by Balaam's Donkey [➚] · Wednesday, December 6th, 2006
From JTA:
The Conservative movement’s highest legal body moved to allow commitment ceremonies for gays and the ordination of gay rabbis.
The Committee on Jewish Law and Standards endorsed three opinions Wednesday on homosexuality.
Two opinions upheld earlier prohibitions on homosexual activity, but the third endorsed commitment ceremonies and the ordination of gay rabbis, while retaining the biblical ban on male sodomy.
Two other opinions that were under consideration, which would have removed all restrictions on gay activity, were declared takanot, or substantial breaks from tradition that would require an absolute majority of the committee members for adoption.
They were defeated.
by Balaam's Donkey [➚] · Wednesday, September 20th, 2006
As a proud student at the Jewish Theological Seminary, I have always been a little bit disappointed at the fact that we don’t have awesome JTS gear that I could proudly keep in the bottom of my dresser, never to be worn. Why, oh why, is there no JTS clothing?
And then I found this:
JTS is the latest innovation in Christian apparel. With designs specifically tailored to the uniqueness of today’s Christian community, JTS seeks to provide a faith-based clothing line that appeals to both Christian and non-Christian alike. The company is engaged in the production of all apparel essentials and accessories; however, t-shirts represent the major share of the company’s production. We are dedicated to providing the highest quality apparel meeting the needs of today’s fashion conscious Christian.
If this is what I gotta do for a for some JTS gear, then John 3:16 it is, I guess.
by Balaam's Donkey [➚] · Wednesday, September 20th, 2006
Yeah, I know it’s a big picture, but it oughta get your attention.
If you’re in NYC for Yom Kippur, and interested in a ritual experience unlike any other, you’re invited to join Storahtelling at the Union Square Ballroom for “A Wake Up Call for the Soul”.
I’m personally excited for the Kol Nidre, which will include an exploration of the 1927 film, “The Jazz Singer”. As I just learned about this movie, the first words ever uttered in a “talkie”, if you will, were the words of the Kol Nidre, so it should be interesting to see how this is blended into the ritual.
After that, it’s a daylong mixture of ritual, theatre, music, comtemplation, text study and more, closing with a break-fast and cash bar at the Ballroom itself. While I would openly admit that I have an extreme pro-Storahtelling bias, my first real experience with them was during Yom Kippur last year, and the impact of it has not left me a year later. I encourage and welcome any and all of you to join us.
For more information, you can go here
by Balaam's Donkey [➚] · Monday, June 5th, 2006
Given the fact that I was schooled in Jewish institutions through high school, attended Jewish camps, youth groups, experiential learning programs, etc….and then went straight into the field of Jewish education upon graduating college, I would happily admit this Jewish ed is something that is on my mind on a fairly regular basis.
Jewschool being a venue for alternative views and culture, I find that we do not discuss alternatives within Jewish education all that often. I know as a fact that our contributors represent a remarkably broad and diverse set of experiences and educational backgrounds, and our commentors as well, even if we are always arguing with one another (hopefully for a higher cause).
That being said, I am hoping to see a conversation happen here in some comments.
Where am I going with this?
More »
by Balaam's Donkey [➚] · Friday, May 26th, 2006
Join Storahtelling to find out how!
After an eternity of not posting, Mobius got me to promise at least once a week, and I will strive for this, but now I am both extremely proud and slightly ashamed for my return to Jewschool to be stinking of self-promotion.
But here’s the deal: Storahtelling is having its first ever StorahLAB Summer Training Institute for Jewish educators working in congregational settings, among others. I will avoid details here in the post and send you to the site for the Institute by telling you to click here if you want to learn more.
This is going to be an amazing program for any educator who wants to help their students develop a meaningful and relevant relationship to our sacred texts while bringing the performing arts into the Hebrew school classroom. So if you’re not working in the field, do a Jewschooler a kindness and pass this on to anyone you know who is. They will thank you for it someday.
How can I be so sure about this? Because I’m planning it. Donkey out!
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