Dec 10, 2023
Thank you CBS New York for bringing me and New Rochelle Mayor-Elect Yadira Ramos-Herbert, to talk about Channukah this year, the Elected Officials Solidarity Mission to Israel we shared, and our hopes for the future of our community.
Thank you CBS New York for bringing me and New Rochelle Mayor-Elect Yadira Ramos-Herbert, to talk about Channukah this year, the Elected Officials Solidarity Mission to Israel we shared, and our hopes for the future of our community.
Dec 8, 2023
Dec 6, 2023
Dec 1, 2023
Nov 3, 2023
A Prayer for the Jewish People Right Now
A Prayer for the Jewish People Right Now
Rabbi Menachem Creditor
We are holding our children, our mothers,
our elders, our parents, our teachers, our grandchildren,
our warriors, our babies, our peacekeepers.
We are holding our very soul.
God, protect our children's minds and hearts
from the images emblazoned now in our eyes ,
from the nightmare that has somehow become real.
Our enemy, the face of real evil,
seeks to destroy our family, body and soul.
God, protect our protectors, Israel's Defense Forces
who are, after all, only children.
They are our children fighting for our future.
Shield them as they serve
as a sword we hate to need.
We must be like steel. We must be like iron.
But we must never lose our warm and loving hearts along the way.
We will fight until they are all erased
from under the face of the Heavens.
We have no choice.
So, God, please hold our hearts.
Let us not become hard like stone
as we do what we must to save our lives,
and as we demand of the world to bear witness
as we fight for our very existence.
One day soon, please God,
as we will do the intense work of healing,
when our family unites in the great work of rebuilding,
we will breathe more easily.
But, please God, help us remember to breathe
as we do this urgent work now,
amidst the grief and pain.
May the Holy One hold all of our sisters and brothers, mothers and fathers, children, and elders, all of us fighting for our lives and for the survival of Am Yisrael.
May our soldiers do what they must, facing evil with inner strength and unwavering courage, knowing that we love them and that we are sending all of our strength to them.
May the Shomer Yisrael, God the Protector, guard our sisters and brothers in captivity, and return them all home in safety.
God, be within us as we make this promise, once again: Am Yisrael Chai.
Amen.
Nov 2, 2023
Oct 30, 2023
Oct 27, 2023
Oct 26, 2023
The Volunteer Army at the UJA-Federation of NY Jerusalem Campus for the Arts
Just hours after the horrific attacks by Hamas, a student at the UJA-Federation of NY Jerusalem Campus for the Arts asked the director of the Nissan Nativ Acting Studio — one of the schools located on the campus — if he could use the building to coordinate a volunteer response. Since then, efforts have ballooned, with about 1,000 volunteers every day.
The Jerusalem Campus for the Arts, a UJA initiative, opened its doors in November 2022 as a diverse, inclusive center for creative collaboration. Today, it’s a wartime command center.
Every corner is filled with grass-roots organizations and groups of people — young and old who have not been called up for service — thinking, mobilizing, and creatively collaborating.
Volunteers are relocating families who’ve had to flee their homes. They’re collecting and putting together care packages for those whose homes have been destroyed. They’re raising funds for soldiers who desperately need gear, equipment, and personal care items and they’re organizing transportation for them to get to and from their bases. And students from the Nissan Nativ Acting Studio are traveling throughout the country to displaced families, babysitting and performing to distract children.
The Nissan Nativ Acting Studio has also become an overnight shelter. Jerusalem families without safe rooms are spending their nights here — every night, indefinitely, with 24/7 security.
The Jerusalem Campus for the Arts was built for creative collaboration. Now, this collaboration is saving lives.
Oct 25, 2023
Announcing the Publication of Am Yisrael Chai: Poems, Prayers, and Essays - 94 Authors, One Heart - United in Solidarity with Israel
Am Yisrael Chai: Poems, Prayers, and Essays
94 Authors, One Heart - United in Solidarity with Israel
edited by Rabbi Menachem Creditor
artwork by Joanne Fink
Table of Contents: https://tinyurl.com/
Introduction: https://tinyurl.
for Kedoshei Yisrael, our fallen ones, whose blessed memories will never fade.
for Am Yisrael, the Jewish People, our family all over the world.
for Medinat Yisrael, the State of Israel, our home, now and forever.
