Channeling God's Mercy. Even now. #ShabbatShalom #Pesach #Passover #BringThemHomeNow ❤️🇮🇱

NEW BOOK! Calling Out: Psalms for Today

Calling Out: Psalms for Today

www.amazon.com/dp/B0D22YG9X7

co-edited with Sarah Tuttle-Singer

The night of April 13, 2024 the People of Israel held their breath and prayed. In a world where conflict rages between communities, where uncertainty hangs heavy in the air, that night's most searched term on Google in Israel was "psalms” as the embattled nation prepared for an Iranian strike. Searching for psalms speaks to a collective yearning for solace and guidance, a longing expressed through the timeless form of prayer. In spiritual response, Sarah Tuttle-Singer and Rabbi Menachem Creditor invited writers to submit their modern-day psalms, evoking the rawness of the human experience, the ache for healing, and the yearning for illumination. Whether the words of a particular contributor echo the struggles of the past or illuminate the path towards hope amidst geopolitical tensions, Calling Out: Psalms for Today delves into the complexities of the human condition and expresses the yearnings of the human heart.

DAYENU: Until our children know they are safe, it isn’t enough. #Passover #BringThemHomeNow ❤️🇮🇱

Vehi She’Amda La'Avoteinu: We do not stand alone. #Passover #Day192 #BringThemHomeNow ❤️🇮🇱

TAZRIA: Commanded by Survivors to Hope. #AmYisraelChai ❤️🇮🇱

TAZRIA: The importance of noticing when something is wrong. #BringThemHomeNow #AmYisraelChai 🇮🇱❤️

TAZRIA: Passionate, positive words can change things for the better. #BringThemHomeNow

TAZRIA: We are all connected. That’s how we’ll bring more light into the world. #BringThemHomeNow

Rachel Goldberg-Polin at "Six Months: They Are Out Of Time" rally on April 7, 2024. #BRINGTHEMHOMENOW

SHEMINI: Finding our Way back to Connectivity. #Broadcast1029 #ShabbatShalom

SHEMINI: The imperative to remain human and wrestle with responsibility. #Day181 #AmYisraelChai ❤️🇮🇱

AJR Haggadah Supplement - Seder Interrupted" - Webinar

Art & Midrash: A Jewish Take on Van Gogh's Wheat Field with Cypresses (UJA Women | ArtMatters)

SHABBAT PARAH: Turn and face the strange. It might help. #BringThemHomeNow #AmYisraelChai ❤️🇮🇱

TZAV: The Ears, Hands, and Feet of Real Leaders #Day173 #Broadcast1022 #BringThemHomeNow #AmYisraelChai ❤️🇮🇱

TZAV: Offering Gratitude #BringThemHomeNow #AmYisraelChai ❤️🇮🇱

"VICTORY": A Purim Message

"VICTORY": A Purim Message

So many messages this Purim have been screaming out from the text, not the least of which is that the great victory Esther achieved was that, “...the king permitted the Jews of every city to assemble and fight for their lives. (Est. 8:11)” A Jewish right to self-defense is not an insignificant triumph, especially in an upside-down world like ours. But it is worthy of note - and a clarion call for vigilance - that a sacred text long understood as an absurd political satire still rings so true.

(Text below, with thanks to Sefaria)
————————————————————

וַיִּקָּרְא֣וּ סֹפְרֵֽי־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ בָּֽעֵת־הַ֠הִ֠יא בַּחֹ֨דֶשׁ הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֜י הוּא־חֹ֣דֶשׁ סִיוָ֗ן בִּשְׁלוֹשָׁ֣ה וְעֶשְׂרִים֮ בּוֹ֒ וַיִּכָּתֵ֣ב כְּֽכׇל־אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֣ה מׇרְדֳּכַ֣י אֶל־הַיְּהוּדִ֡ים וְאֶ֣ל הָאֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנִֽים־וְהַפַּחוֹת֩ וְשָׂרֵ֨י הַמְּדִינ֜וֹת אֲשֶׁ֣ר ׀ מֵהֹ֣דּוּ וְעַד־כּ֗וּשׁ שֶׁ֣בַע וְעֶשְׂרִ֤ים וּמֵאָה֙ מְדִינָ֔ה מְדִינָ֤ה וּמְדִינָה֙ כִּכְתָבָ֔הּ וְעַ֥ם וָעָ֖ם כִּלְשֹׁנ֑וֹ וְאֶ֨ל־הַיְּהוּדִ֔ים כִּכְתָבָ֖ם וְכִלְשׁוֹנָֽם׃
So the king’s scribes were summoned at that time, on the twenty-third day of the third month, that is, the month of Sivan; and letters were written, at Mordecai’s dictation, to the Jews and to the satraps, the governors and the officials of the one hundred and twenty-seven provinces from India to Nubia: to every province in its own script and to every people in its own language, and to the Jews in their own script and language.

