Blog: Jewish Explorations

A STRANGE REUNION

2/11/2019

The largest reunion of Torahs in history occurred this past Tuesday, when 73 scrolls came together in Manhattan. What is a Torah scroll reunion? And how did it come about? I explain with a story.........READ MORE

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a synagogue on wheels

1/25/2019

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We generally think of buildings as immovable, connected to the land upon which they are built. On occasion, though, architectural structures can be lifted from their foundations, and moved to another locale. That’s what happened earlier this month with Washington DC’s oldest synagogue. All 273 tons were wheeled

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what is "Jewish Studies" anyway?

12/19/2018

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I am often asked how I find the engaging, articulate scholars who come to visit Cleveland to share their work with the public. The simple answer to this question is AJS! For folks studying Judaism, Jewish culture and Jews in one form or another, the Association for Jewish Studies is the premier learning society in the United States, if not the world.

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a bumpy definition of academic freedom: conversation with jewish studies director at temple University, mark leuchter

12/12/2018

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On the recent occasion of International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, Professor of Media and Communication at Temple University, Lamont Hill, spoke at the United Nations. Hill’s 20-minute speech focused on the “plight of the Palestinian people,” as well as the “ethical, moral, and political implications of their struggle for freedom, justice and equality.”

His remarks, and his subsequent firing from CNN as a commentator, have generated much media attention. I’ve been interested in discussions about (1) the relationship between academia and political activism and (2) the relationship between critique of Israel and antisemitism. I’ve asked Mark Leuchter (pictured left), Director of Jewish Studies at Temple University, to weigh in.

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in manitowoc, WIsconsin jews gather to pray in Presbyterian church

12/5/2018

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This past Saturday morning, members of Anshe Poale Zedek (APZ) – the only Jewish congregation in Manitowoc, Wisconsin – gathered together in their new sanctuary. The hired hazan, who travels to town every other week to lead the services, sang familiar prayers in Hebrew. Sitting on a warm wooden pew, facing the ark that holds three Torah scrolls, I almost forgot where I was....

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potato latkes and a goat: A hanukah story

11/30/2018

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Long ago, in a far-away village lived a simple family with few resources. Shortly before Hanukkah, the mother and father realized they had no money to purchase potatoes or oil for the holiday. This is how Isaac Bashevis Singer’s “Zlateh the Goat” begins.

It’s one of my favorite children’s stories. . . .

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an unusual burial and unveiling for a synagogue congregation

11/14/2018

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Much like living organisms, synagogue congregations are born, flourish, decline, and die. But it’s not often that they
self-consciously acknowledge when they are at the end of that life cycle. The 125-year-old Jewish community in New Castle, Pennsylvania has.

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We have to make pragmatic decisions in the wake of pittsburgh

11/7/2018

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This past week, America’s Jews mourned together in the wake of the attack on Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. Yet despite unifying rallies meant to bring comfort, I feel deep unease. . . .

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PARENTING MY TEEN IN THE MIDST OF OHIO'S DRUG-ADDICTION CRISIS

10/31/2018

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I’ve been working with my colleague Sheryl Hirsh since shortly after her daughter Melissa died of an accidental drug overdose in 2013. Through many conversations, Sheryl has given me a rich picture of Melissa, and the events leading to her death. But this past week, she shared a new surprising detail with me. . . .

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PHILIP ROTH ON aging, anxiety, sex, and the Holocaust: Professor Anthony Wexler weighs in

10/24/2018

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In advance of Professor Anthony Wexler’s October 29 lecture, “Why Philip Roth Matters,” I sat down to speak with him about Roth’s incredibly productive writing career. Our lively conversation covered a range of topics addressed in Roth’s novels including aging, anxiety, sex, and the Holocaust.

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