Am Yisrael Chai is an 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. The entire Jewish world is in trauma. This was not Poland in 1942. It was 9 days ago in the State of Israel. We bear witness. We must. This is a book of testimony and recollection, response and prayer. That’s why the collection bears the title Am Yisrael Chai. This is our life – and we share it, recommitting to life itself, fighting for it, praying for it.
In the immediate aftermath of trauma, one cannot be expected to be thoughtful, mindful, creative. And yet you hold a collection of soulful and eloquent expressions of pain and Global Jewish Solidarity make the choice of title for this collection even more clear, and emphatic: Am Yisrael Chai!
As of the moment this manuscript went to print, a mere 9 days after the atrocity that struck our people in the heart, UJA-Federation of New York has raised over 85 million dollars from donors in support of our Emergency Israel Campaign, and we have already allocated 22 million of it to organizations on the ground in Israel who are supporting those in harm’s way, those in dire need, and those who have lost family members. We are there in a profound way, to help our People in this dark time. All proceeds from this book project will support UJA-Federation of NY’s Emergency Israel Campaign.
We will never bring back those whose lives we have lost. There are too many new stars in the sky. But we lift up our eyes to Heaven and we will remember them as a blessing. We will, as our hearts regain strength, heal that which has been broken. But we will never, not ever, be the same.
May this collection be of real support to our sisters and brothers, our parents, our grandparents, and most of all - our children.
May the Holy One bless Medinat Yisrael, the State of Israel, Reisheet Tz’michat Ge’ulateinu, the beginning of the flourishing of our redemption.
May our family see better days very, very soon.
Am Yisrael Chai!
Oct 23, 2023
Oct 18, 2023
President Biden's News Conference in Israel | Wednesday, October 18 2023
QUICK GUIDE Search the Video Library SCHEDULE TV NETWORKS RADIO PODCASTS APP DONATE All Series American History TV Book TV Washington Journal Congress Executive Supreme Court LOGIN X OCTOBER 18, 2023 President Biden Holds News Conference in Israel “I come to Israel with a single message, you are not alone,” said President Biden during his remarks on U.S. support for Israel during his trip… read more Report Video Issue https://www.c-span.org/video/?531206-1/president-biden-holds-news-conference-israel Share This Video Clip Bookmark To MyC-SPAN Embed Clipping Guide Text type Filter by Speaker Search this text 00:00:16 Good afternoon. Please have a seat. I come to Israel with a single message. You're not alone. You are not alone as long as the United States stands... Show Full Text 00:15:48 Mr President. What is your red line that would prompt us military involvement in this war? *This text was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning. PEOPLE IN THIS VIDEO Antony "Tony" J. Blinken Secretary Department of State HOSTING ORGANIZATION White House More information about President Biden Holds News Conference in Israel Purchase a Download President Biden Holds News Conference in Israel FEATURED CLIPS FROM THIS VIDEO Post Image 10:11 AM President Biden to Send Supplemental Request for Israel to Congress Later This Week Speaking in Tel Aviv, President Biden vows to protect Israel and make it safe again. He also announces that he will… 1 MINUTE185 VIEWS RELATED VIDEO Secretary Blinken News Conference with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu OCTOBER 12, 2023 Secretary Blinken News Conference with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu While Israel could defend itself against attacks from Hamas, the U.S. would be offering military and diplomatic aid,… Secretary Blinken Comments to Reporters Before Traveling to Israel and Jordan OCTOBER 11, 2023 Secretary Blinken Comments to Reporters Before Traveling to Israel and Jordan Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to reporters before flying to Israel and Jordan for meetings with their… Secretary Blinken News Conference on Middle East Peace JANUARY 31, 2023 Secretary Blinken News Conference on Middle East Peace Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke about his meetings with Middle East leaders to advance the peace process and… Secretary Blinken and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu Give Remarks JANUARY 30, 2023 Secretary Blinken and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu Give Remarks Secretary of State Blinken and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave brief remarks following their meeting in… USER CREATED CLIPS FROM THIS VIDEO President Biden to Send Supplemental Request for Israel to Congress Later This Week OCTOBER 18, 2023 President Biden to Send Supplemental Request for Israel to Congress Later This Week 1 MINUTE185 VIEWSbiden hamas evil OCTOBER 18, 2023 User Clip: biden hamas evil 32 SECONDS6 VIEWStruman stand by your side OCTOBER 18, 2023 User Clip: truman stand by your side 23 SECONDS4 VIEWSaid to palestinian OCTOBER 18, 2023 User Clip: aid to palestinian 1 MINUTE4 VIEWSView all clips from this video ABOUT C-SPAN Our Mission Our History Cameras In The Court Milestones Leadership Jobs In The Community Video Library Viewer Guide RESOURCES C-SPAN Classroom Blog Series A-Z Press Center FAQs Contact Us Shop C-SPAN's Book Collection World Legislatures MyC-SPAN Login C-SPAN Now App Download Download C-SPAN Podcasts FOLLOW C-SPAN Twitter © 2023 National Cable Satellite Corporation Copyrights and LicensingTerms and ConditionsPrivacy Sponsored Video Sponsored by Advertising Partner Sponsored Video Sponsored by Advertising Partner Sponsored Video Sponsored by Advertising Partner Sponsored Video Sponsored by Advertising Partner
Oct 15, 2023
Oct 13, 2023
Oct 11, 2023
Oct 10, 2023
Oct 8, 2023
A Closing Reflection after a Terrible Day
A Closing Reflection after a Terrible Day
Oct. 8, 2023
Today was the longest 10 years of so many people's lives.
