Tag: Social Justice

“Diversity,” “Equity,” and “Inclusion” in MLK’s Words and in Jewish Thought

Open any newspaper, or click on any online news site, and, virtually every day, you will find descriptions of “DEI” as an extremely harmful phenomenon. ...
January 18, 2026 Ethics Inclusion

Victims and Victimizers: Acknowledging Our History of Slave Ownership on Passover

On Telling and Not Telling Our Full Story In Part 1, we spoke of the Passover Haggadah’s two origin stories. One, in accordance with Shmuel, ...
January 13, 2026 Passover

Victims and Victimizers: A Social Justice Reading of the Haggadah’s Two Origin Stories

On Telling and Not Telling Our Full Story The Passover Haggadah promotes two Jewish origin stories. The dominant story is Avadim hayinu, which relates how ...
January 13, 2026 Passover

Why Are So Many Transgender People Converting To Judaism?

In 2021-22, I interviewed 45 transgender Jews from across the US. Around 33% of participants had converted or were in the process of converting to ...
December 29, 2025 Conversion LGBTQ+

Hanukkah Against Hunger: A Dedication for Our Hanukkah Lighting

Join Exploring Judaism in providing food for all who are hungry this Hanukkah, dedicate your Hanukkah for Hunger.
, , December 11, 2025 Food Hanukkah

From Table To Topsoil: A Tu BiShvat Celebration

This Tu BiShvat, you're encouraged to think about celebrating by taking foods from table to topsoil--planting seeds you harvest on Tu BiShvat
December 10, 2025 Holidays Observing Tu Bishvat

Let the Tarmoda’i See: Hanukkah Candlelighting As Resistance

On Hanukkah we recall the story of the Maccabees. A small group of freedom fighters overcame the oppressive forces of the Syrian Greeks under King ...
December 2, 2025 Hanukkah Hanukkah Reflections
The American Altar

The American Altar

A poetic commentary and reflection on A Racial Justice Vidui/Confessional for 5785/2024's High Holiday Season.
, October 8, 2024 Yom Kippur Yom Kippur in Synagogue
A Social Justice Harachaman

A Social Justice HaRachaman

God wants us to act and open our hearts. This prayer reminds us that when we do justice work, we are doing G!d’s work.
September 23, 2024 Blessings Daily Living
A Racial Justice ViduiConfessional

A Racial Justice Vidui/Confessional

We offer this contemporary “Ashamnu,” confession, for this moment. Some of the sins are ours, others are part of society's complex systems.
September 23, 2024 High Holidays Holidays
Promoting Isaiah On Yom Kippur

Promoting Isaiah On Yom Kippur

Engaging with Operation Isaiah is a demand to eliminate the scourge of hunger. May we see the day when healthy food is available to all.
, September 23, 2024 Food High Holidays
Social Justice Commission High Holiday Reader 5785

Social Justice Commission High Holiday Reader 5785

Our tradition teaches: the sound of the shofar can literally break down the walls, both physical and spiritual. It can shatter complacency and indifference.
September 23, 2024 High Holidays Holidays
Approaching Tashlikh - Casting Off Racism

Approaching Tashlikh: Casting Off Racism

May our casting of the bread upon the waters lead to a concerted common effort to confront and confound racism throughout the New Year.
, September 23, 2024 High Holidays Holidays
Hagar Enslaved Woman

Hagar, Enslaved Woman

May these Days of Awe help us understand more deeply and act more forcefully on behalf of the enslaved and marginalized in our society.
, September 22, 2024 High Holidays Holidays
How Do We Continue the Work of Liberation Without Miracles?

How Do We Continue the Work of Liberation Without Miracles?

As we commemorate MLK Day, how can we support liberation in our communities? How do we continue the work of liberation without miracles?
April 5, 2024 Holidays Martin Luther King Jr. Day (US)
Slavery, Social Justice, and Family History

Slavery, Social Justice, and Family History

Reflecting on a "Pilgrimage to the South" on a Movement social justice trip as a Black Jew and how it has changed who I am.
March 27, 2024 Holidays Passover
Conversation with Martin Luther King at 1968 RA Convention

Conversation with Martin Luther King at 1968 RA Convention

At the 1968 Rabbinical Assembly convention, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke to assembled rabbis concerning how they can fight for justice.
January 10, 2024 Holidays Martin Luther King Jr. Day (US)
Bringing Juneteenth onto the Bimah

Bringing Juneteenth onto the Bimah

Bringing Juneteenth into synagogues signifies that Black Jews are not a footnote in the Jewish story but core parts of our communities.
, June 12, 2023 Holidays Juneteenth (US)
Juneteenth 5782: Kiddush Over Red Drink

Juneteenth 5782: Kiddush Over Red Drink

Gulienne Rollins-Rishon reflects on Juneteenth which commemorates the complete ending of legal slavery in the United States.
June 17, 2022 Holidays Juneteenth (US)
blurry image of a table with the words The Four Children and Racial Justice

The Four Children and Racial Justice

We approach the Haggadah at a time of profound racial reckoning in our country. How might the four children help us relate to racial justice?
April 6, 2022 Passover Passover Reflections