This past Spring, two publications were released that challenge the meaning and value of “Zionism.” The first was a paper by Steven M Cohen and Ari Kelman, well-known Jewish social scientists. They reported that in a broad-based survey of American Jews, 82% regarded themselves as “pro-Israel” but only 28% thought of themselves as “Zionists.” While we don’t have figures from a generation ago, I suspect that for most us, in the 40 years since 1967, being “pro-Israel” also meant that we considered ourselves, at least to some extent, “Zionists.” (more)
This past year I’ve been fascinated by a growing interest in what’s been called “A New Atheism.” I find it remarkable that from apparently nowhere have come five national bestselling books, whose authors now regularly write opinion essays in newspapers and magazines, and appear in television interviews. They are ‘rebels with a cause’, as they attack both religions specifically, and our religious culture generally. I’m referring to Christopher Hitchens: God is Not Great , Sam Harris: Letter to a Christian Nation, and The End of Faith, Richard Dawkins: The God Delusion, and Daniel Dennett: Breaking the Spell. (more)
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"Paratactic Creation" Rosh Hashanah II 2007
Our Torah reading for this second day of Rosh Hashana is not traditional. It is only our Reform machzor, Gates of Repentance, that has decided that we will read the first chapter of Genesis on the second day of the year! It is, nevertheless, an obvious choice! Our Jewish calendar declares this to be the new year of 5768. Calculating back through Scripture, rabbinic tradition determined that 5,768 years ago Wednesday evening, God said "y'hee or-There will be light". This then is the anniversary of creation, the birthday of the world. What better reading from Torah could there be, but chapter one of Genesis?! Though asked rhetorically, it does raise a real question! (more)
In the summer of 1973 Barb and I were in the heart of Mississippi, working at the Southeast Regional Reform summer camp. A Rabbinic student then , I was the camp program director and Barb ran the office. I remember vividly the opening day of the first session: as cars would drive in through the gates, the backseat doors would burst open with eager and excited new campers-some anxiously looking for old friends, others a bit overwhelmed by so much activity. My job was to welcome each car, introduce myself as the Program Director, and direct them to parking and registration. As I finished instructing one parent, their little boy, probably eight or nine ears old, slipped out of the car and walked up to me saying, with a thick southern drawl "Excuse me sir-are all of these folks Jews?" I told him yes. "All o'them?" he asked, pointing to a hundred or so milling parents and campers and counselors. "All of them" I told him. "I can't believe it", he whispered to me, "I've never seen so many Jews, all in one place." (more)
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"Interfaith Surprises" Yom Kippur 2007
Last year on this Yom Kippur morning I told you I would no longer be a partner in Muslim-Jewish dialogue. I had become frustrated by what I found to be less-than honest and forthright discussions with Muslim clergy. And that hasn't changed. I've thought a lot about Jewish/Muslim dialogue, trying to put my finger on what exactly troubles me. And while our obvious and opposing positions on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict presents a major discussion obstacle, there are I think two foundational problems beyond the political: one is theological and the other attitudinal. (more)
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