Jinsider

(Spiritual) Party Like It's 5772

09/09/2011 | Mark Pearlman | Jinsider

We asked our Top Jew teachers and rabbis for a few inspirational thoughts to prepare us for the 5772 holiday season. Below are the highlights from some of their classic comments.. Visit http://www.jinsider.com for the full interviews. Tell us what you think at connect@jinsider.com.

Passover Reflections and the Four Cups of Wine

04/14/2011 | Mark Pearlman | JInsider

How can we better understand the lessons of Passover in the context of our experience as Jews in the 21st century? To do this, Rabbi Irwin Kula uses the four cups of wine to offer insights into the Exodus story and help us grasp our identity and obligations in this modern age. Your Passover seder may never be the same after reading this inspiring and thoughtful commentary.

Cup One: The Slaves

The Fifth Question

04/11/2011 | Mark Pearlman | JInsider

Most people are familiar with the four questions of Passover (especially all those youngest siblings out there), but while we Ma Nishtanah the same way every year, the important questions facing Jews are constantly evolving. To keep up with the changing times, for this column we asked: What would be a good Fifth Question to make this year’s Passover different than all others?

Creative Judaism

03/24/2011 | Mark Pearlman | JInsider

Newsweek recently ran a cover story on the crisis of creativity in America. To understand the Jewish perspective, JInsider asked Rabbi Yehuda Sarna to explain how our tradition promotes and fosters our creative self. Sarna has earned a following in the college community for his thoughtful leadership as Rabbi for the Bronfman Center for Jewish Student Life at NYU and University Chaplain.

The Purim To-Do List

03/14/2011 | Mark Pearlman | JInsider

For Purim 5771, JInsider wanted to offer a list of traditions and customs to follow that will help connect to the holiday. We spoke with Rabbi DovBer Pinson and excerpted his recently published booklet, The Purim Reader, which is available at Amazon. Tell us what you think at connect@jinsider.com.

Ami Eden: Shaping the Future of Jewish Journalism

03/08/2011 | Mark Pearlman of JInsider

Jewish journalism is at a crossroads. Disruptive technology, an evolving communal identity and tight media economics all make for a challenging environment. JInsider’s newest Top Jew, Ami Eden is one of the key media players shaping the future of journalism in the Jewish community. Eden is the highly regarded editor of JTA, the Jewish news agency that provides reports and commentary to Jewish newspapers around the country, including The Jewish Week. The Jewish news wire also operates the website www.jta.org. JInsider spoke with Eden for his perspective on a range of issues.