I can't fathom that this is real. I've witnessed interconnectivity and heroism in the face of true evil and mass atrocities. I stood with elected officials and interfaith clergy and felt seen and comforted. This didn't bring back the 700+ Israeli souls murdered by Hamas terrorists.
All around the world, including the Eiffel Tower, Downing Street, the Empire State Building, the capital building of Azerbaijan, the monuments in Buenos Aires, the Brandenburg Gate in Germany, the Israeli flag was projected in solidarity with Israel. This didn't suddenly return the hundreds of young and old people stolen from their homes.
The needs in Israel are extraordinary and will only grow. The days to come will be hard. And there are no simple next steps. But there are responses we can all tap into. We can help. We can give. We can rally. We can pray. We can reach out to family and friends in Israel. We can take care of ourselves. We can demand justice and fair representation in the media. It won't undo this terror. But it is something. And it will require all of our hearts and souls and might.
Nothing will be enough, and we'll get to work again tomorrow morning.
May God bless the State of Israel with peace.
May our children and our elders be returned home in safety very, very soon.
Bless you all.
Am Yisrael Chai - The People of Israel Lives.
Amen.
A Prayer for Right Now
A Prayer for Right Now
Rabbi Menachem Creditor
Oh, God, how can any of this be?
How can people act in such depraved, evil ways?
These images, seared into my eyes, should never be, never have been. And yet, they are now in me forever.
Everywhere I turn,
someone's grandmother has been kidnapped,
someone's sister has been murdered,
someone's student has been murdered,
a mayor has been murdered,
atrocities upon children
atrocities upon the bodies of our sisters and brothers...
those who survived
hid in dark rooms for 10 hours of terrified silence
evoking trauma I dare not name
and dare not forget
and mad glee in the eyes of terrorists,
celebrations of terrible hurt caused.
Oh, God, save me from the rage and grief overwhelming me. Push me to seek strict justice, even through force, but save me from my soul's ache for revenge.
May the evil ones be wiped from the earth.
May our children and grandparents and students and friends be brought home in safety.
May we somehow emerge from this.
God, please.
Just anything, God, please.
But not this.
not this.
Oct 5, 2023
**Very Special Announcement** Announcing the publication of: The Consequences of Listening: Selected Writings 2018-2022
Selected Writings 2018-2022
Rabbi Menachem Creditor
paperback: amazon.com/dp/B0CKHWXWM7
hardcover: amazon.com/dp/B0CKJ12ZRK
This book is not quite an intentional record of a Global Pandemic and an American Insurrection during four intense years of human history. But I can’t imagine these swirling feelings didn’t find their ways into my words. Writing has always been a release for my soul, a way of reaching out to the Divine and to community, to my ancestors and to my descendants, and, more and more to my own soul. I learned so much as I poured these words out over. So very much. It means the world to me that these words – written during a time that travels forward within me – have reached others. Perhaps we will meet one day with eyes that have seen a thing or two, and perhaps we’ll smile. I sure hope so. For now, I am overwhelmed with gratitude to share with you this new volume of my writing.
#NewBook #NewBookAlert #NewBooks #newbookrelease #newbooktoread #newbooks2023
Oct 4, 2023
Oct 3, 2023
Oct 2, 2023
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Sep 13, 2023
Sep 11, 2023
Sep 9, 2023
Three Selichot Prayers: Right Now, Forgive us, Hand on Heart
Rabbi Menachem Creditor
*Right Now*
(2023)
Dear God, here we are again.
