The Other Side of the River, the Other Side of the Sea

by T'ruah
T'ruah's haggadah helps transform the seder into a conversation about immigration, racism, workers' rights, and forced labor.
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Remembering the Workers in the Field

by Rabbi Laura Abrasley
CIW’s Fair Food Program beautifully illustrates Deuteronomy’s call of zachor, to remember to push back against those who oppress the rights of others.
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How Drawing Near Leads to Speaking Out

by Rabbi Sharyn Henry
This drawing-near is ultimately what leads to Joseph’s emotions overwhelming him; breaking from silence into sobbing, he orders the room cleared and then reveals himself to his brothers. Our drawing-near is also what engaged our emotions and drew us from silence into speech.
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In Celebration of CIW and Ten Years of Fair Food

by Rabbi Susan Goldberg
A blessing by Rabbi Susan Goldberg
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The Finest That We Have To Offer (Parshat Tetzaveh)

by Abi Weber
Commentary on Parshat Tetzaveh (Exodus 27:20 – 30:10) In religious and spiritual communities, I am often asked to “shed layers” — that is, to dig deep into my soul, discerning what truly matters and letting go of the rest. There is a sense that spiritual connection has to do with getting rid of the extra...
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Harvest Prayer

by Miriam Grossman, Rabbinical Student, and Rabbi Lev Meirowitz Nelson
Sukkot, the fall harvest holiday, blends our gratitude for a bountiful harvest, our awareness of the fragility and vulnerability of all life, and our ancient communal memory of leaving Egypt to travel in the desert under God’s protection. This prayer-poem connects those themes to the astounding human rights accomplishments of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers...
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A Yovel for the Poor People’s Campaign (Parshat Behar/Bechukotai)

by Rabbi Debra Kolodny
Commentary on Parshat Behar/Bechukotai (Leviticus 25:1 – 27:34) One week from today, Monday May 14, the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival will launch across this country. As I prepare for this momentous event, I’m struck by the alignment of Torah and sacred season. This Shabbat when we read of the yovel...
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Dealing With Guilt, Getting Closer To Hope

by Rabbi Elyse Wechterman
“Some are guilty, all are responsible.” – Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel What are we to do about our guilt? How do we take responsibility? Opportunities to feel guilty are everywhere these days. Simply opening Facebook or turning on the television brings us face to face with terrible tragedies and injustices caused by human failures and...
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The Sacred Task of Following Instructions

by Rabbi Jessica K. Shimberg
Let’s face it: change is usually slow. Confronting the institutional injustices we see at all levels of government and many parts of corporate America, it’s hard to know which of the two moves slower. As we persist, we need opportunities to renew our hope and inspire others to continue working to bring about desperately needed...
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Hunger: Edom or Israel?

by Rabbi Robin Podolsky
There were three hundred and sixty five thoroughfares in the great city of Rome, and in each there were three hundred and sixty five palaces; and in each palace, there were three hundred and sixty five stories and each story contained sufficient to provide the whole world with food. (Talmud Bavli Pesachim 118b) With less...
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