My spring break: from faith clubs to the interfaith social movement
Last year, while I was still a student in rabbinical school and serving as advisor to Jewish students at Haverford College, I helped to organize and staff an Interfaith Encounters alternative spring break trip run by the Interfaith Center of Greater Philadelphia. I found the experience so meaningful that even though I no longer serve [...]
For the Love of Stories
“Why did God create human beings? Because God loves stories.” This is what Elie Wiesel concluded based on his studies of Jewish literature, and I love the idea, even though I must be a real disappointment to God since I can’t seem to tell stories, at least not orally. My relationships with friends, colleagues and [...]
After Newtown, a Divine Name for Right Now
The tragic events of last week occurred while Jews were reading a section of the story of Joseph and his brothers which is bursting with bereavement. As I read it through the lens of midrash, this ancient story not only echoes our pain, but may also offer us some hope and guidance. The part of [...]
Let there be light
The disturbing recent news about the bloody protests in the Arab world incited by a video defaming the Prophet Muhammad remind me of a story associated with Rosh Hashanah, which begins on Sunday at sundown. When Rosh Hashanah begins, the Jewish calendar will enter the year 5773. According to the tradition, exactly 5773 years ago, [...]
“OMG Judaism Can Be So Awkward!”
The season of one-night stands with Judaism draws nigh. Next month, countless Jews will go to synagogues for the High Holy Days (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur) and then take a respite from Judaism until it’s time to light Hanukkah candles or enjoy a Passover seder. Someone: “I went out with your friend Judaism.” Me: [...]
Rabbi (or) Da-da
The Shabbat before last was undoubtedly the best day my daughter Tina and I have spent together since I started my first job as a rabbi a few weeks ago. Saturday morning we took a walk together—Tina, who is almost two, watched older children and I watched Tina. Then we bounced up and down on [...]
The Truth, So Help Us God?
In a world that bombards us with information from every side, it can be surprisingly difficult to find truth. This past weekend many Jews celebrated Shavuot, the holiday commemorating God giving the Israelites the Torah at Mt. Sinai. While I don’t believe this happened in the way it’s vividly described in chapters 19 and 20 of [...]
Love Slave
With Passover swiftly approaching and visions of macaroons and escaping slaves dancing in my head, I had an unusual spate of freedom last weekend. My partner and I do all of our toddler T’s childcare (with ample assistance from angelic grandparents!) and we share equally, but with my partner and T out of town for [...]
Michael Ramberg
Rabbi Michael Ramberg graduated from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College this June. Much to his surprise, as the son of intermarried (but mainly secular) parents active in the Civil Rights movement, Michael has found in the rabbinate his own way to carry on his parents’ important legacy. For him the most compelling venue in which to pursue this work of repairing the world is through interfaith coalitions, not only because Jews need partners in order to bring about real changes, but also because interfaith relationships are so nourishing for him. Michael’s focus is standing up for the rights of immigrants, which he does primarily as a volunteer with the New Sanctuary Movement and with his synagogue, Mishkan Shalom, in Philadelphia, PA. In addition to his rabbinic role as community organizer and activist, Michael relishes his responsibilities working with people to sanctify life transitions. In his Jewish practice Michael is invigorated both by reconstructing the Jewish tradition to fit the evolving needs of people today and by immersing himself in prayer and the study of sacred texts. Michael’s partner just completed her PhD in Education and they have committed to equally sharing the care of their two year old daughter. Michael sometimes thinks that the profound love his daughter has inspired in him gives him at least a glimmer of understanding of the love the divine has for humanity.
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Contributing Scholars
Rozemarijn VanwijnsbergheBorn in Antwerp (Belgium) and currently based in Brussels (Belgium), trained as a classical singer at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Antwerp, and obtained Master Degrees in Musicology and in Religious Studies, World Religions and Interfaith Dialogue of the Catholic University of Leuven. Has professional experience in performing arts, international cooperation and human rights, as well as in education to development and intercultural dialogue, and is an alumna of the Institute of Bossey (World Council of Churches, Geneva Switzerland).
Gretchen KochGretchen recently received her PhD in the Study of Religion from the University of Aarhus in Denmark. She currently lives in Plano, Texas and is working on forming her dissertation into a book, and she serves on the Cognitive Science of Religion Consultation for the American Academy of Religion.
Kile JonesKile Jones hold a Bachelors of Theology (B.Th.) from Faith Seminary, a Masters of Theological Studies (M.T.S.) and a Masters of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.) from Boston University. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Religion at Claremont School of Theology.