Why Simchat Torah is on Friday Night (and Not Saturday Night)
Rabbi Milder of Congregation Beth Emek in Pleasanton is one of my favorite rabbis to quote. Here’s what he emailed to his congregation about the “scheduling” of our next holiday, Simchat Torah. ***...
View ArticleThe Sukkah and the Ofrenda
When my Mexican daughter-in-law approached her first October with us – it was during the pandemic and they were living with us – she asked could she set up an Ofrenda. My first thought was OF COURSE!...
View ArticleRosh Hashanah Resources 2026
Rosh Hashanah begins Friday, September 11 at sundown. Here are some last minute resources. They cover a range of topics. If you have a specific need or question just email me...
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What the Butterfly Knows: Teshuva & the High Holidays🦋
I subscribe to the emails from Jewtina.org, a website whose mission is: To celebrate, elevate, and expand Latin-Jewish community while strengthening identity, leadership, and connection to Global...
View ArticleJewish Laws about the Treatment of Animals
Someone told me that Aug. 26 is National Dog Day. I have a dog! I’ve had dogs, cats, rats, fish, and chickens. I feel very possessive of the hummingbirds I shelter in my garden. My next thought was...
View ArticleElul: Forgiveness or Affection?
This week Rabbi Milder’s congregational email comments on the Jewish mindset of Elul. It is the month that leads us into the High Holidays. Its tone is often subdued. We are about to approach God to...
View ArticleWhat Does a Child Need to Build a Jewish Identity?
A big question for many interfaith parents is HOW to give their child a Jewish identity, or even simply sufficient knowledge to choose a Jewish identity. Research has found that there are three key...
View ArticleDeath and Mourning in Jewish Tradition: Some resources
One of the bay area synagogues recently sent out these three links to assist their members in renewing or learning the details of Jewish mourning. There are the kind of things you want to know in...
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Jewish Heritage Night with the Oakland Ballers!
August 11th is BAY MITZVAH at the Oakland Ballers! When I spoke to the Ballers rep to ask about the give-away he volunteered that he too is Jewish and engaged to a non-Jewish woman! That’s right,...
View ArticleDoes God Have a Face? Understanding Jewish Interpretation
Can God be depicted visually? Does God have a form? If you read the words of the Hebrew bible literally it appears to answer, “Yes.” What new readers don’t know is that the Torah is written and...
View ArticleJuneteenth is Coming Up!
Juneteenth is coming right up. Jews of Color Initiative has RESOURCES. Their newsletter say: “Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom, resilience, community, and the enduring contributions of Black...
View ArticleYou Can’t Say Too Much
When a new inquiry arrives – typically as an email – I set up a time to talk, either on the phone or on Zoom. Invariably the conversation gets detailed and extends beyond the 5 to 10 minutes that many...
View ArticleUgat Biskvitim: An Israeli Dessert for Shavuot!
While reading through a cooking website I came upon a reference to Ugat Biskvitim; it was described as an Israeli refrigerator cake often made for Shavuot. I asked an Israeli friend if she had a...
View ArticleChildren of intermarriage: Why they matter for the future of American Jewry
My friends, this post is aimed at ADULTS WHO WERE RAISED BY INTERFAITH PARENTS. I’m asking that they read and respond. If you are not an adult raised in an interfaith family, you can share your...
View ArticleThe Month of April on the Jewish Calendar
Passover is past, Bread is back! But we don’t take a pause in the month of April. The Month of April on the Jewish Calendar April is a whirlwind. No sooner does Passover end, than Yom Hashoah/Holocaust...
View ArticlePassover is a Week Away!
Passover is LITERALLY a week away. So let’s consider the issues you may be dealing with. You have nowhere to go for Passover and you feel awkward asking to be included. I couldn’t sympathize more!...
View ArticleBeing a FATHER in an interfaith relationship
How “good” a Dad are you? For years I have offered a program, Women in Interfaith Relationships. Women, Jewish or not, are the gender that is typically most comfortable with emotions. They are more...
View ArticleIt’s Adar! Be Happy! Purim fun for all!
Growing up I went to seven different schools – including two high schools. My parents moved a lot. I realized as an adult that I wasn’t really clear on how to create community. But after college I was...
View ArticleMost Misunderstood Biblical Statement: An Eye for…
The Hebrew Bible (Old Testament in Christian terminology) is often called a dark and vengeful text. One of the most commonly quoted sentences that ‘proves’ this is the one Rabbi Milder is talking about...
View ArticleMen in Interfaith Relationships
A discussion for husbands, boyfriends, partners, fathers and grandfathers Join other men, Jewish or not, to examine interfaith relationships in relation to culture and gender. What are the unique...
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