וַיִּכְתֹּ֗ב בְּשֵׁם֙ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵרֹ֔שׁ וַיַּחְתֹּ֖ם בְּטַבַּ֣עַת הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח סְפָרִ֡ים בְּיַד֩ הָרָצִ֨ים בַּסּוּסִ֜ים רֹכְבֵ֤י הָרֶ֙כֶשׁ֙ הָֽאֲחַשְׁתְּרָנִ֔ים בְּנֵ֖י הָֽרַמָּכִֽים׃
He had them written in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed with the king’s signet. Letters were dispatched by mounted couriers, riding steeds used in the king’s service, bred of the royal stud,

אֲשֶׁר֩ נָתַ֨ן הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ לַיְּהוּדִ֣ים ׀ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּכׇל־עִיר־וָעִ֗יר לְהִקָּהֵל֮ וְלַעֲמֹ֣ד עַל־נַפְשָׁם֒ לְהַשְׁמִיד֩ וְלַהֲרֹ֨ג וּלְאַבֵּ֜ד אֶת־כׇּל־חֵ֨יל עַ֧ם וּמְדִינָ֛ה הַצָּרִ֥ים אֹתָ֖ם טַ֣ף וְנָשִׁ֑ים וּשְׁלָלָ֖ם לָבֽוֹז׃
to this effect: The king has permitted the Jews of every city to assemble and fight for their lives; if any people or province attacks them, they may destroy, massacre, and exterminate its armed force together with women and children, and plunder their possessions—

בְּי֣וֹם אֶחָ֔ד בְּכׇל־מְדִינ֖וֹת הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵר֑וֹשׁ בִּשְׁלוֹשָׁ֥ה עָשָׂ֛ר לְחֹ֥דֶשׁ שְׁנֵים־עָשָׂ֖ר הוּא־חֹ֥דֶשׁ אֲדָֽר׃
on a single day in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, namely, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, that is, the month of Adar.

https://www.sefaria.org/Esther.8.12
https://www.sefaria.org/Esther.8.11
https://www.sefaria.org/Esther.8.10
https://www.sefaria.org/Esther.8.9

More Light! More Joy! #Purim #BringThemHomeNow

WORLDWIDE SHEMA at UJA-Federation NY. #BringThemHomeNow #ShemaYisrael #AmYisraelChai

TAANIT ESTHER: We are united, we are strong, we will not be silenced.

VAYIKRA: The deep, life-affirming gift of ritual. #FOURYEARS

PEKUDEI: Every human being is shining and worthy of love. #AmYisraelChai ❤️🇮🇱

New Book Announcement: Seder Interrupted: A Post-October 7 Hagaddah Supplement

Seder Interrupted: A Post-October 7 Hagaddah Supplement

https://a.co/d/j4GYPnL 

Honored to have partnered with my friend, my teacher, Dr. Ora Horn Prouser and Academy for Jewish Religion in this timely project.

Pesach (Passover) is one of the holidays that is most widely celebrated in the Jewish community. This year, as so many are struggling with the events of October 7, the tragic suffering of Israeli hostages, and the rise of Antisemitism in the United States and beyond, the texts and observances of Passover are open to new and difficult meanings, new interpretation, and deep connections. How are we thinking about the definition of freedom this year? How do we read Vehi She’amdah this year as we see on a daily basis those who “seek our destruction”? What is the new meaning in L’shanah Haba’ah B’yerushalayim as many in the American Jewish community are strengthening connections to Israel? What will we be thinking during Shfoch Chamat'cha when we struggle with the concept of calling for God’s anger against our enemies? Seder Interrupted is a timely resource for the Jewish community that will help us all to process and celebrate Pesach 2024/5784 – finding joy and allowing ourselves to experience sadness, and connecting to the Divine and each other, perhaps in different ways in the new world we are experiencing.

https://a.co/d/j4GYPnL

PEKUDEI: We must demand our place in the world and we must make space for others.

