Death of a Legend: Judaism and Steve Jobs
Many have heard me joke, “I have two religions: Judaism and Apple.” In Jerusalem last summer, I purchased a kippah with the “Think Different” Apple logo embroidered on its black, velvety surface as a way of signifying the coming together of the two. While this statement is mostly said in jest (though I actually did buy the kippah), it is true that when I speak of Apple, I am often overcome with the same kind of deep, glowing passion as when I speak of my tremendous love for Judaism. As a seminary student, it is difficult for me to admit this–blasphemous, even. And, usually, I would never do so…especially in writing. However, today is different…today, my defenses are down…today, I am trying to find words…
When a hero dies, the hero becomes a legend. But what happens when one who is a legend dies?
Saying Kaddish for 9/11
On Friday night, as Shabbat evening services were coming to a close, one of the minyan leaders stood up before the final recitation of the Mourner’s Kaddish. He said, “As you know, Sunday will mark the tenth anniversary of the attacks of September 11th. As such, it marks the tenth yahrzeit of about 3,000 people. For those of you who feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to stand and to say kaddish on their behalf, as a way of honoring their memories.” With that, we stood. “Yit’gadal v’yit’kadash sh’mei raba…” We spoke these words in unison, slowly and carefully. Chills ran through my body. The surface of my skin awakened with goosebumps. I was overcome with emotion. Together, we remembered, and we mourned.
Lyrical Wisdom of John Legend
My summer experience working as a hospital chaplain taught me how to listen, and the sacred space that can emerge from slowing down and embracing the Divine the comes from the stories shared by one another.
Taking a Divine Breath
The topic for my seminar class on the evening of November 8th was “Forgiveness and Reconciliation.” We sat around the table that night discussing the various theological perspectives on the topic, commenting on the many theories proposed by top scholars in the field, and offering our own insights into the intellectual conversation at large. We [...]
A Baptismal Promise
I was raised in the church. Like a good, cradle Presbyterian, I was baptized as an infant, went to Sunday School regularly, sang in the choir, completed Confirmation, participated in service trips with my youth group, and was even ordained as an Elder during my senior year of high school. Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church has always been [...]
Elizabeth Bonney
Elizabeth is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity degree from Yale Divinity School. Although she recently converted to Judaism, she comes from an ecumenical background; she was raised in the Presbyterian Church (USA), attended a Catholic high school, and graduated from a Baptist college, where she took interest in interfaith dialogue, gender studies, and equality advocacy.
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Contributing Scholars
Lauren TuchmanLauren graduated from the Jewish Theological Seminary in May of 2011 with a Master of Arts in Judaic Studies and holds a BA in religion from Dickinson College. Lauren's interests include the intersection between religion and disability and religion and gender studies.
Jacob KohlhaasI am a PhD student in Systematic Theology at Duquesne University (Pittsburgh, PA); my BA is from Wartburg College (Waverly, IA), and MA is from Catholic Theological Union (Chicago, IL). A Roman Catholic who spent several years employed by Lutherans, my interests are in Ecumenism, Theological Anthropology, and Environmentalism.
SujatoBhante Sujato is a Buddhist monk from Australia. He ordained and practiced in the Thai forest meditation tradition before setting up Santi Forest Monastery near Sydney, Australia. He is a historical scholar of early Buddhism and has published a number of books, which may be found at santipada.org. He is deeply involved in the interfaith and environmental movements in Australia, and is well known as an advocate for women's rights, especially the full ordination of women in Buddhism.