Overlooked, minimized, and often disregarded, Tisha B’Av is a holy day that many modern Jews struggle to connect with and choose to ignore. Tisha B’Av, the Ninth of the Hebrew month of Av, commemorates multiple tragedies faced by the Jewish people and focuses on the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem thousands of years ago. Jews who observe Tisha B’Av…
Month: November 2015
Back to Back: Kristallnacht and Veterans Day
When I spent my first year of seminary in Jerusalem, one of the things that I came to truly appreciate about Israel and Israelis was the fact that Yom Ha’atzmaut (Independence Day) was immediately and purposely preceded by Yom HaZikaron (Day of Remembrance), a day when Israelis pause to honor and recall their fallen heroes who have perished in the…
Why I Am, and Will Always Be, a Holocaust Educator
Mission Statement: The Center for Holocaust and Humanity Education educates about the Holocaust, remembers its victims and acts on its lessons. Through innovative programs and partnerships, CHHE challenges injustice, inhumanity and prejudice, and fosters understanding, inclusion and engaged citizenship. Resources include traveling and permanent exhibits, teacher trainings, and innovative programs. Holocaust education has been seen for many years as the…
The (Student) Rabbi
Once upon a summer fellowship, I opted for an office over worship In service of the Jewish families, in a cubicle on the JCC’s second floor. While I sat at an aged desktop, suddenly a coworker had made a quick stop As to ask me to provide a service or maybe something more. “I suppose I can help you,” I…