Progressive Judaism

Please email me at [email protected] with specific questions, and join Wrestling with Torah for live classes and events at WrestlingwithTorah.org/live!                  

[progressivejudaism]

This brought me a lot of much needed pre-Shabbat joy!  This is a clip from Israel’s Got Talent of a ventriloquist who uses an Uri Geller puppet in his performance!  Uri Geller is a famous Israeli mentalist– he claims that he could read minds, bend silverware with his mind, etc. 

(Don’t worry, the performance is half in Hebrew, half in English and the performer does an excellent job at making sure English speakers still know that he is saying!)

As a Jewish magician who also dabbles in mentalism, this brings me a lot of good feels!

[yidquotes]

The work of racial justice is not only for People of Color; it is something everyone must be engaged in. Most Jews of Color are happy to be engaged in racial justice, whether professionally, personally, or a mix of both. However, we find too often the burden of the work falls on our shoulders. The work of racial justice cannot only fall to Jews of Color. Instead, all Jews who are engaged in tikkun olam, repairing the world, should be engaged in the work of racial justice. Following the leadership of Jews of Color, white Jews must recognize their own personal interest in fighting to dismantle racist systems. When white Jews commit to racial justice work, it better allows Jews of Color to take time for self-care by stepping away from the work or focusing on a different issue. As Rabbi Tarfon writes in Pirke Avot 2:21, “It is not your responsibility to finish the work of perfecting the world, but you are not free to desist from it either.”

The Jewish Multiracial Network

[progressivejudaism]

What are examples of little acts of kindness each of us can do for another each day?

[wrestlingwithtorah]

All are welcome! Jewish! Not Jewish! Kind of Jewish! Jewish-adjacent! All are welcome!

Financially Accessible Option Available via the Wrestling with Torah Discord.

Contribute and Register here!

In Jewish Tradition, the concept of 'sin' doesn't necessarily mean what you think it means: and it can be a transformational concept that helps us to become better versions of ourselves.

In Hebrew, the words often translated as "sin" does mean all of the negative things our culture associates with the word, but it also means so much more. Everything from a "misstep" or an "oops," to a spiritual moment to make amends and learn from this particular experience.

Come join Rabbi Gischner as we begin the spiritual process of reflecting on our year as we celebrate the first of Elul together, to reflect on who we have been and who we are becoming as we enter the new year of 5784 together.

[wrestlingwithtorah]

All are welcome! Jewish! Not Jewish! Kind of Jewish! Jewish-adjacent! All are welcome!

Financially Accessible Option Available via the Wrestling with Torah Discord.

Contribute and Register here!

In Jewish Tradition, the concept of 'sin' doesn't necessarily mean what you think it means: and it can be a transformational concept that helps us to become better versions of ourselves.

In Hebrew, the words often translated as "sin" does mean all of the negative things our culture associates with the word, but it also means so much more. Everything from a "misstep" or an "oops," to a spiritual moment to make amends and learn from this particular experience.

Come join Rabbi Gischner as we begin the spiritual process of reflecting on our year as we celebrate the first of Elul together, to reflect on who we have been and who we are becoming as we enter the new year of 5784 together.

[wrestlingwithtorah]

Let There Be Light: Where Science, Religion, and Justice Colide

Light has fascinated Jewish storytellers for centuries, and continues to inspire us to build a more just world.

Tuesday, August 1 · 7 - 8:30pm EDT

All are welcome! If you are amazed by science, inspired by light, and find the fight for justice and equity a meaningful part of your life: you should come to this special class.

[progressivejudaism]

If I wrote a book, what do you think I would write it on?

- Rabbi Josh

[wrestlingwithtorah]

Let There Be Light: Where Science, Religion, and Justice Colide

Light has fascinated Jewish storytellers for centuries, and continues to inspire us to build a more just world.

Tuesday, August 1 · 7 - 8:30pm EDT

All are welcome! If you are amazed by science, inspired by light, and find the fight for justice and equity a meaningful part of your life: you should come to this special class.

[progressivejudaism]

This brought me a lot of much needed pre-Shabbat joy!  This is a clip from Israel’s Got Talent of a ventriloquist who uses an Uri Geller puppet in his performance!  Uri Geller is a famous Israeli mentalist– he claims that he could read minds, bend silverware with his mind, etc. 

