Photo by Haley Black on Pexels.com When I came home for lunch yesterday, John had the news on, and I watched a bit of a demonstration on the National Mall in support of Israel in the war against Hamas. As I was listening to the reporter describe the scene, he was mentioning the different people…… Continue reading The Difficulty of Expressing Nuanced Opinions
Category: Judaism
Ordinary People at Auschwitz
Yesterday we visited Auschwitz-Birkenau. As many of you know, Auschwitz was the largest of the Nazi concentration camps and extermination centers. Over 1.1 million men, women and children were murdered there. Auschwitz proper was actually a whole network of sub-camps, forty in all, that exploited the prisoners as slave labor. [The website, by the way,…… Continue reading Ordinary People at Auschwitz
Yom Kippur and Forgiveness
I meant to share this great piece on forgiveness last week–Yom Kippur began on sundown, September 15th–but after reading it again today, I decided that “better late than never” definitely applies in this case. For those who don’t know, Yom Kippur is one of the holiest [some would say the holiest] days in the Jewish…… Continue reading Yom Kippur and Forgiveness
The Holocaust, Memory and Ethical Loneliness
Today is International Holocaust Remembrance Day. This day was designated by the United States General Assembly in 2005; January 27th is the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. I encourage you to learn more about the history of this commemoration here: International Holocaust Remembrance Day. In addition, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is a fabulous…… Continue reading The Holocaust, Memory and Ethical Loneliness
Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Monday was a holiday–of sorts. When I was young, it was unambiguously Columbus Day: we celebrated the day Columbus “discovered” America and most of us had off from school. Now, in many places–though not everywhere–the day is commemorated as “Indigenous Peoples’ Day,” but somewhat uneasily, I think, depending on where you live. I asked…… Continue reading Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Reflections from Yom Kippur
Today is the conclusion of Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement, a day Jews take stock of their lives, give an accounting of the year, reevaluate priorities and actions, and confront their failings, assured of God’s forgiveness. In the Machzor for Yom Kippur (the service…… Continue reading Reflections from Yom Kippur
A Defiant and Triumphant Faith
The Jewish High Holidays are coming up–Rosh Hashanah starts next week–and so I was particularly moved by this story I read this morning in the New York Times: A Shofar that Defied the Nazis If you haven’t read it, please do–it is so powerful and such a tribute to the strength of human spirit and will.…… Continue reading A Defiant and Triumphant Faith
Alter’s Psalter, and Inclusive Language
I have a bone to pick with Robert Alter. Alter is Professor of Hebrew and Comparative Literature at UC Berkeley, and in 2007, he translated the Psalter. [He also just published a three volume translation of the Hebrew Bible–I have read about it, but I haven’t actually seen a copy of it yet.] He is…… Continue reading Alter’s Psalter, and Inclusive Language
Rosh Hashanah & the Optimism of a New Year
Rosh Hashanah, the celebration of the Jewish New Year and the beginning of the High Holiday season, began Sunday night. Like last year, I attended the Monday morning services at Gettysburg College, and once again, I was deeply moved by the beautiful liturgy. We use the Mishkan Hanefesh, the machzor from the Reform Jewish Community.…… Continue reading Rosh Hashanah & the Optimism of a New Year
Yom Kippur, Elie Wiesel & Martin Luther
Saturday, September 30th, 2017 Today is Yom Kippur, the final day of the Jewish High Holidays, which began last Wednesday with Rosh Hashanah. Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year in Judaism, the day when Jews are closest to God and to the heart of their own being. It is a day spent…… Continue reading Yom Kippur, Elie Wiesel & Martin Luther
Happy Lutheran 