I recently saw a video of a bit by Persian Jewish American comedian Dan Ahdoot. There is no way I could do his routine justice, but it goes like this: “I think Israel absolutely has a right to exist. I wish I didn’t honestly, because the Palestinian chants are just so much more fun than…Read more »
Author: scottbroland
Yom Kippur 5784: Sitting Sojourners
A call for our community to be more welcoming to those non-Jews who have cast their lot with our people.
Kol Nidre 5784: Making Mistakes
The Jewish value of making mistakes, admitting them, learning from them, and moving on.
Rosh Hashanah II 5784: The Illusion of Control
What do we do when things feel out of control? We laugh. We ask questions/cry out. We search for the Divine presence. We remain hopeful.
Rosh Hashanah 5784: Gishmak Herring, Skeleton Lake, and Mashiach
What do we do while we are waiting for the messiah? An example of a redemptive moment.
Lech Lecha 5783: Those who curse us
Watch the video below to hear my thoughts on antisemites from my hometown, Kanye, Kyrie, Basheer Jones, and the legacy of Avraham Avinu.
Yom Kippur 5783: At the Gates of Hope
Mario Zacchini, the last surviving member of the original generation of human cannonballs, passed away in 1999 at 87 years old. According to his obituary in the New York Times, Zacchini’s routine employment was being explosively propelled from a cannon across a circus tent into a net. Mr. Zacchini would fly through the air at…Read more »
Rosh Hashanah II 5783: We Can Be Angels
In March of 2020, I boarded a plane to join 20,000 fellow Zionists at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s annual policy conference. I had come to appreciate this annual gathering for giving me opportunities to learn, to reconnect with colleagues and friends, and to reenergize me. At that time, we began to hear the…Read more »
Rosh Hashanah I 5783: Sweet as Honey
I was a sophomore in college when I had the most frustrating Jewish experience of my life. I finally worked up the courage to attend Shabbat services and dinner at Rutgers Hillel. Having grown up in the Reform movement, I attended Kabbalat Shabbat services with the Rutgers Reform community. When it came time for the…Read more »
Yom Kippur 5782: Tefilah
A few weeks ago, we were blessed to have Rabbi Alan Lettofsky join us for Shabbat services. As one of the editors of the Conservative Movement’s newest series of siddurim, Rabbi Lettofsky spoke to a group of us about the process he and the committee engaged with to birth the new books. One of Rabbi…Read more »