(Don’t worry, the performance is half in Hebrew, half in English and the performer does an excellent job at making sure English speakers still know that he is saying!)

As a Jewish magician who also dabbles in mentalism, this brings me a lot of good feels!

[progressivejudaism]

“Strangers Like Me” from Disney’s Tarzan sung in Hebrew

[progressivejudaism]

[wrestlingwithtorah]

Let There Be Light: Where Science, Religion, and Justice Colide

Light has fascinated Jewish storytellers for centuries, and continues to inspire us to build a more just world.

Tuesday, August 1 · 7 - 8:30pm EDT

All are welcome! If you are amazed by science, inspired by light, and find the fight for justice and equity a meaningful part of your life: you should come to this special class.

[wrestlingwithtorah]

Let There Be Light: Where Science, Religion, and Justice Colide

Light has fascinated Jewish storytellers for centuries, and continues to inspire us to build a more just world.

Tuesday, August 1 · 7 - 8:30pm EDT

All are welcome! If you are amazed by science, inspired by light, and find the fight for justice and equity a meaningful part of your life: you should come to this special class.

[progressivejudaism]

Rugrats Yom Kippur Episode

Scene: The Rugrats are sitting in the living room, watching TV.

Tommy: I’m so excited for Yom Kippur!

Chuckie: What’s Yom Kippur?

Tommy: It’s a Jewish holiday where we ask God for forgiveness for our sins.

Phil: That sounds scary.

Tommy: It’s not scary, it’s just a time to think about how we can be better people.

Lil: I’m going to ask God to forgive me for hitting Angelica.

Stu: That’s a good start, Lil.

Dil: I’m going to ask God to forgive me for eating all of Grandpa’s cookies.

Stu: That’s also a good start, Dil.

Chuckie: I don’t know what to ask God for forgiveness for.

Tommy: You can ask God for forgiveness for anything you’ve done wrong, even if it’s small.

Chuckie: Okay, I’ll ask God for forgiveness for not sharing my toys.

Stu: That’s a good start, Chuckie.

The Rugrats continue to watch TV.

Later that day, the Rugrats are at synagogue.

Rabbi: Today is Yom Kippur, a day of atonement. It is a time to reflect on our actions and ask God for forgiveness.

The Rugrats listen to the rabbi’s sermon.

Rabbi: We all make mistakes, but it is important to ask for forgiveness and try to do better.

The Rugrats think about the things they have done wrong.

Rabbi: Yom Kippur is a time to start fresh. Let us all go into the new year with a clean slate.

The Rugrats say goodbye to the rabbi and leave the synagogue.

On the way home, the Rugrats talk about what they learned at synagogue.

Tommy: I learned that it’s important to ask for forgiveness for our sins.

Chuckie: I learned that it’s important to try to do better.

Phil: I learned that Yom Kippur is a time to start fresh.

The Rugrats arrive home and go inside.

Tommy: I’m glad we went to synagogue today. I learned a lot.

Chuckie: Me too. I feel better now.

The Rugrats go to bed, feeling happy and ready to start the new year.

[Created via Google Bard]

[progressivejudaism]

“We are G-d’s partners in sustaining the world.”

— Finding G-d: Selected Responses, by Rifat Sonsino and Daniel B. Syme (via yidspiration)

[wrestlingwithtorah]

Let There Be Light: Where Science, Religion, and Justice Colide

Light has fascinated Jewish storytellers for centuries, and continues to inspire us to build a more just world.

Tuesday, August 1 · 7 - 8:30pm EDT

All are welcome! If you are amazed by science, inspired by light, and find the fight for justice and equity a meaningful part of your life: you should come to this special class.

[wrestlingwithtorah]

Let There Be Light: Where Science, Religion, and Justice Colide

Light has fascinated Jewish storytellers for centuries, and continues to inspire us to build a more just world.

Tuesday, August 1 · 7 - 8:30pm EDT

All are welcome! If you are amazed by science, inspired by light, and find the fight for justice and equity a meaningful part of your life: you should come to this special class.