We made it one more time around.
We've got a lot to talk about, Holy One.
So much to cry about, sing about,
to worry and hope and vent and pray...
It's been so much, this past year,
You know? Yes, You know.
We know You know.
But this moment,
we begin again.
We get to let go of last year.
Not just us, but You too, Boreinu, Our Creator.
You get to begin again too.
We both get another chance to get it right, Holy One.
We begin again, right now.
Let it begin, tonight. Now.
Let's get it right... now.
Amen.
*Forgive Us*
(2022)
God, forgive us, but please help us surpass the pre-written stuff. Remind us to believe in our own living hearts and mouths and souls.
Hear us when we speak.
Comfort us when we cry.
Guide us when we stray.
God, please forgive us for the things we did wrong and were brave enough to name, strong enough to own, and hopeful enough to see past.
May the coming year find us ready to be our full size, strong and brave and hopeful, alive and healthy and safe.
May the coming year be a good one.
For everyone, Dear God, for everyone.
Amen.
*Hand on Heart*
(2017)
I stand before You, open-hearted and open-souled. You've seen my year, held me every step of this path. I stand before You.
I weep before You, revealed and breathless. You've been watching me learn, one lesson at a time. I weep tears of gratitude before You.
I sing before You, chest pounding the rhythm of every prayer inside me. Your quiet intensity permeates my very being. I sing before You.
I ask. I thank. I admit. I feel. I hope. I wonder. I cry. I sing. I breathe.
You. You. You. You. You. You. You.
Amen
_______________________
#selichot #prayer
Sep 4, 2023
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Aug 6, 2023
Building Community Through Prayer Workshop - Resources
click here for the sheets
Kol HaOlam
Ofra Chaza - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WnEAxa1tFc
Yosef Goldman - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KgUp9Gusdk
Tov LeHodot
Yonina - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gn_1yoj0_1w
Shlomo Carlebach - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naVSSKH6oGM
BeSheim HaShem
Neshama Carlebach - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi878_1WIGQ
Olam Chesed Yibaneh
Menachem Creditor - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8keJKyL-40A
Ana Hashem
Shlomo Carlebach and Neshama Carlebach - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmCEhurZ8vU
Ani Ma'amin
Group - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjo8q_dW2kU
Yonina - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oucFFlau2Vc
Bilvavi
Yonina - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S51jOhOj8JQ
Im Eshkacheich
Lev Tahor - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdr9PEu2DFY
Shlomo Carlebach - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1t3MPxKSESI
Lev Tahor
Nava Tehila - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqbADXu4JOE
Neshama Carlebach - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnztGmpXDl4
Esa Einai
Nefesh Mountain - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWD9xyWO0vY
Neshama Carlebach - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHuVLi4ShQ8
Aug 4, 2023
Aug 3, 2023
Aug 1, 2023
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Jun 19, 2023
Artificial Intelligence
Impossible Torah: The Complete AI Torah Commentary
For the entire Table of Contents: tinyurl.com/aiTorahPreview
 |
| purchase on amazon.com |
Through the technology of OpenAI ChatGPT, diverse voices from throughout history and culture are brought back to life, each generated to reflect on a Torah portion through the unique prism of their life's recorded work. The only consciously written component of the book is Rabbi Creditor's introductory essay, reflecting on the project itself. Be fascinated, confused, and excited as you explore what this all means in the world of Torah and Jewish meaning-making.
- Essay: An AI Torah Commentary? Times of Israel (Feb. 27, 2023)
- Essay: Artificial Intelligence and God Kisses Times of Israel (March 15, 2023)
- A Video intro to the #ImpossibleTorah AI project
- Video: A Reflection on Sinai and AI
- Video: Love is like a River, and the limits of AI
- Video: The Vital Importance of "Do Not" - AI and the Human Soul
Jun 16, 2023
Jun 15, 2023
Jun 14, 2023
Jun 13, 2023
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Jun 6, 2023
Jun 5, 2023
Jun 1, 2023
May 31, 2023
May 30, 2023
*CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS* Where Are My People? An Interfaith Anthology of Religious Leaders Whose Sacred Work Began During the COVID-19 Pandemic
*CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS*
An Interfaith Anthology of Religious Leaders Whose
Sacred Work Began During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Edited by Rabbi Menachem Creditor
The COVID-19 pandemic redefined life in every corner of the world. No one could have imagined the immensity of its impact and the new possibilities that emerged in its wake. Rabbis, Imams, Priests, Ministers, and Pastors whose sacred work began during the pandemic preached and provided pastoral care to communities they had never seen and whose hands they were unable to hold. New technologies enabled clergy to reach far beyond conventional boundaries of community with soulful offerings that helped countless others feel less alone. But how did clergy feel as they supported countless others with whom they had never shared physical space? What unique wisdom might emerge from their unprecedented experiences? "Where Are My People" will be an interfaith anthology of reflective writings from within the clergy community, representing a true diversity of very human voices, grounded and vulnerable, inspiring and honest, published in order to amplify the wisdom gained during a very difficult moment in human history.
