This week, after the holiday of Simchat Torah, we begin the cycle of Torah reading again, with the first portion of the first book of the Torah, B’reishit. This week’s portion, also called B’reishit after the first word of the portion, the book and the Torah, tells two stories of the creation of the world. In the first story, Gd creates people and gives them dominion over the animals and gives them the green plants of the earth to eat. And then, Gd surveyed Gd’s creation, and found it “very good.” In the second version of the creation story, the Adam and Eve story, Gd placed the man in the Garden of Eden l’avda ul’shamra – to work and to keep. In both stories, therefore, Gd created the earth, and then gave humans the responsibility to work it and to care for it. That responsibility did not end with those first created but has passed down through the generations. It is now ours. read more

We are Heartbroken at the loss of RBG who made an enormous difference throughout her life. As lawyer and when she became a Supreme Court Justice  she tirelessly pushed forward America’s promise of justice and equality.

We are grieving with all who love her, family, friends and this country. What we need to do to honor her, each of us, is to follow  her courage and wisdom to do the right, ethical, thing.  Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was woman of valor, a light and a leader in American democracy. Her memory will be a blessing for ever. read more

Our Justice of Supreme Valor

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

We the people

Are planning your 90^th birthday.

In three years on March 15

This nation will gather

In a festival of gratitude,

Balloons of your wisdom will float

Colorful, soaring, joyous

A special Opera will sing your courage

And she, the American Vice-President

Will offer the first toast.

In our terrifying days of wobbling justice

You are America’s beacon of hope

And we watch you move between home and hospital

Making brilliant legal arguments.

And between now and your 90^th birthday read more

WE WISH OUR READERS WHO ARE CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS

A MERRY CHRISTMAS

October 27th marked a year since the shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, which was the deadliest antisemitic act committed in U.S. history. We have insight into the shooter’s ideological worldview because he frequently posted on white supremacist social media sites. He asserted that George Soros, a Jewish billionaire, is behind a conspiracy to control international politics and the global economy. For Jews and those sensitive to the history of antisemitism, this imagery evokes a frightening repetition of antisemitic accusations going back to The Protocols of the Elders of Zion. read more

THE JEWISH PLURALIST
WISHES YOU
A MEANINGFUL YOM KIPPUR

A PRAYER THAT I FOUND AND WOULD LIKE TO SHARE:

MAY IT BE A YEAR OF DEMOCRACY, JUSTICE, AND COMPASSION

Partners for Progressive Israel is appalled by the Netanyahu government’s decision to deny entrance to Israel to two U.S. Congresswomen. We support the right of these Congresswomen to criticize the Israeli government; the decision to deny them visas is a grave moral and political mistake. Netanyahu’s denial of visas to the Congresswomen defies basic principles of freedom of speech and flies in face of democratic principles in Israel and in the US.  Democracy thrives only when there is the right to disagree peacefully with those who hold power. In barring Congresswomen Omar and Tlaib, Netanyahu is endangering the bipartisanship critical to US-Israeli relations. We urge the Israeli government to rescind its ban. read more

THE JEWISH PLURALIST WISHES OUR MUSLIM READERS AND FRIENDS

RAMADAN MUBARAK

We ask God’s blessing on Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, as she prepares for Thursday’s brave testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

If assailed by misogyny, intolerance and insults strengthen her with insight and endurance.

If confronted by prejudice and pettiness grant her fortitude and perseverance. 

May she be recognized for what she stand for, and acknowledged for the voice she has given to millions of survivors and to those who were not allowed to testify with her.

Spread over her the shelter of Your peace as she undertakes this journey for truth and for a Supreme Court serving all people in this country. read more