Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch shares his grief over the crushing loss of the six Israeli hostages and prays for the speedy return of the hostages still alive in captivity.

“Our shofar blast is a cry of grief,” says Rabbi Samantha Natov, as we enter Elul heartbroken over the brutal and senseless murder of the six hostages. May they rest in peace. While we wait…

In this week’s parashah, God commands, ‘See, this day I set before you blessing and curse.’ Rabbi Dalia Samansky asks, “What does it mean to SEE rather than HEAR?” She explains, “To be rendered invisible…

Recognizing that “many of the anti-Zionist Gen Z Jews are lost to us,” Rabbis Ammi Hirsch and Tracy Kaplowitz organized the first Reform Birthright trip to Israel in years. “Something wonderful about sharing a bus…

Rabbi Rena Rifkin recalls a late night spent with the 10-year-olds in URJ Eisner Camp’s Bunk 13, answering their “poignant, perceptive, and powerful” questions about Israel. “Our children have so many thoughts and feelings,” says…

Our Talmudic rabbis spent copious amounts of time theorizing about why the First and Second Temples fell, says Rabbi Dalia Samansky ahead of Tisha b’Av. “But as much as we try to find reasons, we…

Most of the 12 spies Moses sent to scout the Promised Land returned in fear. But unlike the others, Joshua insisted, “We should go forth.” “His hope and faith enabled him to persevere with courage…

“This week, we were treated to a master class in leadership,” says Rabbi Dalia Samansky. When tasked with anointing a new leader, Moses did not cling to his role or pass it on to his…

Hired to curse the Israelites, Balam approaches the Israelites’ encampment, but he unexpectedly utters a blessing… “Moments have the potential to go either way,” says Rabbi Samantha Natov. “Inside all of us are competing inclinations.”…

We often hear Pirkei Avot quoted: “You are not obligated to complete the task, but neither are you free to abandon it,” says Rabbi Dalia Samansky. While generally used in social justice circles, this quote…