Just a few weeks ago we celebrated Hanukkah, our festival of lights, which commemorates the rededication of the Temple after it had been desecrated by our foes. As I watched images yesterday afternoon of that mob storming the United States Capitol, I thought of the Temple. I have always felt a sense of awe when visiting the Capitol, the White House, the Supreme Court, or the Lincoln Memorial. These are sacred spaces, not just for us as Americans, but for peoples all over the world who see our nation as a beacon of light and hope. Yesterday’s events were a desecration, a sacrilege. Photos and video of the attack included images of participants inside our nation’s Capitol waving confederate flags, a man wearing a sweatshirt with “Camp Auschwitz” printed above an image of a skull and crossbones with the phrase “work brings freedom” printed below, and Capitol police standing behind [...]

Gary Rudoren is an actor and writer, known for A Really Lapsed Catholic (comedy special) (2020), Comedy by the Numbers (2009) and Brainwarp: The Baby Eater (1993). In the latest episode of Search for Meaning, he chats with Rabbi Yoshi about comedy, theatre, his time in Israel, and much more. LISTEN NOW

 Hagar, Sarah, and R.B.G. by Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback Our Torah reading for Rosh HaShanah relates the story of Sarah and Abraham sending Hagar and Ishmael out of their home. As you’ll remember, this first Jewish couple was initially unable to conceive. Hagar serves as a surrogate, giving birth to Ishmael, Abraham’s first born son.  Years later, God fulfills the promise made long ago to Abraham and Sarah. As the first line of today’s portion makes clear: וַֽיהוָ֛ה פָּקַ֥ד אֶת־שָׂרָ֖ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר אָמָ֑ר “God remembered Sarah as God had promised…” Sarah conceives - miraculously, she’s 90 years old - and gives birth to Isaac. Some time later, she sees Isaac and Ishmael playing together and for some reason - not made entirely clear by the Torah - she asks her husband Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away which, though troubled about, he does. Abraham gives them some bread and water [...]

Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner is the Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism - as such, he is the leading voice in our movement for tikkun olam, social justice, and for creating a better world. In a meaningful pre-High Holy Days discussion, Rabbi Pesner spoke with Rabbi Yoshi about Israel and the UAE, racial justice and engagement with Jews of color, voting rights in America, and so much more. LISTEN NOW