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Jews Love to Talk About Pew Studies: Pew Study
WASHINGTON—In its recent study of contemporary Jewry, the Pew Research Foundation found one overwhelming trend among Jews, regardless of background and affiliation—Jews love to talk about Pew studies. “The evidence is conclusive,” said Alan Murray, President of Pew Research Foundation, “a majority of American Jews have a strong desire to talk about Pew studies.” The…
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Blotting Out (And Putting Back In)
Last week I spoke about writing, this week too I’ll reflect on writing. Last week it was memoir authors, this week it is Torah scribes. Last Tuesday we had a rare treat at TBH, a sofer—a Torah scribe—came to TBH. He was there to inspect and appraise our Torah scrolls, something which we haven’t had…
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Israelites and Other Mistakes: A Memoir
Last Shabbat I had a wonderful opportunity that I don’t get very often—a chance to be intellectually stimulated by a topic having nothing to do with Judaism. The opportunity arose as I attended (crashed?) a panel at the annual Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) conference in Seattle, an annual gathering of close to…
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Jewish Synthesis
This quarter I have the good fortune to co-teach a class at South Puget Sound Community College on “Sacred Texts in World Religions.” As an end to our unit on Judaism, we had the students create posters to illustrate what they learned and create a visual representation of Judaism. We then had the students vote…
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Testimony on Religious Liberty
Last week I had the opportunity again (the last of this session, probably) to testify in front of the Washington State Legislature. This time it was in front of the House Judiciary Committee on behalf of Substitute Senate Bill 5173, which would create two unpaid holidays of faith and conscience for students and public employees.…
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Clouds, God and Harold Ramis z’l
This week’s Torah reading (parasha Pikudei) brings us to the end of the book of Exodus. After the communal journey of the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery, through the Red Sea, to Mount Sinai where they received the Torah, the book of Exodus ends on a very private note-Moses himself assembling the Tabernacle. After the…
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Why I Support the Death Penalty. And Why I am Wrong.
Earlier this month Washington Governor Jay Inslee issued a moratorium on the use of the death penalty in our state. In his February 11 remarks, the Governor said, Equal justice under the law is the state’s primary responsibility. And in death penalty cases, I’m not convinced equal justice is being served. The use of the death…
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Welcoming remarks from forum on The People’s House
Last night TBH hosted a community forum about The People’s House, the new proposed homeless shelter for downtown Olympia. Here are my short welcoming remarks: My name is Rabbi Seth Goldstein, and I would like to welcome you to Temple Beth Hatfiloh—welcome back to those who have been here in the past, and welcome to…
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Is the Story of the Golden Calf a Love Story? A d’var Torah for Ki Tissa (and Valentine’s Day)
Today is Valentine’s Day, the day set aside to focus on romantic love. I know this holiday isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. It might seem too commercial, a “Hallmark holiday” as it is sometimes called. And it is a day that is especially hard for those who are not in a relationship at the moment,…
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Rabbi 360 