The Book of Esther and the Pew Study
By Rabbi Phil Warmflash, Executive Director / This past Sunday was the first day of the Hebrew month of Adar Bet, the second Adar. This means: (1) it is a leap year on the Jewish calendar, (2) the holiday of Purim is coming in 15 days, and (3) we will see the first signs of spring as Pesah (Passover) holiday foods appear on the shelves of our grocery stores.
If You Build It, They Will Come
By Jaime Bassman, Consultant, Whole Community Inclusion / Back in the 1980’s, after the movie “Field of Dreams” was released, I heard a particular line from the film that was frequently quoted (and often misquoted): “If you build it, he will come.” When the Pew Study, A Portrait of Jewish Americans, was released in the fall of 2013 (and the hand wringing over the future of American Judaism began anew), it spurred many organizations to consider how to rebuild their institutions and offer fresh, relevant programming in order to keep Jews in the fold.
The Olympics, Dis/Abilities and Human Rights
By Margot Stein, Board Member and Consultant, Whole Community Inclusion / I have been watching the Olympics with a mixture of delight and disbelief. The athletes are so extraordinary. A lifetime of relentless preparation has brought them to this moment, the pinnacle of desire, ambition and performance.