […]
Does God have a future?
If you have ever been to Millennium Park and have been thrilled, as I have, by its many spectacular attractions, including the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, the Lurie Garden, the Crown Fountain, the Joan and Irving Harris Theatre, and the Cloud Gate sculpture. Cloud Gate is an incredible, exciting work of art that seems to have […]
The synagogue through the rear view mirror
The recent hiatus from the congregational rabbinate has given me an unexpected and hopefully positive vantage point with which to offer a positive prescription for improving the of the health of the American synagogue. I believe that Jewish congregations can and must do better than most are doing now. In fact, if they do not […]
Don’t let your Jewish child be the Grinch that spoiled Santa
A 2008 magazine article deals with the most common dilemma Jewish parents must confront during the Christmas season. A question addressed to columnist Ceridwen Morris: “Another Christmas is upon us, and I am totally dreading it. Our family is Jewish, and we usually just avoid the whole thing. But I don’t think we’re going to […]