News and Politics

Morning Jew: Oy, Ben Stein, Hobby Lobby, and Ruth “Greatest” Bader Ginsburg

By Heather Gold and Katie Halper

Katie Halper and Heather Gold tackle the headlines, asking, Nu, is it good for the Jews?

This week: “Why do all these old Jewish men get caught paying for sexy things with young women who don’t want them, and why are they publically so racist yet so obsessed with trying to shtup someone who’s not their race?” Plus, Hobby Lobby, the all-time greatest Supreme Court justice, the Facebook study, and more.

News and Politics

Supreme Fireworks: Reflections on Independence Day 2014

By Sammie Moshenberg

This Fourth of July, I’ve got a front-row seat to the fireworks set off by the Supreme Court’s Burwell v. Hobby Lobby decision, a strong body blow to some very basic democratic values — equality, religious liberty, voting rights.

Life and Action

Not Just Another World Cup Special with Morning Jew

By Heather Gold and Katie Halper

The Morning Jew Duo Mouths Off About the Bite Felt Round the World & More

Katie Halper and Heather Gold tackle the headlines in this World Cup special edition: Suarez’s big mouth, a Dutch soccer team with a Hava Nagila ringtone, and even a Theresienstadt tie-in – no joke. But very funny.

Life and Action

New Depths in Jewish-Muslim Dialogue: Jewish Privilege

By Rabbi Rachel Barenblat

I’m deeply invested in the transformative possibilities of Jewish-Muslim engagement. But until those of us with privilege recognize the inequity and take steps to fix it, the disparity in our circumstances can get in the way of conversation.

News and Politics

Interfaith, In Good Faith

By Beth Kander

“Mississippi is still the poorest state in the nation, and we have a 35% child poverty rate. We’re grappling with issues of economic and social justice: poverty, health disparity, discrimination, education.”

Committed to community engagement and social justice, Malkie Schwartz of the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life wants to “create opportunities for other Jewish activists to be involved with this milestone, and to stay involved.” That’s why she’s spearheading a Jewish activists’ summit in conjunction with Mississippi Freedom Summer 50.
Read Now.

News and Politics

Standing Up for Voting Rights: Jewish Voices (Still) Needed

By Stosh Cotler

The right to cast a vote is deeply cherished.

That’s one thing I learned 10 years ago when I went door-to-door, trying to engage heartbroken seniors in Florida who felt they had been cheated of their rights in previous elections. Next week – on June 25 – the Senate Judiciary Committee will at long last hold a hearing on this legislation. A large coalition of civic groups and faith groups is working to send a message that day and the days before and after. You can be part of that, too. Read More

News and Politics

Morning Jew: World Cup Fever! Naked Soccer Players! Favela evictions!

By Heather Gold and Katie Halper

World Cup fever with a special guest, Brazilian journalist Mariana Rebua Simoes – but is there a Jew on the pitch?

Arts and Culture

Summer Shorts: Call for Submissions!

By Sarah Marian Seltzer

Attention fiction writers! ZEEK is proud to be launching a new summer fiction series this July.

Life and Action

Lessons From the Field: Community Organizing vs. Community Building

By Rabbi Margie Klein Ronkin

Over the past decade, community organizing has become a buzz phrase in American culture –- embraced by the right and the left. As a grassroots organizer-turned-rabbi, I have dedicated much of the past eight years to trying to figure out the relationship between organizing and community building — and how the two might best support each other. Right now, congregations and community organizing groups have a lot to learn from each other.