Category: Uncategorized
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Against Wage Theft: My Testimony in front of the WA House Labor Committee
Through my political action, I have the occasion to testify in front of the Washington State legislature several times over the course of a legislative session. Rarely, though, do those opportunities come so close in time. Much of what appears to be on the legislative horizon this year is about economic justice–namely, how to not…
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For Equitable Revenue: My Testimony in front of the WA Senate Ways and Means Committee
One day after MLK Day I had the opportunity to testify in front of the WA Senate Ways and Means Committee on behalf of the Jewish Federation and the Faith Action Network about the state budget and opportunities for new revenue. I believe that our state taxation is excessively regressive, and there are means to…
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The Significant Anonymous
As a rabbi, people often ask me who my favorite character from the Torah is. Well, actually, no one has ever asked me that. But I will answer anyway. And while it is hard to choose, my vote for one of my favorite characters is the mysterious man in the Joseph story. Who, you may…
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Happy 2015!
I wrote this yesterday as my Facebook status, thought I’d share on my blog as well: Today is a day to celebrate and plan. December 31 has particular resonance for me as a time of renewal because it was this day 2 years ago that I was admitted to the hospital with what would turn…
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Hello New Year, Goodbye New York
On Monday my parents got into their car and left New York for good. It was a move they have been planning of late. My mother retired from teaching a few years ago, and my father was winding down his career as an attorney. Full retirement was on the horizon. My sister and I were…
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2014 in review
This is a neat thing. As they tell me “The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2014 annual report for this blog.” I enjoy writing this blog. If you like it too please share with your friends! Happy Gregorian New Year! Here’s an excerpt: A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog…
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Joseph and the Jewish Christmas
My posting is a bit later than usual this week because of the holiday. Yes, that holiday. After all these years, I think I am still figuring out what it means to be a Jew on Christmas. Growing up where I did in New York, with a large Jewish population, it seemed that Christmas celebrators…
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Hanukkah and Power: #BlackLivesMatter
Like with much of our religious traditions and sacred stories (or really anything for that matter) what we learn as kids is revealed to be much more complicated as adults. Take the Hanukkah story for example. The general narrative is of the Maccabees, a Jewish family which lead a revolt against the oppressive tactics of…
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The Festival of Happy Lights
My latest on the My Jewish Learning/Rabbis Without Borders blog. Wishing you and yours a Happy Hanukkah! http://www.myjewishlearning.com/blog/rabbis-without-borders/2014/12/17/the-festival-of-happy-lights/
Rabbi 360 