*This happened a number of years ago, and I’m writing about it now because, well, I finally got around to it. I thought I would share a little bit of the Rebbetzin side of things – my thoughts when we socialize in conjunction with members of our temple. It’s something people ask me about a … Continue reading
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5 Things You May Not Know About Reform Judaism
This is really just a few facts. My blog-bud Frume Sarah will be writing a guest post shortly that is more detailed about some of the things Reform Judaism does and does not believe. But, to start, did you know that: 1) the Reform Movement originated in Germany in the nineteenth century, and that it … Continue reading
5 Things I’d Like Non-Reform Jews to Know About Reform Jews
1) We are not secular. We are Reform Jews. 2) We have a love of God, Torah, and Israel. But probably not in the same way you do. Actually, really not in the same way you do. But valid and authentic nonetheless. 3) While many of us are not observant in the “traditional” way, most … Continue reading
Passover Cleaning Cartoon . . . *sigh*
Oh, har har. Look at that! Get it? Get it? What bothers me about this is that it, rather accurately, represents the insecurity and lack of authenticity many Reform Jews feel about themselves and their place on the Jewish spectrum. Say I’m taking this too far, go ahead, but I can’t tell you how many … Continue reading
Kosher, Part III: Real People, Real Food: Rabbi Joel Mosbacher
Joel has served as the rabbi of Beth Haverim Shir Shalom in Mahwah, New Jersey, since 2001. He is the husband of Elyssa and the Abba to Ari and Lev. Joel and his family have taken on issues of the environment, food, and sustainability in the most serious manner, and in the context of their … Continue reading
I don’t HAVE to do that . . . I’m REFORMED
Ok, let’s clear the air: A) “REFORMED” is an adjective. “REFORM” is a verb or a noun. Definition of REFORMED: 1: amended by the removal of faults or abuses. as in, “Criminals and drug addicts can be reformed.” 2: (initial capital letter) noting or pertaining to Protestant churches, especially Calvinist as distinguished from Lutheran. as … Continue reading
A Beautiful Thing to Start Your Shabbat
I’m reposting this because it’s awesome, and I ran out of time to write an original post. It’s a 60 Minutes segment on the company Malden Mills, who developed the fabric Polartec. It’s owned and operated by Aaron Feuerstein. The interview with him about the fire that ravaged their factory, and their ultimate bankrupcy filing, … Continue reading
“Halfsies”
Cross posted with slight modifications at Out of the Ortho Box – thanks for the opportunity Ruchi! My Rebbetzin-comrade-in-arms Ruchi wrote this post last week. In it she describes some Jews who say, ” Why do I need to worry about all these commandments? I’ll just be a good person and not bother others. I … Continue reading
Chag Urim Same’ach!
A friend posted this comment on this blog post. I think it’s a lovely sentiment to remember that this is a holiday the almost all Jews around the world celebrate, whatever their affiliation or lack of affiliation, beliefs or lack of beliefs, religious or secular. For this week, let’s put aside our differences and stop … Continue reading
Out Loud and Proud
I’ve decided to obnoxiously co-opt the phrase “Out, Loud and Proud” to describe how I’m currently feeling about the Jewish denomination with which I’ve consciously chosen to affiliate. I’m proud of the strides our movement has made in the last decade to look back at our history and learn from it, and move forward. I’m … Continue reading
the Rebbetzin Rocks 