Life and Action

Afterthoughts: Making Memory Matter after the Ferguson Weekend of Resistance & Sukkot

By Sarah Barasch-Hagans

As I chanted along with the leaders, “We young, we strong, we marching all night long,” I remembered that remembering is holy, but only if the remembering leads us to a better reality….. And in that moment I knew that the fight will take a long time, but that it is built on love, and that is why it will win.

News and Politics

The Slingshot Guide Turns 10: Questions for Will Schneider

By Erica Brody

Earlier this week, the Slingshot Fund released its annual Slingshot Guide, a “resource for Jewish innovation.” We reached out to Will Schneider, executive director of Slingshot, to talk about how the Jewish innovation arena has evolved in the 10 years since Slingshot began creating its guides — and where we still need to see change, especially when it comes to philanthropy and engaging Jews in social justice.

News and Politics

DC DISPATCH Hold Your Breath: Upcoming Supreme Court Cases Worth Watching

By Sammie Moshenberg

You could be forgiven if you perused the docket for the 2014-15 US Supreme Court term and yawned. To be sure, there are important cases, but the lineup so far lacks the hot-button attention-grabbers, with issues like marriage equality, abortion rights, health care, and voting rights largely absent from the list. Even so, it’s worth paying attention this term. Here’s why.

Faith and Practice

Inside the Looking Glass: Writing My Way Through Two Very Different Jewish Journeys

By Erica Hellerstein

A Catholic woman’s ancient Jewish blood calls to her. Her spiritual story, so different than my own, calls to me, forcing me to think more deeply about my own Jewish journey. My path may never lead to temple or God, but it’s definitely Jewish and definitely leading somewhere.

Faith and Practice

What Is Mine? Finding Humbleness, Not Entitlement, in Shmita

By Shuli Passow

The Moroccan-born 18th-century biblical commentator Or HaHayim (Hayim ben Attar) insightfully observed that the reality of war in the world causes fear and pain, even to those who do not reside in the war zone but who live lives of material comfort and safety.

This insight mirrors my experience and emotional state as we begin 5775: While deeply grateful for the abundance of blessings in my life, I don’t feel at peace given current events and the suffering that persists in our world.

And so I’ve kept Or HaHayim’s words in mind, with the hope that we may all be able to approach this season next year with a greater sense of security, calm and blessing in our own lives and throughout the world.

Arts and Culture

Morning Jew: High Holidays & the HinJew Connection with Samhita Mukhopadhyay

By Heather Gold and Katie Halper

Special guest Samhita Mukhopadhyay – former Feministing executive director –- joins Morning Jew comic duo Katie Halper and Heather Gold.

Faith and Practice

Engaging With the Days of Awe: A Personal Writing Ritual in Five Questions

By David Wolkin

I’ve spent a lot of time trying to figure out the whole repentance thing over the years, and I’d like to think I’ve gotten better at it. The enormity of the ideas behind Yom Kippur is tough for me. If you look at the language of the prayers themselves, they’re more than a little scary.

Faith and Practice

The Internet Confessional Goes to the Goats

By Esther D. Kustanowitz

How sharing our sins, one Tweet at a time, can remind us that we are all human, flawed, and susceptible to daily corruptions. In the age of (public) guilt, a Jewish season to revisit our bad decisions, and make better choices in the days and months ahead.

Arts and Culture

Morning Jew: Genetics, Intermarriage, and Guest “Screaming Latke” Lisa Brown

By Heather Gold and Katie Halper

Special guest author-illustrator Lisa Brown — The Latke Who Couldn’t Stop Screaming and Baby, Make Me a Drink — rejoins Morning Jew comic duo Katie Halper and Heather Gold.