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RJ Blog

L’hitraot, for Now...

After four years of bringing you a new episode nearly every week, this podcast is taking a little break. Listen to this episode to learn more about our hiatus and where to find us in the meantime.

Most of us today aren’t tasked with wandering through the desert, like the ancient Israelites were... but we still find plenty to kvetch about! What if, instead of focusing on small annoyances, we turned to community-building and togetherness? This episode first aired in May 2018.

URJ Youth

Rushing to Joy

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Andy Gordon

jemerman September 13, 2023

September 30, 2023

During the final moments of Yom Kippur, as the sun begins to set and everyone in the sanctuary glances hesitantly at their watches for the conclusion of the N'ilah service, I look forward to reading one of my favorite passages from Mishkan HaNefesh, our Yom Kippur machzor.

The Story Doesn’t Change, But We Do

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Andy Gordon

jemerman September 13, 2023

October 7, 2023

During Sh'mini Atzeret/Simchat Torah, our readings address both endings and beginnings.

RJ Blog Social Justice

Shaping the Future

Shaping the Future jemerman October 3, 2023

Israel

While there are many days that hold great meaning for me, December 28, 2015 stands out. On that day, I arrived at the Interior Ministry in Jerusalem, signed several forms, and left gripping my blue teudat zehut (identity card). I was officially a citizen of the State of Israel.

Judgment Days

Judgment Days jemerman September 21, 2023

High Holidays

an image of a prayer book opened, two shofars and a tallit on a white wooden surface

Some label Rosh HaShanah and the period between the New Year and Yom Kippur as "Judgment Days," a time during which the trajectory of our lives for the coming year is reached.

RJ Blog Jewish Life

Supporting Survivors of Domestic Violence in the Jewish Community

Supporting Survivors of Domestic Violence in the Jewish Community jemerman October 28, 2022

Social Justice

White flag with purple ribbon on it representing domestic violence awareness

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) in the U.S. Each of us likely knows someone, either in our Jewish community or our secular communities, who has been impacted by or is a survivor of domestic violence.

Grow a Good Citizen

Grow a Good Citizen sdolgov August 15, 2022

Here are some ways to to make a difference by engaging voters and children.

RJ Blog Practice

Take a Tour of the Torah!

Take a Tour of the Torah! jemerman October 4, 2022

Torah usually refers to the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible - Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Running through these stories is the unique lens through which the Jewish people would come to view their world and their God.

Weaving Together Formal and Lived Jewish Education

Weaving Together Formal and Lived Jewish Education jemerman August 16, 2022

Education

Closeup of a Torah unscrolled on blue fabric

I'm a self-proclaimed book worm. Since I could read, my default setting has been to research anything new at the library before implementing it. However, adulthood has taught me that some of the best lessons are learned after acting and truly living, which is why Rabbi Yanklowitz's perspective so resonates with me. Even so, I always start new adventures by studying.

RJ Blog Learning

Enhancing Mitzvot on Simchat Torah with Three Nature Crafts for Children

Enhancing Mitzvot on Simchat Torah with Three Nature Crafts for Children jemerman September 18, 2023

Family Activities

an image of three young girls picking berries off a bush

As summer changes to autumn in St. Louis, we seek ways to find nature-based connections...

Simple Ways to Make Yom Kippur Meaningful at Home with Young Children

Simple Ways to Make Yom Kippur Meaningful at Home with Young Children jemerman September 13, 2023

Yom Kippur

an image of a toddler boy and girl playing while other kids watch in the background

As the high holidays approach, we are reminded that there are so many meaningful Jewish moments to celebrate. Within the joy and ruach (spirit) of holidays like Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot, and Simchat Torah, lies the solemn and serious Yom Kippur. There are a myriad of ways to make Yom Kippur meaningful for young children, for whom especially, Yom Kippur is not an easy holiday to understand.

RJ Blog Jewish Holidays

Shaping the Future

Shaping the Future jemerman October 3, 2023

Israel

What We Gain From Interfaith Dialogue: Project Understanding

What We Gain From Interfaith Dialogue: Project Understanding jemerman April 26, 2023

teens

an image of a group of students who participated in Project Understanding

What happens when you take six Jewish teens and six Catholic teens to Israel? This was the very question that Roger Tilles and the late Fr. Tom Hartman hoped to answer in 1988 when they organized Project Understanding.

RJ Blog

L’hitraot, for Now...

The Antidote to Kvetching

URJ Youth

Rushing to Joy

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Andy Gordon

The Story Doesn’t Change, But We Do

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Andy Gordon

On the Other Hand

Reform Movement Mourns the Death of Senator Dianne Feinstein

Reform Leaders Express Support for Israel’s Entry into the Visa Waiver Program

RJ Blog Social Justice

Shaping the Future

Judgment Days

RJ Blog Jewish Life

Supporting Survivors of Domestic Violence in the Jewish Community

Grow a Good Citizen

RJ Blog Practice

Take a Tour of the Torah!

Weaving Together Formal and Lived Jewish Education

RJ Blog Learning

Enhancing Mitzvot on Simchat Torah with Three Nature Crafts for Children

Simple Ways to Make Yom Kippur Meaningful at Home with Young Children

RJ Blog Jewish Holidays

Shaping the Future

What We Gain From Interfaith Dialogue: Project Understanding

RJ Blog Israel

Torah commentaries

URJ Press Releases

Torah

Sukkot

Simchat

Hannukkah

Shabbat

Parenting