Tisha b’Av: The Cost of Speaking Up Is Worth It

In the last couple of weeks, the Jewish community has debated the merit or mistake of bringing streamer Clavicular (a known abuser of women and alleged rapist) on a public trip to Israel. Sadly, he is not the first person to get a platform in our community, despite his abuse being known (by at least […]

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No, “The Odyssey” Didn’t Come Before the Jews

A marquee advertising Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” recently declared: “Before there were the Jews, there was… The Odyssey.” The slogan has sparked backlash, and for good reason. It isn’t historically accurate. While “The Odyssey” was composed centuries later, its story is traditionally set around 1200 BCE, in the aftermath of the Trojan War. By that […]

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How Do Orthodox Jews Pray?

Dear Jew in the City, How do Orthodox Jews pray? Sincerely, Kate   Dear Kate, Thanks for your question. There are a lot of ways I could answer this. For example: How do we pray? In Hebrew (unless one is unable to do so). How do we pray? Standing. Many of us sway (called shuckeling). […]

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What Modern Science Is Discovering About Ancient Jewish Practices

For thousands of years, Jews have wrapped tefillin every weekday morning, paused to make a blessing before eating, and recited Shema before bed — not because we knew that these practices were good for us from a mental and physical health perspective, but simply because Hashem commanded us to do them. We don’t need neuroscience […]

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