Bridging Dreams and Reality Jacob dreams the first dream in the Torah. He is alone, the sun is setting, and the light is waning. In that dream Jacob understands that he is not alone, and he finds renewed strength to shape reality for the better. Our dreams shape who we are, and our realities shape […]
by Rabbi Alan Silverstein, PhD | President of Mercaz Olami (Representing the global Masorti/Conservative movement) Expressions of Zionism have continued to proliferate throughout the Conservative movement in recent decades. In my synagogue — where I served as senior rabbi from 1979 to 2021, the Israeli flag stood on the bimah side-by-side with the American flag. The Prayer […]
Cover Blown: Targeting ‘Zionists’ is Targeting Jews BACKGROUND – TALKING POINTS – IN MEMORIAM – ACTIONS – STORIES This week’s edition dedicated in memory of American-Israeli hostage Cpt. Omer Maxim Neutra, 21, murdered on Oct. 7, 2023. His body remains in Gaza. Amid a widespread climate of hatred toward Jews, particularly on university campuses, UCLA […]
Happy Hanukkah from MERCAZ USA! Please enjoy this Hanukkah Playlist we have compiled. You can listen to a preview here. Click the ‘Listen on Amazon Music‘ link to sign into your Amazon account and listen to the entire playlist!
“Do not reach out your hand against the lad.” (Gen. 22:12) We are living in an insane reality in which we wake up each morning in anxiety, fearful of hearing news media telling us they “are now authorized to make public” news of yet another casualty of war and terrorism. The Hebrew poet Hayyim Guri, […]
Selective Justice: The ICC’s Targeting of Israel Undermines Global Trust BACKGROUND – TALKING POINTS – ACTIONS – DISPELLING FALSEHOODS – STORIES Strength in Adversity: What American Jews Can Be Thankful for This Year This Thanksgiving, American Jews have much to be thankful for, even amid increasing challenges. The Jewish community has shown remarkable resilience in […]
Watch the recording of this special virtual briefing with Tal Schneider, Political and Diplomatic Correspondent for Times of Israel, and one of Israel’s leading political commentators, presented on November 24, 2024. Presented by
by Rabbi Alan Silverstein, PhD | President of Mercaz Olami (Representing the global Masorti/Conservative movement) Parallel to expanding Zionist activity among America’s Conservative Jews was the effort to establish a Conservative Jewish presence in Israel. Initially, the movement in Israel was very small, consisting only of Emet V’Emunah, the first Conservative synagogue in the country, established in […]
The very heart of this week’s Torah portion, Ḥayyei Sarah, is the story of finding a bride for our forefather Isaac. It’s quite surprising to see the extent of the Torah’s attention to finding him a wife so close on the heels of the tale of his near-sacrifice (‘akedat Yitzḥak) and in particular so soon […]
Unrelenting Attacks Against Jewish Students Intensify on Campus BACKGROUND – TALKING POINTS – ACTIONS – DISPELLING FALSEHOODS – STORIES Attacks Against Jewish Students Intensify Anti-Israel student encampments made page one headlines nationwide and led network newscasts last spring. Despite a lull in news coverage, hostility and violence against Jewish students continues to stoke fear and […]