To appreciate creation, we should appreciate creatures. (NOTE: Podcast version of the words below is available at the bottom of…
Category: Political
Reconciliation: Elijah's Message for Canada
Reconciliation takes many forms. Today, I’m thinking about David. He came to our synagogue occasionally, on Shabbat. He was quiet and a…
Violence in Esther: Realistic or Extravagant?
Violence in Esther. It’s easy to miss. The Book of Esther is such a feel-good story! Such a great political thriller! …
Hanukkiah: "I'm Here To Tell You Resistance Never Ends"
Hanukkiah. The eight-branched menorah we light at Hanukkah. What Does the Hanukkiah Mean? The prophet Zechariah never heard of a…
Assault on Dina: A Frighteningly Modern Biblical Fable
Dina, quiet star of a disturbing Biblical story. A teaching story, with lessons for our time, too. Dina: An Ancient…
Rape Culture in the Bible: Are we still living in Sodom?
Rape. Sexual assault. Sexual harassment. MeToo. Tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, millions of women are saying it. I’ve said…
Political narrative keeping you prisoner? Time for a new Exodus!
Judaism has a “master story” that shapes our political narrative. It is, of course, the Exodus. One famous version goes like…
Elijah came to Vancouver to test us. Did we pass?
You know the stories. Elijah crouches on the street corner, begging. She bangs on your door at midnight, fleeing an…
Antisemitism. Why some Christians don't repudiate it. And why many Christians do!
Can a Jewish blogger avoid writing about antisemitism this week? No, she cannot. She has written about it before. About…