Fall 2008

Columns

Letters to the Editor

Women’s League for Conservative Judaism’s CORY R. SCHNEIDER asks So, What Is Good?

Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs’ NORM KURTZ considers A New Challenge

United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism’s DR. RAYMOND B. GOLDSTEIN expands on Pond Life

Women’s League for Conservative Judaism’s ANN GOLDMAN on Resolutions and Beyond

Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs’ RABBI CHARLES SIMON on Listening to God’s Voice

United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism’s RABBI JEROME M. EPSTEIN on Encouraging a Jewish Choice

Comforting the Mourner

In this special section, we pair personal reflections on end-of-life rituals with art by Carol Bachman and photographs by Itai Monnickendam.

Comforting the Mourner is also available in pdf form, which is easier for teachers and group facilitators. Please feel free to print it out and distribute it.

Praying for the Sick, Praying with the Sick
RABBI DANIEL GREYBER tries to find solace at the bedside of a dying friend

Shiva: A Dream of Consolation in the Midst of Anguish
The past merges with the present as LEAH NADICHMEIR and her sisters sit shiva for both parents within seven months

Personal Reflections on the Year of Kaddish
Joining the community of mourners and learning to lead services has a profound impact on ROCHEL SURICK DAVID

When It Doesn't Work
For JOANNE PALMER, saying kaddish was an imperfect source of comfort

Reciting Kaddish for Twelve Months for a Parent
In a teshuvah, RABBI MAYER E. RABINOWITZ argues that it is more appropriate to recite kaddish for a full year rather than the traditional 11 months

Articles

Why I Am A Conservative Jew
SCOTT SHINDELL converted to Judaism, and in particular to Conservative Judaism, to find a way to live his life

The Bookshelf
RABBI NEIL GILLMAN recommends books to enhance our high holiday experience

The Men Are Coming
GERALD M. SIEGEL’S father teaches him a Yom Kippur lesson that has stayed with him for a lifetime

The Teshuvah of Tikkun
RABBI SHMUEL LEWIS explains that the intention to change is not really enough; we must also change our habits of thought

Our Sisters of Tishrei
LISA KOGEN presents books and teshuvot about biblical women and contemporary women’s issues

Creating Spiritual Jewish Prayer
RABBI MENACHEM CREDITOR proposes ways to enhance the intensity of our spiritual communities

New Light on Prayer
RABBI REUVEN HAMMER hopes that Or Hadash will provide meaningful Conservative commentary on Siddur Sim Shalom

Taking Poetic License Too Far?
STEVEN P. LEVINE suggests that Siddur Sim Shalom’s translations should be more literal

Where Are the Men? We're at Camp!
ROBERT E. BRAITMAN, M.D. extols the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs’ annual retreats

Here Comes the Sun
JOANNE PALMER details some of the ways that Conservative synagogues can help keep the earth green

On the Road Again: Jewish Education in the Bible Belt
WENDY LIGHT tours some Conservative communities across America’s south that are thriving despite very real challenges

Believe It Or Not: Highschool Students Go To Minyan
JOANNE PALMER is impressed by a group of teenagers who daven, eat breakfast, talk – and still get to school on time

Advocating for Israel
BONNIE RIVA RAS describes how some USY leaders learned lessons in lobbying at the AIPAC convention

I Want A USY Ring
BONNIE RIVA RAS discovers regalia that won’t be packed away with yearbooks and term papers any time soon