The Importance Of Showing Up
It was summer 2017 and my cousin and I was hiding out from the oppressive New York City heat in the air-conditioned lounge of the newly opened One Brooklyn Bridge […]
“Felt” Like Making Hamentaschen
Purim’s almost here, so poppyseeds, apricot jam and even prunes are filling kitchens, as Hamentaschen baking is in full swing. Hamantaschen are the traditional fruit or poppyseed filled triangular cookies […]
A Journey Through History With My Zaida
One out of three hundred. When 299 armed soldiers deployed for Korea, my grandfather, whom I lovingly refer to as Zaida, defied the odds. He was chosen to serve as […]
Finding Comfort In My Tallit
I started wearing a tallit for the first time in my life in November of 2018 at age 39. It took me a very long time to get there at […]
To My Son On His Bar Mitzvah
The Bar Mitzvah isn’t the end, but the beginning.
The Road To Freedom Isn’t An Easy One
I dedicate these words to our neighbor George Floyd (z”l), may his memory be for a revolution. A new Pharaoh rose up over Egypt who knew not Joseph. Now, when […]
An Understanding of Gender in the Torah from Binary to Merism
How can I curse what God has blessed? That is what Balaam, the go to prophet-for-hire in the 13th century BCE says to the King of Moab. We read these […]
When School And Work Collide With The Holidays
I have been in school basically my whole life, first as a student, then as a teacher, now as a professor. Every year (except for when I taught at a […]
Daily Dreidel: A Hanukkah Activity For Couples
Hanukkah approaches. In this busy season, it’s easy to neglect your relationship as you get swept up in cooking, making the holiday special, and shuttling kids back and forth. If […]
Missouri Jewish Leaders Create Summer Sleepaway Camp For LGBTQ+ Youngsters
This article originally ran in the St. Louis Jewish Light and is used with permission. When Andy Brown and Dan Grabel founded Camp Manitowa in 2010, with two locations in […]