Esther and Vashti: Let’s Hear Both Their Voices

Instead of using Vashti and Esther as foils for each other, let us amplify their voices as unique and independent responses to their challenging circumstances.

Spirituality, BlogGuest UserFebruary 14, 2018Rabbi Ben Greenberg, JWI’s Clergy Task Force, Purim, Esther, Vashti

On Purim, Discovering Esther’s Power—and Our Own

When we look at the Book of Esther through a modern lens, it can teach us a thing or two about developing a strong sense of self and how that enriches our relationships.

Spirituality, BlogGuest UserFebruary 14, 2018Purim, Book of Esther, Esther, Deborah Rosenbloom, healthy relationships

9 Empowered Purim Costumes

Dressing as Queen Esther is never out of fashion, but we think it’s time to branch out. While one obvious choice is to pull your hair back in a tight bun, throw on a black robe, accessorize with a lace collar, and large, dark-rimmed glasses and go as the honorable RBG, here are some other empowered women worth emulating this Purim.

Spirituality, BlogGuest UserFebruary 14, 2018Purim, Purim costumes, Barbra Streisand, Aly Raisman, Bella Abzug, Gloria Steinem, Sheryl Sandberg, Sue Tomchin, Diane von Furstenberg, Judith Resnik, Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Statue of Liberty, Emma Lazarus

A Powerfully Relevant Haggadah to Download

You say you’ve been intending to look for a Haggadah that will “speak” to you and your Seder guests? We have a last-minute suggestion.

SpiritualityGuest UserApril 7, 2017Haggadah, Passover, Rabbi Rachel Barenblat, The Velveteen Rabbi, feminist Seder

The Feminist Passover: A (Third) Seder of Her Own

Sensing that “there was more to feel than I’d felt, more to understand than I knew,” Abigail Pogrebin, journalist, author and casual Jew, dove into the Jewish holiday calendar to explore what it means to live a fully Jewish life.

SpiritualityGuest UserMarch 29, 2017My Jewish Year, Abigail Pogrebin, Passover, Seder, Letty Cottin Pogrebin, feminist Seder, Esther Broner

Majoring in Judaism

This Chanukah, find what in Jewish life sparks a flame and inspires your dedication.

SpiritualityGuest UserDecember 22, 2016Rabbi Jennifer Krause, Chanukah, Chanukah inspiration, Hanukkah, Hanukkah inspiration, Chanukah and dedication, City College of New York, Majoring in Judaism

Chanukah Building Blocks

If anyone ever told you Chanukah wasn’t important, hang on to your dreidel!

SpiritualityGuest UserDecember 21, 2016Chanukah texts, Rabbi Jennifer Krause, Chanukah Building Blocks

Get a Glow On

Finding the deeper meaning in the Chanukah lights helps us connect with the best in ourselves.

SpiritualityGuest UserDecember 19, 2016Hanukkah, Joy Leslie Gordon, Rabbi Shimon Apisdorf, Rabbi Paula Goldberg, Rabbi Shirah Joseph, Chanukah, Rabbi Daniel Matt, Judith R. Baskin, Robin K. Levinson, Chanukah light, Hanukkah light, Robin Levinson, Joy Gordon, light in Judaism

JW Staff Picks: Eight “Light”-Hearted Chanukah Gift Ideas

Chanukah without presents? We’re having nun of it. The Festival of Lights is nearly upon us. With eight days of presents, you might find yourself in need of a little inspiration. Here are some of our favorite, fun gift ideas.

SpiritualityGuest UserDecember 19, 2016gifts, Hanukkah, Happy Llammakka Sweater, Menorah Hat, Elope, P.J. Salvage, Let There Be Laughter, Michael Krasny, Molly Yeh, Molly on the Range, Loch Ness Menorah, Ido Drukker, Jonathan Adler, Elephant Match Strike, BarkBox

Respect for Women Is a Common Bond in Three Different Faiths

Three women write about one value their different faiths have in common: respect for women.

SpiritualityGuest UserNovember 11, 2016Christina Tobias-Nahi, Deborah Rosenbloom, Amy Gopp, IMA World Health, respect for women, Christianity, Islam, Jewish values, Islamic Relief USA, We Will Speak Out

My Beloved’s and Mine

Creating a wedding that sets the tone for a marriage.

SpiritualityDanielle CantorOctober 27, 2016Jewish weddings, get abuse, ketubah, Debra Band, Rahel Musleah

A Simple Hut with Complex Messages

Though it looks fragile, we shouldn’t underestimate the sukkah’s power to infuse our lives with meaning.

SpiritualityGuest UserOctober 14, 2016Sukkot, Rahel Musleah, sukkah, Rabbi Goldie Milgram, Tobi Kahn, Susan Berrin

The Difficult Path to Forgiveness

Though you can’t fix what can’t be fixed or undo the past, you can improve the future.

SpiritualityGuest UserOctober 7, 2016Rahel Musleah, Avodah Dance Ensemble, Yom Kippur, forgiveness, Rabbi Simkha Weintraub, Rabbi Charles Klein, JoAnne Tucker, Laura Blumenfeld, Revenge: A Story of Hope

This New Year, Let's Work Harder for Children

In this exclusive op-ed for JW magazine, Caryl M. Stern writes about a subject that's close to her heart and work: children who are fleeing violence and poverty.

SpiritualityGuest UserOctober 5, 2016Caryl M. Stern, UNICEF, Yom Kippur

Our (Jewish) New Year Resolutions

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and the days in-between are a time to reboot our lives. Here are reflections—and commitments--that four notable Jewish women shared with us for the New Year 5777.

SpiritualityGuest UserSeptember 30, 2016Yom Kippur, Jewish values, women rabbis

When the Heart Breaks

While religion may fail to comfort a woman facing infertility and loss, Jewish spirit can still buttress a broken heart.

Spirituality, Women's IssuesDanielle CantorSeptember 6, 2016infertility, miscarriage, abortion, Danielle Cantor

7 Ways to Spiritually Prepare for the New Year

Elul, the month before Rosh Hashanah, is a Jewish self-help tool - a time of study and self-reflection, growth and discovery, to begin shaping the year ahead.

SpiritualityGuest UserSeptember 1, 2016Rosh Hashanah, Elul, Rahel Musleah, Craig Taubman, Rachel Timoner, Rabbi Rachel Sabath Beit-Halachmi, Sherre Hirsch, Sarah Chandler, Myriam Klotz, yoga

Tapping the Waters of Wisdom

We spoke to women rabbis and religious leaders about finding spiritual nourishment in the High Holidays. Their answers are both personal and profound.

SpiritualityGuest UserAugust 31, 2016High Holidays, Meredith Jacobs, religion, women rabbis, Rosh Hashanah, Rebecca Sirbu, Marla Hornsten, Rabbis Without Borders, Amy Schwartzman, Rachel Gartner, Yom Kippur, Ruth Balinsky Friedman

Racy Instagrams and the Lessons of Purim

Purim is one day we’re supposed to be moderate in our moderation, even abandon ourselves to excess. But will moderation soon be a relic from a more innocent time?

SpiritualityDanielle CantorJune 20, 2016Purim, Vashti, Esther

Finding Meaning Through Midrash

When we engage with biblical stories, says Rabbi Sandy Sasso, we often find insights and wisdom that help us understand our own lives.

SpiritualityDanielle CantorJune 8, 2016Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso, Midrash: Reading the Bible with Question Marks, God's Paintbrush, Creation's First Light, Adam & Eve's New Day, What is God's Name?