Rosh Chodesh Adar: It is time to act on behalf of our People. #BringThemHomeNow #AmYisraelChai ❤️🇮🇱

VAYAKHEL: Radical Empathy & A Jewish Call to Action

VAYAKHEL: The Sanctity of Delight

Vayakhel: Appreciating the Artist’s heart #Broadcast1007

VAYAKHEL: Details and Testimony Matter

Today, dear friends, is the FOURTH SIYYUM of the UJA-Federation of New York #MorningTorah community. On March 18, 2020, we were reading this Torah portion. Together, we have completed FOUR TORAH CYCLES!! Through all of the complexity these four years have contained, we’ve found each other and shared the gift of Torah, lifting each other up and doing our best to heal this fragile world of ours. Thank You, Holy One, for making this our sacred portion, and for the gift of a purposeful life.

 

Ki Tissa: The Importance of Standing up to Power. (in memory of Ben Stern, z"l)

Ben Stern, Baruch Bendit ben Shimon Nussen veYentl, z"l

A Great One has left the earth, and we are poorer for our enormous loss. I am reeling, as are the countless people who loved and learned from Ben Stern, Baruch Bendit ben Shimon Nussen veYentl, z"l, a Survivor of two ghettos, nine concentration camps, and two death marches - and who lived until the age of 102 as a model of perseverance, testimony, justice, and love. My friend has died, and my heart mourns to its core.

Ben was a student of the great Rabbi Kalonymus Kalman Shapira in the Warsaw Ghetto. He witnessed, as a child in the Ghetto, the great educator Janusz Korczak, accompany by choice the children in his care out of the Ghetto to the camps, where he too was murdered. Ben created the Janusz Korczak Bnai Brith Lodge in Skokie and fought the Nazis when they threatened to March then in the 60's.

Ben's beloved daughter, Charlene, was among the founders of Congregation Netivot Shalom in Berkeley, where I was blessed to serve, and where Ben and his beloved Helen z"l moved. For several years, Ben brought groups of teens back to Poland and to Israel to inspire them by demonstrating for them the life-force of Am Yisrael, the Jewish People. In 2017, at the age of 96, Ben helped lead a March Against Hate, facing an entire city with the strength of his indefatigable soul. When I introduced him to my beloved Neshama, he danced before us on the spot and blessed our marriage, knowing that he wouldn't be able to attend our wedding.

It will always be among my deepest honors to have been his student.

We will march, my friend. I promise.
You have acquitted yourself nobly.
You have made your People proud.
Rest. Finally, dear man, rest.

Broadcast 1,000 of Morning Torah! #Shehechiyanu

Beginning the morning of March 18, 2020, UJA-Federation of NY Scholar in Residence Rabbi Menachem Creditor began broadcasting a 15-minute daily opportunity on FB Live for the New York Jewish community to come together and start each day with Jewish learning and inspiration. Born as a timely, local response to the dislocating impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic, these ongoing broadcasts have birthed a global community centered on sharing Torah and life every weekday morning. For the full archive, click here: https://rabbicreditor.blogspot.com/p/daily-broadcast.html

TETZAVEH: It is holy to show up with constant presence and a responsive heart.

TETZAVEH: Just as the High Priest did in ancient days, we wear our family on our chests. #BringThemHomeNow

Leadership is about placing the community before the self, just as Moses modeled. #PresidentsDay #Tetzaveh #Day136 #Broadcast995 #BringThemHomeNow #AmYisraelChai ❤️🇮🇱

 

**Call for Contributions to A Timely Passover Haggadah Supplement**

Friends, I'm thrilled to be partnering with my friend and teacher, Dr. Ora Horn Prouser and The Academy for Jewish Religion community to publish a supplement to the Passover Haggadah to be used at our sedarim this year, giving expression to our solidarity with Israel and the Jewish People. We are calling for submissions of short pieces, drashot, poems, and prayers.

