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Home » Virtual Shabbat Box » Virtual Shabbat Box Archives: August 2022

Virtual Shabbat Box Archives: August 2022

August 12-13

Janice Steinberg wrote this blessing influenced by a book by psychologist Miriam Greenspan about the alchemy of Healing Through the Dark Emotions. She asks, “How do we get in the mud with the ‘oogy’ feelings and find the treasure?”

Sun coming up over the trees

On this Shabbat Nahamu/Shabbat of Comfort, Rabbi Lewis Eron writes:, “We do not have the insight to foresee the final resolution of the many complicated issues that confound the relationship between Israel and the Palestinians. We can, however, pray with the words of the Psalmist that our prophet’s vision of a Jerusalem prosperous, secure and at peace will someday be realized.”

Sunset over a valley

In the first of a two-part series examining circumcision, two critics of the practice best-selling novelist and memoirist Gary Shteyngart and Max Buckler, author of the Evolve essay, “Be Honest About the Bris” discuss circumcision from the perspective of morality, Jewish tradition, medicine gender norms, and the rights of parents and children.

Rethinking circumcision

This Havdalah ceremony, based on an ancient minhag (custom) of going to a natural spring or well after Shabbat, and drawing and drinking water, was created by Martha Hurwitz and Rabbi Janet Madden.

Two women with goblets

This panel focuses on how creative works the works of art, drama, music, and the like can be called forth to meet our experiences of God/divinity/holiness.

God Through Our HandsHiddur Mitzvah

August 5-6

“Anxiety, violence and despair engulfed her world,” writes Rabbi Janet Madden as she describes the Shekhinah’s response to learning of the destruction of the Temple. This Tisha b’Av, her poem speaks to us as we “journey from destruction to destruction.”

Woman sitting in the desert

In his d’var Torah on the opening chapters of Deuteronomy, Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben says:, “Here we find our greatest and most humble leader, Moses, at the end of his life, having just as much difficulty accepting responsibility for the consequences of his decisions as the rest of us.”

Group of people hanging out on the beach

Rabbi Jacob Staub explores the observance of Tisha B’Av and the value of dwelling on ancient tragedies.

Man with eyes closed in prayer or contemplation

Bryan Schwartzman profiles newly graduated Rabbi Alanna “Lonnie” Kleinman.

Seth Rosen, chair of Reconstructing Judaism's Board of Governors, stands next to Rabbi Alanna "Lonnie" Kleinman and Rabbi Deborah Waxman, Ph.D. president and CEO of Reconstructing Judaism.

Zoe Greenberg talks about what it is like to be a reporter and researcher for The New York Times, why she got into journalism at a time when the traditional business model for newspapers has broken down, what it is like to be raised by a Reconstructionist rabbi, and what millennials are looking for in Jewish community and Jewish experiences.

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The Reconstructionist Network

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Training the next generation of groundbreaking rabbis

Modeling respectful conversations on pressing Jewish issues

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The Reconstructionist Network