Submissions of sermons, poems, prayers, and essays (any length is welcome up to 2,000 words) should be sent to torahwithin@gmail.com - in WORD format - no later than August 1, 2023.
May 25, 2023
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Mar 14, 2023
This is the most beautiful thing I have seen in a very long time. You should watch it. You should share it with everyone you know, especially with those you don't speak to anymore. It could heal everything, even your own beautiful heart. Andrea Gibson is so godly, words so holy, delivery so piercing soft. How blessed we are to have this human being's voice in our world. NPR Tiny Desk Contest 2023 - Andrea Gibson - MAGA HAT IN THE CHEMO ROOM
Mar 13, 2023
VaYakhel-Pekudei: Our Third Siyyum of the Entire Torah! #Broadcast754
Today, the UJA-Federation of New York #MorningTorah community celebrated our third Siyyum! Three times through the entire Torah, as on March 18, 2020, we convened our 9am community online for the very first time, learning Parashat VaYakhel-Pekudei. We found each other, friends, we found each other. And we've learned every weekday - every single day - for 3 years. I invited this precious community to do four things to mark this momentous occasion: 1) don't stop learning! 2) share Torah with other 3) make a gift to UJA, with gratitude for launching this community, and 4) build community by showing up. Join us every weekday, as we begin a FOURTH cycle of Torah learning - you can find us at 9am (NY time) at https://www.facebook.com/ujafedny! #Shehechiyanu #Siyyum #SiyyumHaTorah #Broadcast754
Mar 10, 2023
Mar 9, 2023
Mar 7, 2023
Mar 3, 2023
Shabbat Zachor: Remember Amalek and Look Within #Zachor #ShabbatZachor #Amalek #Purim #Broadcast748
Shabbat Zachor: Remember Amalek and Look Within #Zachor #ShabbatZachor #Amalek #Purim #Broadcast748
Feb 27, 2023
Feb 24, 2023
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Feb 13, 2023
The AI Torah Commentary, Volume 2: Exodus has been published!
The AI Torah Commentary, Volume 2: Exodus has been published!
A brief note, reflecting on some conversations I've been having about what this is and isn't: AI is going to disrupt everything, especially online content. It's all new. It's all fraught. Here's what I actually did in creating this commentary: conceived of the project, composed an introduction, selected the voices from the past, crafted specific prompts for chatgpt, edited for accuracy, formatted, created the cover, submitted for review with the independent publisher, and published. That should suffice for the ethics. Nothing purports to be "the voice of," but rather "in the style of", and all figures chosen fit the parameter of no longer being alive and not having spoken hatefully of others. I feel good about those aspects. But this whole AI thing is very complicated. I've taught about this every morning since the day Volume 1 went public (you can find it on the UJA-Federation of New York FB page in the archived videos starting last Tuesday). All 5 volumes should be completed within the next few weeks. My goal is to prompt thoughtful conversation and debate about this brave, strange new technology, what it means and what it doesn't, how it differs from classic techniques like bibliodrama and how it resembles imaginative, historical fiction. Much to discuss.
#ImpossibleTorah #AITorah #AITorahCommentary #Exodus
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Thank you CBS New York for bringing me and New Rochelle Mayor-Elect Yadira Ramos-Herbert, to talk about Channukah this year, the Elected Officials Solidarity Mission to Israel we shared, and our hopes for the future of our community.
Thank you CBS New York for bringing me and New Rochelle Mayor-Elect Yadira Ramos-Herbert, to talk about Channukah this year, the Elected Off...
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A new Bigger on the Inside post: #Hook - "There You Are" "There you are, Peter!" Over time, our eyes can become dim. ...
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Rabbi David Wolpe in WashingtonPost.com: "Divorce is a death" Rabbi David Wolpe http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/on-faith/...
