Our Jewish tradition values human life above virtually all else.We are taught in the earliest chapters of the Torah, our core biblical text, that God created mankind in the image of the Divine (Genesis 1:27). Our rabbis teach us that to save one life...
The earliest military death carved into the 140 polished black stone panels of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., is that of Air Force Tech. Sgt. Richard B. Fitzgibbon Jr. of North Weymouth, Mass. He was killed in Saigon on June 8,...
By Rabbi Hershey Novack
• Published April 30, 2020
I have been spending a large fraction of my time talking with students and alumni during this complicated period in our history. The coronavirus presents great challenges, yet with a bit of focus, we can rise to the occasion and identify new opportunities...
Imagine sitting around a large dinner table with your family, singing and celebrating the great history and traditions of your culture. The flowing music fills your ears, the decadent scents fill your nose and the comfort of family fills your heart. This...
In times of crisis, it becomes increasingly important to remember one’s values and ideals in order to remain hopeful and prepared for the future. For many people around the world, these values come from religion. My name is Charlie Rosenzweig, and...
Joint statement from Missouri’s Jewish communities in solidarity with the Islamic Center of Cape GirardeauOn behalf of the Jewish community of Missouri, we write both with sadness and hope to our Brothers and Sisters of the Islamic Center of Cape Girardeau,...
I appreciated the spirit of the article “Families will grow real memories from virtual, Zoom seders” (April 1 edition). It illustrated the way people in our community are making the best of a difficult situation. While we are all isolated at home,...
Welcome to the stay-at-home community! In addition to processing the various and often conflicting news reports, cleaning the house again and again, and trying to get outside for exercise, I find myself consuming much more coffee than usual. In an effort...
TORONTO (JTA) — The coronavirus pandemic of 2020 is shaking the world in disturbing ways.As someone who is no longer young, I find one aspect of the crisis to be particularly unnerving: the attitude toward the elderly.The media is filled with stories...
MODIIN, Israel (JTA) — Recounting past plagues isn’t pleasant, but Jewish history is replete with leaders whose decisions can help us address the challenges we’re facing during the current COVID-19 pandemic.In particular, rabbinic authorities throughout...
WASHINGTON (JTA) — After three Israeli elections in the course of 12 months, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his rival Benny Gantz have finally signed a deal to create a unity government that could last 36 months.From a substantive perspective,...
I never thought half birthdays meant anything until I turned 17½ on April 1. It had meaning because this is when I am legally allowed to register to vote in Missouri. The only problem is, I don’t know if I’ll get to vote this November.Believe it...
