Many are familiar with Theodor Herzl’s famous line: “If you will it, it is no dream.” However, few remember the continuation: “and if you do not will it, a dream it is and a dream it will stay.” Turning dreams into reality is difficult. We must persevere, face our obstacles and not…
Throughout history, we’ve had to respond to those bent on destruction. When the Second Temple was destroyed and Jerusalem was burning, and the remnant of our people were sent into exile, leading sage Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai responded by building an academy. Known as Yavneh, it became a s…
“Vayehi b’chatzi halayla…And so it happened in the middle of the night…”
This piyut (liturgical poem), recited near the end of the Passover Seder, recounts the myriad events and wondrous feats accomplished on this night throughout our history. It is no coincidence that the Maste…
There is a midrash that, when standing at Sinai to receive the Torah, each person received their own personal revelation but responded in one voice, saying, “Na’aseh v’nishma” — “We will do and we will hear.” It is in that exquisite moment that we became one People. Each of us …
I had the privilege last month of attending the Hillel International: Global Assembly, which brought 850 Hillel professionals to Orlando, Florida, for three days of networking, training and Jewish learning.
It was truly inspiring to spend time with these professionals—many just a few year…
