Independent researcher Jennifer Stark-Blumenthal will present Poles and Jews: A Call for Myth Reconstruction, an expansive and engaging investigation into centuries of changing Polish-Jewish relations. With forthright honesty the author calls on Poles and Jews to recognize and challenge the “myths” each tells about the other and themselves.
Modeling the Jewish Learning and Humanity of Our Late Teacher Rabbi Michael A. Signer.
Philosophy of Freedom
Thoughts on Parashat Vaera 5785
Prepare for a dry, philosophical thought.
What was the story of the exodus from the Land of Egypt about? Certainly it was about leaving a political entity, an empire with a corrupt political system that was self-serving for its elites. This is the social and political part of the whole process of the liberation of the chosen nation.
But the whole story of Exodus also has its spiritual aspect, not less important than the political one. It was about liberating ourselves from all kinds of habits – moral, psychological, cultural and religious, habits and patterns of behavior that did not allow for a full spiritual and moral development of the Jewish people. We were chosen by God to establish a new political entity in the land of Israel but also a new religious culture and civilization, i.e. Judaism, that would elevate human spiritual condition, necessary to create a just society…
Beit Trojmiasto Continues!
Shabbat at home in Beit Trojmiasto
Wandering Among Disasters
Thoughts on Parashat Shemot 5785
Why did we (i.e. our ancestors) settle in Egypt?
Because of the natural disaster – there was a drought and famine in the land of Canaan and that forced Jacob and his family to go to Egypt. Thank God, one of our brothers – Joseph – was already there. We know that he ended up there out of nefarious actions, yet God used these actions and turned them into our blessing. That’s one of His powers – to turn a wicked act into something good. But we should never provoke God to use this power.
Turning Points in Jewish History; The First Class
Join us for the inaugural class The Polish translation of Turning Points in Jewish History by Marc Rosenstein
Rabbis Mirski, Kirschenbaum, and Klimowa will present the inaugural multi-session class based on Rabbi Marc Rosenstein’s Turning Points in Jewish History.
Friends of Jewish Renewal in Poland sponsored the curriculum’s translation for the Polish audience. The initial class will be open to Polish speakers and English speakers. We invite people to join us for this auspicious beginning.
Advantages of Old Age
Thoughts on Parashat Vayigash 5785
A man, very advanced in his age, calls an insurance company and says that he wants to buy insurance. The agent says: “Good, very good, how old are you?” The man says: “I’m a hundred years old.” “Hundred??” – replies the agent – “Oy, I’m afraid we cannot help you” – The man replies: “No, no, you have to sell me this insurance because your company already sold insurance to my father”. “How old is your father?” – the agent says – “He is 120 years old”. “120?? Well, ok, come by Tuesday evening, we’ll see what we can do.” The man says: “I can’t come on Tuesday, my grandfather is getting married”. “Your grandfather is getting married?? How old is he??” “He is 148”. “148 and he wants to get married??” Phs, like it is his choice…” – replies the man – “His parents are marrying him off!”.