From the Union For Reform Judaism / Reform Movement

The Brutalist: A Jewish Immigrant Saga for the Ages

The Brutalist: A Jewish Immigrant Saga for the Ages jemerman

Holocaust
Photo of Adrien Brody in a scene from the movie "The Brutalist"
Brady Corbet's "The Brutalist" opens with Hungarian architect, Jewish Holocaust survivor, and soon-to-be freshly minted U.S. immigrant László Toth in the shadowy depths of a ship headed into New York Harbor.

Proud JEWS

Proud JEWS jemerman

Modern Day Issues in Antisemitism
Photo of the words "Proud Jews" written in chalk on the sidewalk
Right before Sukkot, I noticed the word "JEW" carved into my sidewalk. I began to grind out the word, but rather decided to replace the space by adding "Proud JEWs" to the sidewalk.

Broadcasting the Miracle of Fat Liberation

Broadcasting the Miracle of Fat Liberation jemerman

Hanukkah
Photo of a menorah with 7 candles lite
At Fat Torah, Hanukkah is our favorite holiday. Hanukkah in particular is a holiday that celebrates fat. On Hanukkah, we remember that miraculous oil that was meant to only last for one day and ended up lighting the rededicated Temple in Jerusalem for eight days. Eating foods fried in oil, in fat, is a key part of this commemoration.

Winterfaith

Winterfaith jemerman

Hanukkah
Photo of two kids sitting on a snow board surrounded by a lot of snow and trees
"Winterfaith" seems a much more apt description for me than "interfaith." We're not observing two religions; I was raised Jewish, and my partner was not. Together, we are raising our children as Jewish campers, and even after 15+ years of our relationship, 11 of which with at least one child, the winter holidays are when our "interfaith" background proves to be the most challenging.

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