These words can be found in Mishkan T’filah, the Reform movement’s prayerbook, on page 165, but their true origin is more obscure.

כֹּל עוֹד בַּלֵּבָב פְּנִימָה נֶפֶשׁ יְהוּדִי הוֹמִיָּה. As long as in the heart, within, The soul of a Jew still yearns, And onward, towards the ends of the east, an eye still gazes toward   Zion; Our hope is not yet lost, The hope of two thousand years, To be a free people in our land, The land of Zion and   Jerusalem.  It is a strange choice for a national anthem. The haunting melody, the longing, somber lyrics. No rockets’ red glare or bombs bursting in air, no “ jour de

In case you’re not familiar with this song, here’s a little background. Zum Gali Gali, also known as the “Israeli Work Song,” was written so

The moment of redemption has finally arrived. This week, our parashah is Bo, which literally means “Come,” but should really be called...

I was tempted to give a D’var Torah tonight on this week’s Torah portion, Korach, which is a dramatic story about the thirst for power...

He explains, “We have all heard it a thousand times. Christianity is about love, we are told, but Judaism is about…something else, like law,

August 9, 2024 I’m sure I wasn’t the only Jewish nerd kvelling when I heard a politician quoting the Mishnah this week. Even though Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro wasn’t selected to be Kamala Harris’s vice-president, the fact that he was a contender was exciting – and anxiety-provoking – for many American Jews. What was also heartening was that Governor Shapiro is proud of his Jewish heritage, and knowledgeable about Jewish teachings, or at least one Jewish teaching. Here

Last Shabbat, I jokingly said I’d save politics at least until my second week on the job...