Pesach is one of the holidays that is most widely celebrated in the Jewish community. This year, as so many are struggling with the events of October 7, the tragic suffering of the hostages, and the rise of antisemitism in the United States and beyond, the texts and observances of Passover are open to new and difficult meanings, new interpretation, and deep connections. How are we thinking about the definition of freedom this year? How do we read Vehi She’amdah this year as we see on a daily basis those who “seek our destruction”? What is the new meaning in L’shanah Haba’ah B’yerushalayim as many in the American Jewish community are strengthening connections to Israel? What will we be thinking during Shefokh Hamatkha when we struggle with the concept of calling for God’s anger against our enemies? Creating a collection of materials to be used at the seder will be very useful and powerful for the Jewish community.

Pieces should not exceed 500-700 words. We ask that you additionally write one or two sentences sharing where in the Seder you think your contribution belongs. Submissions and questions should be sent to HaggadahSupplement@ajr.edu. We are on a very short turnaround time, so we need materials submitted no later than February 29. Please note that we will not be able to include all contributions.

We urge you to join us in providing a resource for the Jewish community that will help us all to process and celebrate this upcoming holiday – finding joy and allowing ourselves to experience sadness, and connecting to the Divine and each other, perhaps in different ways in the new world we are experiencing.

Thank you for sharing this with others as well.

Am Yisrael Chai!

TERUMAH: How to find God: build a beloved community. #AmYisraelChai

TERUMAH: How to thrive in harsh times: ask for help, show up, find gratitude (& maybe even God).

MISHPATIM: We must remember to balance mercy with justice.

MISHPATIM: Eat. Drink. Live. That’s how to endure overwhelming intensity: #Broadcast988 #Day125 #BringThemHomeNow #AmYisraelChai

MISHPATIM: The urgency of knowing our stories. #AmYisraelChai

MISHPATIM: Acts of goodness that seem especially small matter so very much. #BringThemHomeNow

YITRO: Opening our hearts to wisdom is the beginning of truly learning Torah. #ShabbatShalom

For Israel - Morning Torah with Rabbi Menachem Creditor! #Yitro #Day118 #Broadcast983 #BringThemHomeNow #AmYisraelChai ❤️🇮🇱

 

YITRO: What sometimes feels like silence is actually an invitation for us all to begin again.

Olam Chesed Yibaneh | Jan. 27, 2024 | Neshama Carlebach Concert for Israel

Zionism is the Jewish People’s decision to end the story of Jews running for our lives. To face the very real threats against us with strength.

#Beshalach #Broadcast978 #Day111 #BringThemHomeNow #AmYisraelChai

Answering Bitterness by Reconnecting with Life Itself #Beshalach #TuBishvat #BringThemHome

How can we sing if we can’t breathe? What did our ancestors’ Song of the Sea truly sound like? #Beshalach #Day108 #BringThemHomeNow #Broadcast975 #AmYisraelChai

I haven't words enough to thank New York Attorney General Letitia James for her passionate and compassionate heart and testimony in this gathering in Brooklyn with Israeli hostage families. #BringThemHomeNow

 

Am Yisrael Chai: Essays, Prayers, and Poems (Volumes One and Two)

amazon.com/dp/B0CN5YBXTT

Am Yisrael Chai is a Two-Volume emergency response anthology of voices from all over the world, grieving and writhing from the horrors perpetrated upon the State of Israel on Simchat Torah 5784, October 7, 2023. Unfathomably terrible images are now forever emblazoned in our eyes, spread through social media where children have seen them as well. We bear witness. We must. This is a book of testimony and recollection, response and prayer. In the immediate aftermath of trauma, one cannot be expected to be thoughtful, mindful, creative. And yet this Two-Volume collection of soulful and eloquent expressions of pain and Global Jewish Solidarity makes the choice of title for this collection even more clear, and emphatic: Am Yisrael Chai! (Reviewed at JewishForward, JewishSF)

What to do When the World Acts with a Hardened Heart [Va'Era]

Neshama Carlebach - Invincible Spirit (In Solidarity with Israel)

Shmot: Wonder, Courage, and Humility