Each morning, observant Jews pray that God will “zokef kefufim” — straighten the bent. I used to understand this prayer literally: that those with physical disabilities should be able to participate fully in life’s activities. But with the intransigence of our new president, I’m now translating this prayer figuratively and re-assessing its message. The fact…
Shmuel Herzfeld, the rabbi of Washington’s oldest synagogue, Ohev Sholom – The National Synagogue, offers a new inauguration prayer. Dear God: Please give the president the wisdom and courage to guide the United States with fairness and kindness, and to help keep all of us safe and secure. Please protect us from violence and war…
JERUSALEM — The Sephardi Orthodox Shas Party has proposed a bill that would prevent any kind of non-Orthodox public prayer at the Western Wall. Under the draft bill, announced by Shas late on Monday, a fine of some $2,500 or a six-month prison sentence would be levied on those taking part in egalitarian prayer services…
— The Jewish Federations of North America board of trustees sent a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu underscoring the “growing sense of urgency” on the part of American Jews to see the agreement to create an egalitarian prayer space at the Western Wall fully implemented. The letter was approved by the board on…
JERUSALEM — The head of the Knesset Interior Committee called for the Israeli government to cancel the Western Wall egalitarian prayer agreement, saying “It’s not the end of the world if American Jews get offended.” David Amsalem of the ruling Likud party made the remarks during a committee meeting Tuesday on implementing the deal. Prior…
If you’ve been following the news or social media recently, you’re probably familiar with the struggle against the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL). If not, here’s a run down. Energy Transfer Patterns, a privately held company, is attempting to build a $3.7 billion dollar pipeline from the Bakken oil field in North Dakota to a refinery…
— The international association of Conservative rabbis released a prayer “in anticipation of a U.S. election.” The prayer, which calls on readers to consider “all that is at stake in this election,” was written by the Rabbinical Assembly’s executive vice president, Rabbi Julie Schonfeld. “Help us to recognize the gift of our vibrant and open…
Last week on Rosh HaShanah, I looked out at the sea of faces in synagogue and declared: “Today, I stand before you, my heart full of joy for having made it to this day. I am not cancer-free, but the medications I’m now taking are gentle, and are controlling the disease.” The congregation erupted: Amen….
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