Jewish Relationships Initiative

Category: America

  • To a very good Thanksgiving!

     

  • Shabbat Shalom

    Shevet Achim V’achayot is is a collaboration of Doron Madali and Idan Raichel.

    The idea of living together as brothers and sisters is a powerful dream that I hope we can work towards as we welcome Shabbat.

    Shabbat Shalom

  • Forward from here

  • Along the Watchtower Shabbat Shalom

    I welcome Shabbat with Bob Dylan’s All Along the Watchtower.  A call shared by Playing for Change.  As we are poised to enter Shabbat, next week and the sacred opportunity to have our voices heard through our right to vote approaches.

    Shabbat Shalom

  • Shabbat HaHatzbiyah- The Shabbat of the Vote

     

    This is the Shabbat before our national elections.  Our tradition names certain of our Shabbats because of their significance.  As American Jews, this Shabbat is truly significant.  Our right to vote comes November 3.  This is our moment as citizens to have a voice.  Please Vote!

    Shabbat Shalom

  • Gratitude for the next generation of leaders

    The courage of our young people is a source of hope.  Gen Z, which includes many professional athletes, are stepping up to fight against injustice.

  • We are the world- Shabbat Shalom

     

    “We are the World” was originally performed in 1985 by Supergroup USA for Africa

    This past April, artists from across Long Island joined together to sing this song of hope again.

    Wishing you love and healing this Shabbat.

    Shabbat Shalom

  • Rest in Peace John Lewis

    Rest in Peace John Lewis

    Thank you for the legacy you have bequeathed to us.

  • America for All

  • The Unfulfilled promise of Juneteenth

    The Unfulfilled promise of Juneteenth

    June 19th is celebrated in American history as the date when the slaves were freed (it actually was the day when Union Troops entered Texas to enforce the final ending of slavery on June 19, 1865, three years after Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation of Sept 22, 1862).  Juneteenth, as it is known, remains an aspiration.  Today, in this special moment in time we find so much of America is still unfulfilled; Ideals yet to be achieved, dreams yet to realized.  America was the Promised Land for so many, but the promise is a work in progress, a distant goal for far too many.

    On this Juneteenth let us affirm our commitment to make this special place one that extends ideals of equal justice, liberty, and equality to everyone.  It is a long road ahead, but it is a journey worth traveling.

    Find a group that promotes our sacred values such as the ADL, the ACLU, the Innocence Project, Repairers of the Breach, and support them.  Learn how to help create the changes to make our society juster and fairer for all.  Celebrate Freedom on Juneteenth and every day thereafter.