So now that I have your attention….

Over the summer, the director of the religious school at my temple approached me about teaching a four week class at Sunday school. Sure, I told her. I always say yes first and ask questions later. What kind of class? Well, it was described to me as “a sort of Jewish sexual ethics, for seventh graders”. Oh, and it’s called “Sacred Choices”. Hmm. Sexual ethics for 12 year olds. Sounded interesting to say the least.

As I anxiously awaited the “Sacred Choices” curriculum for to arrive in the mail (I was really curious what the material would be like), I realized my nephew was in 7^th grade and currently attending our temple’s Sunday school. I couldn’t help but think about how humiliating it was going to be for him to have his aunt standing before him and his friends talking about SEX. Ewwww.

So as usual,…

I am not about to give give you a crash course in the Jewish New Year, I am about to share my learning experience in temple this past Tuesday.

Happy New Year

Let me start with a little history. For as long as I can remember, I have been ringing in the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, with lots of food and long services at temple. I can count on one hand the amount of times I’ve been excused from this ritual in my 34 years. And trust me, it isn’t from lack of trying. Let’s see…chicken pox, twice while away at college, and doctor ordered bed rest with my first pregnancy. Aside from the excused absence from school, I grew up dreading the Jewish holidays. Particularly the High Holy days. Getting dressed up, spending time with extended family and sitting in temple listening to a mixture of Hebrew and English, both…

A friend was visiting Cape Cod recently and brought me a most unusual gift. It was six inches in diameter and formed from two concentric disks, the top disk slightly smaller than the bottom disk. The two disks were held together by a rivet which allowed the disks to turn freely, either clockwise or counter clockwise. The top disk bore the title: CHOOSE YOUR RELIGION: A GUIDE FOR THE SAVVY CONVERT. A large red arrow enabled the top disc to point at any one of thirty “religions” by name. The reason I put the word religions in quotes is because some readers would be quick to declare one or two of these as, “not religions at all.” Consumerism is on the chart, along with Atheism, and Psychoanalysis.

Cut into the top wheel are six openings which are labeled: Description; Accessories/Paraphernalia; Afterlife Promises; Potential New Friends; Drawbacks; and finally, Perks. The device is…

In honor of my Grandma this Mother’s Day, I am going to share a family tradition with you. The tradition of naming children after loved ones who have passed. As far as I know, this is a Jewish custom but I’m always careful to only speak for myself and not all Jews collectively. Rabbi Shook points out the many denominations within Judaism and the vast differences among them. That being said, I’m going to stick to what I know.

When a child is born they are given two names. The name they will go by on a daily basis, in my case Kim. (Actually, my parents hate the name Kim. My given name is Kimberly and for some reason my parents thought that would stick for life. I think I officially became Kim in third grade when we had to learn to write our names in cursive.) And the Hebrew name which…

I have been eager to share a little bit about what my teen Rosh Hodesh groups are about. After all, it was through my participation in these groups that ultimately led to me being part of this blog. So I’ll start with a little background…

Rosh Hodesh literally means “the head of the month”. The Jewish calendar is based on the lunar cycle and Rosh Hodesh marks each month’s new moon.

Most people have probably heard of Rosh Hashanah which is known as the Jewish new year (”head of the year”). The Talmud teaches that Rosh Hodesh was given to women because they refused to be involved in the creation of an idol and did not surrender their jewelry to make the golden calf.

So, I am lucky enough to be a part of a national program called “Rosh Hodesh: It’s a Girl Thing!”. The goal of this group experience is to strengthen adolescent…

I would like to respond to a question posed by a comment on my recent post asking about the Pope. Well, two questions actually. And the reason I am devoting space to it here, is because I think that they are good questions.

Here they are:

“How will Jews who have rejected Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior know when their savior comes?” And, “What is the end game for Jews and how will they know when it arrives?”

Let me begin by reiterating that I am by no means any type of authority on Judaism. I’m just a girl who in my early years, repelled the thought of any type of religious education. I did have a Bat Mitzvah, but only after my parents had to foot the bill for a private tutor. I was kicked out of my temple’s religious school for being “disruptive” and “too social”.

My interest in religion now is…

When asked to be a contributor to this blog, my initial response was, “Me? But I’m not that into religion.” I guess that was the point. The desire was for a diverse group of writers and diverse it is. And just to be clear, in case it isn’t by the end of this entry, among the range of scholars and lay people, I’m a lay person.

Religion has never played a big role in my life. Or so I thought. So while searching for inspiration about what to post this week, I realized I’m in Laguna Beach, California. I’ve traveled halfway across the country to attend a childhood friend’s wedding – Jewish wedding. Well, there’s something.

So I’m sitting on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, watching one of my oldest, dearest friends exchange vows under a billowing blue and green chiffon chuppah, and I am moved. Moved to tears by the…