Parashat Emor: Embodied Leadership and Its Discontents
In Parashat Emor (Leviticus 21-24), read this past week in synagogues around the world, we are introduced to the relatives for whom Kohanim (priests) are permitted to mourn, as well as a list of various classes of priests who, owing to a mum (blemish), are barred from performing the sacrificial service in the Mishkan (Leviticus [...]
Towards Acceptance, Holiness and Removing Stumbling Blocks
This week, we are once again reading Parashat Kedoshim (Leviticus 19:1-20:27). Biblical scholars commonly refer to these two chapters of Leviticus as the holiness code due to the numerous interpersonal commandments (mitzvot) that are found within. These mitzvot form the foundation of Torah and are applicable to everyone. In addition to loving our neighbor as [...]
Reviewing Project Conversion by Andrew Bowen
I have always held a singular fascination for the spiritual life—perhaps it is due to my generally introverted nature and love of study as a spiritual practice—but the path of the seeker, and the raw, unmediated chronicling of the spiritual journey is one to which I relate deeply, if at times vicariously. It was thus [...]
From Inclusion to Integration
This month, the Jewish community is marking Jewish Disability Awareness Month, as it has since February 2008. Throughout February, congregations and communal organizations of all stripes will be holding programs, special prayer services, text studies and the like, all with the overarching goal of raising awareness about issues and concerns that people with disabilities face [...]
Shabbat Shira and the Power of a Nigun
In addition to being Tu Bishvat—The New Year for the Trees, a minor holiday which has been increasing in significance due to its environmental and Kabbalistic themes, this past Shabbat happened also to be Shabbat Shira or the Shabbat of Song. Shabbat Shira is one of several Shabbatot throughout the year with special names which [...]
Online Clergy In the Age of I-everything
This past week, The Jewish Daily Forward published an article entitled, “Online Ordained Rabbis Grab Pulpits.” This article profiles several synagogues who, in this difficult economic climate, have chosen to hire rabbis who were ordained by online, non-traditional seminaries which very few are familiar with and whose qualifications for ordination differ quite significantly from those [...]
The Presence and Absence of Women: Reflections Upon The Rape of Dinah
In this week’s parsha, Parashat Vayishlach, we read one of the Torah’s most difficult and upsetting narratives—the rape of Dinah, the only daughter born to Jacob and Leah, by Shechem, the son of Hamor, the local Hivite chieftain. We know very little of Dinah’s life aside from this heart wrenching account. Our Midrash, as it [...]
Yom Kippur Drash
This drash was given at Minyan Segulah in Washington, D.C. Shanah tovah. Yom Kippur is often characterized as being a day of great solemnity but also great joy. The Seder Avodah, which we will be reciting momentarily, speaks to both of these themes. Avodah is, for so many of us, the most perplexing and confusing [...]
Reflections on Elul and Rosh Hashanah
We are nearly halfway through the month of Elul, the final month of the Jewish year. With Elul’s arrival, we usher in a period of personal introspection, repentance and spiritual renewal, which takes us through the High Holidays of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, Judaism’s holiest day. [...]
A Drash on this week’s Parsha, Parashat Pinchas
The daughters of Zelophehad—Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah—are first mentioned in the 27th chapter of the Book of Numbers. Their bold and necessary petition to Moses changed the laws of inheritance so that they would be more just for women. Zelophehad’s daughters have served as an inspiration to many and their tenacity and determination [...]
Lauren Tuchman
Lauren 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.
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Contributing Scholars
Ted DedonSeminarian in the City of New York. I come from the land of the ice and snow (and 10,000 lakes). It's Nice.
Sai KolluruSenior, majoring in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Case Western Reserve University. Founder of a Hindu organization on campus that works to practice and preserve Sanatana Dharmic principles and values with the final goal of Seva, Selfless Service, through interfaith collaboration.
Jessica JoslinJessica Joslin is a Ph.D. student studying Higher Education at the University of Michigan. Jess is also in the ordination process in the United Church of Christ and has a Masters of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School.