A Passover NiggunBy Dan Yolles My name is Dan Yolles and I am one of the Be Mitzvah educators here at Judaism Your Way as well as a Rabbinical Student in the ALEPH Ordination Program. As we are approaching Passover, one of Judaism’s major holidays that recounts the Israelite’s Exodus from Egypt or in Hebrew,… Read More from A Passover Niggun
Find Yourself a TeacherBy Rabbi Amanda Schwartz On reflection of International Women’s Day, 2022 “Find yourself a teacher, acquire for yourself a friend.”(Pirke Avot 1:6) The Mishnah, one of the most ancient sources of Jewish wisdom teaches to “Find yourself a teacher, acquire for yourself a friend.” As someone who feels passionately about education and… Read More from Find Yourself a Teacher
Jewish Wisdom ProjectsBy Amy Kopkin Atkins In recent history, Judaism has asked emerging adolescents to demonstrate their Jewish adult”ness” by leading a Shabbat service. How does leading a Shabbat service transform you into a Jewish adult? Where is the practical significance? The meaning? The meaning is actually in the leading. It’s about holding space for… Read More from Jewish Wisdom Projects
Blessing for the BrokenheartedBy Amy Leszman Grief, along with death, seem to have been constant companions for many of us these last few years. With coronavirus rampaging across the world and death tolls rising, we have become more familiar, or perhaps even more desensitized, to the overwhelming loss of life. Grief has been close to… Read More from Blessing for the Brokenhearted
The Power of a Nigun (Wordless Melody) By Dan Yolles Sometimes when I am in a space or a moment of transition, I sing/play a niggun. I find it to be medicinal and an important practice in my life that has helped me in so many ways. While I have had numerous spiritual and even… Read More from The Power of a Nigun (Wordless Melody)
Feeling Like a Kid AgainBy Jeremy Anderson Two weeks ago, I was lucky enough to zip down to Louisiana for 48 hours to celebrate my younger brother’s birthday. We’re just 2 years apart and shared a bedroom until I was 12 years old. People used to think we were twins – that’s how close we… Read More from Feeling Like a Kid Again
Mensch-ology: The Study of Being A Good PersonBy Amy Kopkin Atkins Judaism Your Way’s Open Tent Be Mitzvah program focuses on students Being and Becoming Jewish adults. That seems weird?! They won’t be able to drive a car for two or three years; they won’t be able to vote for another five; and probably until… Read More from Mensch-ology: The Study of Being A Good Person
What are your favorite moments with people in our community this past year? My favorite moment was the first Be Mitzvah that I officiated in-person, safely, outside. Which felt like such a joy and I was so proud of my student who was both nervous and excited. And she rocked it. It was awesome to… Read More from An Interview with Rabbi Caryn Aviv
An Ingrained Act of InclusionBy Rabbi Amanda Schwartz Last week we concluded the holiday of Hanukkah, in which we add more and more light each of the eight nights. Ingrained in the holiday is an act of inclusion, adding a “shamash” a helper candle to the Hanukkah candles. If you think back to days pre-electricity,… Read More from An Ingrained Act of Inclusion
What are your favorite moments with people in our community this past year? At a recent Be Mitzvah celebration, the Be Mitzvah mom shared a very moving story about how her dad, the grandfather of the Be Mitzvah children, when he was a child. He came from an interfaith family, at a young age, he… Read More from An Interview with Rabbi Amanda Schwartz