Yom Haatzmaut

May 16, 2024

An Invitation From a Zionist to Non- or Anti-Zionists: Talk to Me

For the non-Zionists or anti-Zionist in my circle, a sincere set of questions from a Zionist. I’m actually looking to understand where you are coming from, so these aren’t gotcha questions. I’ve been working on this for a week or more, but held off posting so as not to intrude on people’s marking Yom Hazikkaron,… Continue reading

Antisemitism, Community Relations, Current Affairs, Equality, Ethics, Freedom, Gaza, History, Holocaust, Inclusion, Interfaith Dialogue, Islam, Israel, Justice, Peace, Speech Ethics, Terrorism, Tikkun Olam, Yom Haatzmaut, Young Jewish Adult, Youth
April 25, 2023

My Love Letter to Hebrew

I gave this as a sermon on Shabbat, April 22, 2023, preceding Israel's 75th anniversary of independence. What I remember first about Mrs. Nussbaum’s Sunday School class is that everyone learned how to read a whole Hebrew word before I did. I can remember coming and looking at the book and I saw nothing. I… Continue reading

Current Affairs, Education, Hebrew, History, Holidays, Israel, Jewish Education, Maimonides, Yom Haatzmaut, Youth
April 25, 2023

Israel’s Declaration of Independence

I am posting this on the eve of Israel’s 75th anniversary of independence. The translation is based on what I found on the Israeli Knesset website with my own revisions to bring the words closer to the Hebrew at the sacrifice occasionally of an equivalent… Continue reading

Calendar, Current Affairs, Equality, Freedom, History, Holidays, Holocaust, Israel, Justice, Peace, Prophets, Tzedek, Yom Haatzmaut
May 5, 2022

Being an American Zionist

This is the text of a column i wrote in the New Hampshire Jewish Reporter for December 2021. I am posting this today on Yom Ha'atzmaut, Israel's Independence Day. I have been a Zionist since I was a kid. I didn’t become an American Zionist, though, until I was 22. That was when I decided… Continue reading

Calendar, Community Relations, Current Affairs, Environment, Equality, Ethics, Feminism, Freedom, History, Holidays, Israel, Jerusalem, Peace, Terrorism, Tikkun Olam, Tzedek, USA, Yom Haatzmaut
October 29, 2020

The Sacrifice of Yitzchak: Remembering Rabin on the Anniversary of His Assassination

October 29, 2020 is by the Jewish calendar the 25th anniversary of the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin z"l, by a Jewish religious extremist opposed to Rabin's peacemaking with the Palestinians. This is the D'var Torah I gave five years ago for Rabin's yahrzeit. This is the week of the 20th yahrzeit for… Continue reading

Calendar, Community Relations, Current Affairs, Gaza, History, Holocaust, Israel, Jerusalem, Justice, Leadership, Parashat Hashavua, Peace, Terrorism, Tikkun Olam, Torah, Tzedek, Vayera, Yom Haatzmaut
April 9, 2018

Israel’s 70th Anniversary

This was column in the bulletin of Temple Beth Abraham for April 2018. This spring, the State of Israel marks its 70th anniversary. By the Hebrew calendar, it falls on April 18-19, and by the secular calendar, on May 14. We are looking forward to celebrating together on Sunday, May 13 at the synagogue. We… Continue reading

Antisemitism, Current Affairs, Freedom, Israel, Jerusalem, Peace, Temple Beth Abraham, USA, Yom Haatzmaut
October 24, 2014

Ari Shavit’s My Promised Land

This post is based on my bulletin column of April 2014. At Temple Beth Abraham, the Sisterhood's book club is discussing this book on Wednesday, Nov. 5 at 8:00 PM. The most important new book about Israel this year is called My Promised Land: The Triumph and Tragedy of Israel, by Israeli journalist Ari Shavit.… Continue reading

Current Affairs, Gaza, Israel, Jerusalem, Peace, Temple Beth Abraham, Yom Haatzmaut
May 9, 2011

Celebrating Israel at 63

Tonight begins Yom Haatzmaut, Israel's Independence Day. For now, think about celebrating! If you are in New Hampshire, come tonight from 5:30-8:30 to the Jewish Federation of New Hampshire's celebration for Jews across the state! Whatever your thoughts about the situation in Israel and the MIddle East, tonight and tomorrow are days to celebrate. Here… Continue reading

Israel, Jerusalem, Peace, Yom Haatzmaut