John Propper

Bar Rafaeli is awesome; why ordaining cantors matters; Shmitah and our economy; and more. [Required Reading]

By John Propper May 2, 2012

Topless Bar Rafaeli jumps around. Or something. [Daily Mail] You’ve already clicked away, haven’t you? Ordaining cantors and why it matters [Jewish Journal] Recent news that the Hebrew Union College (the U.S. Reform seminary) would begin ordaining cantors, rather than “investing” them was met with a bit of a question mark from many. (At least, from what…

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The Haredim Meme [Humor]

By John Propper April 30, 2012

You may not have heard, but there’s this new thing all the hip kids are using now, called the Internet. It’s the only place you can find bigfoot porn and chinchillas playing piano seconds apart from each other. And there are useful, sane things too. For instance, we can do all our banking online, learn a new…

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Haredi Jews vs. the Internet; formerly ‘frum’ and looking for love; and more. [Required Reading]

By John Propper April 30, 2012

Off the path, on the prowl [Slate] This might be the most fascinating article about former Orthodox Jews learning to navigate the complicated waters of love, lust, and being around… “the rest of us.” (Plus, the title is a winner; just click and see what we mean.) Meet Israel Irenstein, coach to the socially awkward, no-longer-frum….

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Hatikvah, modified; Reform cantors ordained; and more. [Required Reading]

By John Propper April 27, 2012

Making Hatikvah accessible for the rest of Israel [Forward] Is Hatikvah a song for only a portion of its population? What about Israeli Arabs? In this fascinating piece from the Jewish Daily Forward, the question is explored, Can this anthem be modified to reflect the diversity that Israel houses? “‘The successful integration of Israeli Arabs into…

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Orthodox abuse exemptions; liberal zionism; spiritual misconceptions; and more. [Required Reading]

By John Propper April 25, 2012

Tradition, innovation, and Jewish Renewal [Zeek] This interview with author and scholar Chava Weissler explores Weissler’s latest book on ancient Jewish women’s prayers. Weissler also talks about her study of Jewish Renewal and the creation of Havurot (and the differences between the two approaches to Judaism),  her relationship to Israel through the years, and more: “Yes!…

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A Jew in Catholic school [Huh?]

By John Propper April 23, 2012

A few days ago, our Required Reading ran a story about Stonybrook University in New York. College officials have announced that the school’s schedule will now be fixed according to a secular calendar. In other words, no cancellations due to the High Holy Days for Jewish students. Certain Christian holidays, barring things like Christmas, will…

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An LGBT ally; Yom Ha’atzmaut; and more. [Required Reading]

By John Propper April 23, 2012

Orthodox rabbi “comes out” as LGBT ally [Jewish Journal] In this compelling piece from the Jewish Journal, Orthodox rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz expresses his feelings on the “LGBT issue,” hitting some key points about the debate on sexuality and religion. Yanklowitz writes: “I began to wonder if I was failing at making myself accessible enough to students…

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Masorti Jews to ordain gays, lesbians; Reconstructionists lose leader in Israel; and more. (Required Reading)

By John Propper April 20, 2012

Prominent Reconstructionist rabbi passes away (z”l) (Reconstructionist Rabbinical College) The Reconstructionist movement has announced that Rabbi Jack Cohen, an influential leader within the movement, has passed away at the age of 93. Cohen (z”l) was close to Reconstructionist figurehead Mordecai Kaplan. “He held various positions with the Foundation and with the Society for the Advancement…

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Patrilineal conversion; inclusive mikveh; and more. [Required Reading]

By John Propper April 18, 2012

Rabbinically intermarried [Sh’ma] Can a couple, both intensely devoted to their particular expression of Judaism, co-exist in a household? (Probably.) The more prudent question is… What does that look like? Rabbi Julie Adler, Director of the B’rit Milah Program of Reform Judaism, shares her own experience: “We’re each pretty certain that our way of observing Judaism…

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Women, the Kotel, and me. [Gender]

By John Propper April 16, 2012

The strongest people in my life have always been women. I didn’t plan for that. It just happened. Growing up in a restrictive, uber-religious environment, I am familiar with every scripture (both Jewish and Christian) used throughout history to justify the inferior treatment of women. And yet, like something out of a fairy tale or…

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Gender and public prayer; god language in liturgy; and more. [Required Reading]

By John Propper April 16, 2012

Gender and the Wall [Tikkun] The gender segregation at the heart of politics surrounding the Western Wall has been increasingly contentious over the last few years. In this blog from Tikkun Magazine, Joan Reiss explores the challenges often faced by the Women of the Wall, an activist group seeking the equality of women… well, at the…

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Hazing at Boston Jewish fraternity [News]

By John Propper April 13, 2012

JTA reports that members of the now-defunct Boston University branch of Jewish fraternity Alpha Epsilon Pi are under investigation following apparent hazings. The disturbing article reads: “Police responding to a noise complaint early Monday morning discovered the Boston University students in the basement of the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity house. The men were found bound together…

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Schlepping 2012; Gibson’s Maccabees movie done; and more. [Required Reading]

By John Propper April 13, 2012

The Great Schlep begins again [Forward] After a successful 2008 campaign to encourage young Jews to talk to their elders about voting for Obama, the follow-up (again called The Great Schlep) has grown by leaps and bounds. The Jewish Daily Forward reports: “The group, called the Jewish Council for Education and Research, ran a high-profile campaign…

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Meet the first Jew for Jesus; Santorum out of GOP race; and more. [Required Reading]

By John Propper April 11, 2012

Meet a Jew for Jesus… err, the first Jew for Jesus [Forward] Ever wanted to meet the founder of Jews for Jesus? (Hey, where’d everybody go?) Moishe Rosen is a curious personality whose life and theology are being explored in a new biography. This article from The Jewish Daily Forward explores highlights of Rosen’s life…

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Shtar: your new Jewish crush? [Music]

By John Propper April 10, 2012

Jews have a long and healthy relationship with the West’s pop culture forms. In particular, there’s a laundry list of famous Jews making great music. And let’s face it: Bob Dylan is a tough act to follow. So how do we one-up ourselves? Frum Jews riffing on pop music: rock, R&B, even rap. Matisyahu is probably most famous…

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