Skip to main content

Let Kids Read Books During High Holiday Services

Abby White
In the fifth grade, I aged out of my synagogue’s High Holidays kiddie services. Countless Jewish families have faced this dilemma over the years. Many of us consider Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur the only two occasions when attending services is mandatory.

Reflecting on our Jewish Identities, Safety, and Belonging

Dr. Becki Cohn-Vargas
As a Jew, do you feel welcomed and safe to express your authentic self in all aspects of your life? As an educator, I've championed identity safe classrooms, based on research that indicates when students’ identities are affirmed, they perform better in school.

Elul is Calling

Rabbi Kelly Whitehead
During the month of Elul, we are invited to listen deeply. Each weekday morning, we are invited to hear the cry of the shofar, marking the beginning of our spiritual journey toward the High Holy Days.

Where Have All the Jewish Movies Gone?

Wes Hopper
I’ve been reviewing film and TV here at URJ for nearly a decade and have never seemed to lack for Jewish cinema to cover. Recently, I had the realization that the year was nearly half over, yet I hadn’t written a single movie review.

Superman Can Inspire Us to be Jewish Heroes

Chaim Harrison
Superman embodies aspects that many of us strive to emulate: strength, compassion, honesty, and doing the right thing under all circumstances. So when James Gunn, the co-CEO of DC Studios, was announced as the writer and director of "Superman," the first movie set in the new DC Cinematic Universe (DCU), I was intrigued.

Helping Kids Find Belonging in a New Home

Crystal Hill
Nearly a year ago, my husband, son, cat, and I all packed up and drove 12+ hours to move to Colorado from Illinois. Here are some tips and lessons I learned from my moving experience that helped ease the transition and helped us find belonging in a new place.

Judaism: The Faith of Feasting

Rabbi Jhos Singer
The opening chapters of Genesis introduce and establish one of the most enduring elements of Jewish religion, spirituality, and culture: the power of food.

Parenting Adult Children

Kerry Leaf
When my children came home during school breaks, my parenting boundaries were challenged. I realized that they were adults, but I still saw them as my dependent children.