So much of Jewish programming in the US is holiday oriented. That’s rather perfect because Judaism has SO MANY HOLIDAYS! Coming right up is Purim. It begins at sunset on March 13th. Purim is typically offered up as a sanitized story. The true story is quite dark. All the Jews are marked for death. A Jewish…
Read More »
This is a very hard four years facing us. The way to survive is to stay focused and plan how we will uphold our values. Do you want to protect immigrants, trans folks, minorities? Many of the synagogues have stepped up their activism. Surviving as a Trans Individual If you love someone who is trans (including…
Read More »
Are you the child of an interfaith couple? If you answered “yes” then you have unique understanding of this little-discussed topic. As this section of the Jewish population grows it is time to share what you know. Join us for Do You Have One Jewish Parent Do you see yourself as Jewish, half-Jewish, part Jewish,…
Read More »
It’s almost February and we’re looking ahead to Tu B’shvat! Tu B’shvat – The Birthday of the Trees/Fruit You’ll immediately see from the list of coming events that Tu B’shvat (also Tu Bishvat) is on the horizon. It begins at sundown on February 12th. One of my sternest rules for myself is that I give you a…
Read More »
In Jewish practice, the traditional statement upon learning of a death is: ברוך דיין האמת Baruch dayan ha emet Blessed is the true judge Tradition teaches that this statement, “Blessed is the True Judge,” acknowledges death is beyond our understanding. Why there is death, who dies, we cannot grasp. God’s ways are a mystery to us….
Read More »
One of the unique differences between Western/American thought and Jewish thought is that Jews believe you can hold opposing ideas simultaneously. Here’s an example from a local rabbi’s recent email to her congregation. Rabbi Ilana of Beth Jacob Congregation in Redwood City expressed her gratitude and reflected on “where do we find God?” I am moved by…
Read More »Our weekly email goes out to hundreds of interfaith couples & families in the Bay Area. Topics cover the many questions and mysteries that interfaith couples want answered.