It is no exaggeration to say that Nelson Mandela was a hero of biblical proportions. But what is striking to one who studies the weekly Torah Portion, is that the week he died we read the story of Joseph and his brothers. Joseph was sold into slavery to Egypt by…
A Biblical Guidebook for Good Economic Times
Over the past six months or so we have started to see an improvement in the economy here in the United States. It seems that the economic downturn is finally behind us and that we might be in for a number of years of solid growth ahead. But, just like…
A Rabbi’s Guide to Celebrating Thanksgivukkah
Jews, especially those who keep to the traditions of Judaism, are often uncomfortable celebrating secular or non-Jewish holidays. We make it a point to let people know that we have enough of our own holidays to celebrate and are in no need of extra festivals. In fact, even secular Jews…
Presentations on Purposefulness and Purpose
Levi Brackman is available for presentations and lectures on the concept of purposefulness. As the Executive Director of Youth Directions and a PhD candidate in Education at the University of Western Sydney, Brackman is uniquely qualified to lecture on the topic of purpose and how it affects youth development and…
The Silence of American Jewry is Deafening, Again
It has already been a month since the Pew research study came out alerting us to what can best be described as the potential demise of American Jewry and Judaism. To be sure, there was plenty of handwringing and pontificating following the release of the study, but now, it seems,…
Frum and Stuck
The last thing I’m looking for right now in my life is a new project to take on. My plate is currently full with things to do from the moment I wake up (usually very early) in the morning to the second I close my eyes at night. Despite all…
Kudos to Chief Rabbi Mirvis for Taking on the Old Guard
Britain has a new Chief Rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, and as any one who knows Anglo Jewry could have predicted, in less than six weeks of his installation, he is embroiled in controversy. For the uninitiated some background might be necessary. In Britain there is an annual conference where laypeople can…
Parent: How To Be A Good One
More than a decade ago I was invited on to the Esther Rantzen show to talk about whether children need fathers. Obviously I was arguing for the motion, but one of the women arguing against it had a son conceived by artificial insemination. Her son would never know the identity…
The Festival of Gratitude
Tonight we begin the Jewish festival known as Sukkot. Jews all over the world have built huts outside of their homes and will eat their meals in them for the next seven days. They will also gather together a citrus fruit, one palm branch and a few willow and myrtle…
Yom Kippur Reflections About Striking Syria
These are the days of introspection in the Jewish calendar. The time from Rosh Hashanah to the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, is meant for self-reflection and growth. Thus, amongst other things, I have been struggling with the issue of striking Syria. Last night President Obama made the case for…