My head is spinning. My first 36 hours at the ISTE 2011 conference have left me intellectually exhausted. And my feet hurt. I need to tell you that the Philadelphia Convention Center is BIG. Really. So what have I learned that I can share with you? Well, let’s frame it in this context: What are […]
Torah Commentary – Korah
The Torah Portion, Korah, continues the theme of questioning and distrust of God’s word by the children of Israel and their leaders. In previous Portions, rebellion and lack of faith have been met with divine punishment. God has commanded that the adult generation of complaining, disbelieving Israelites will not be allowed to enter the Promised […]
Flying Into the Cloud
There’s something about airports. I find them exciting. For me I think they represent travelling into the unknown. I mean I know that I’m flying to Philadelphia to participate in the ISTE11 (International Society for Technology in Education) conference, but I’m not exactly certain what to expect. That’s a thrilling prospect. What I understand is […]
Challenging Conventional Wisdom
One of the blogs I follow is Jewschool.com– a site that presents fascinating, and at times challenging, perspectives of the current and future state of Judaism. I just read this piece by Dan Ab questioning conventional wisdom and the view that Day School education is the primary Jewish educational tool. The writer reiterates the point […]
Welcome to Honest To God
Welcome to this new blog about Judaism, the religion of the Jewish people. I’m writing from the Upper West Side of Manhattan, the capital of the Diaspora, at the corner of West End Avenue and 100th Street at Congregation Ansche Chesed. I serve as rabbi to this exciting community, a Conservative synagogue which is intellectually vigorous, […]
Refocusing the Conversation
http://jewschool.com/2011/06/20/26447/guest-post-refocusing-the-conversation/
by
Jonah Geffen, Rabbinical Student
Kelly Cohen, Jewish Educator
Jonah Geffen, Rabbinical Student
Kelly Cohen, Jewish Educator
We are trapped in a discourse that has no logical end. It has been asserted that the knowledge and life experience of the current generation of Rabbinical students with regard to Israel is cause for great concern and fear. The deans and Presidents of Rabbinical schools have responded to the contrary, stating that though perhaps more willing to “wrestle” with Israel, these students are wise and committed. And yet, this entire conversation remains shallow and paternalistic. The debate has been devoted strictly to the students, their teachers and the methods by which they are chosen and taught. We believe this discourse to be fundamentally flawed. We note with dismay that this conversation about Diaspora Jews and our relationship to Israel has left out Israel, its choices and actions.
Shabbat Commentary – Sh’lach L’cha
This Shabbat, one of my daughters took her oldest daughter to the Bat Mitzah of a friend. My daughter was troubled by the Torah Portion, Sh’lach L’cha, specifically the account of the man who was stoned to death at God’s command for collecting wood on Shabbat. (Numbers 15: 32-36)“What kind of a God is this?” […]
Korach Limerick
This week’s torah portion tells the story of Korach, who tried to wrest power from Moses along with his partners, Dotan and Abiram and 150 other leaders of the community. Korach says: “You’ve gone too far, [Moses], for ALL of the people are holy. Why do you raise yourself up above God’s congregation?” Ultimately, Korach and […]
Shelach Lecha Limerick
In this week’s parasha, Shelach Lecha, Moses sends 12 spies to scout out the land of Canaan. They spend 40 days and nights in the land (a familiar number, yes?) and return bearing fruits – grapes pomegranates and figs so large that it takes two people to carry them. 10 of the spies report that […]
Shabbat Commentary – B’haalot’cha
Travelling is stressful – especially with children. There are instructions to go over (and over!), rules to follow, schedules to coordinate. Mom and Dad are trying to pack the suitcases, load the car. “Did we take the boarding passes, the cell phone charger?” “Are the doors locked?” “Where is Junior’s allergy medicine?”And the kids have […]
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