Rabbi Emily Cohen

I think that kavanah is exactly the point: that we do Jewish to be more fully human, not that we do Jewish to be more special and place ourselves above others. The purpose of Reconstructionist Judaism isn’t setting apart for its own sake but rather becoming better versions of ourselves

Honestly there unique trappings and traditions but most religious outlooks come down to 1 of 2 approaches:

- we do this because it helps us be more special

Or

- we do this because it helps us be more human

If you’re part of a religious group, make sure it’s the second kind.

MRFF President and Founder Mikey Weinstein, a veteran of the Air Force and the Reagan White House, told me that since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran early Saturday morning, the MRFF has been “inundated” with similar complaints: These calls have one damn thing in freaking common; our MRFF clients [service members who seek MRFF aid] report the unrestricted euphoria of their commanders and command chains as to how this new “biblically-sanctioned” war is clearly the undeniable sign of the expeditious approach of the fundamentalist Christian “End Times" as vividly described in the New Testament Book of Revelation. Many of their commanders are especially delighted with how graphic this battle will be zeroing in on how bloody all of this must become in order to fulfill and be in 100% accordance with fundamentalist Christian end of the world eschatology.

Well, that's bad

jonathanlarsen.substack.com/p/us-troops-...

Military leaders pushing 'Armageddon views' on troops as Iran war begins: complaint A combat-unit commander told non-commissioned officers Monday that the Iran war was part of God's plan to usher in the End Times and bring about Jesus Christ's second coming, according to a complaint ...

What they tell the NYT: “Israel made us do it”

What they tell their own troops: “we are super psyched for Armageddon because of our extremely specific Christian theology that surely you also share”

I’m wondering if you’d apply the same logic to senior healthcare. Should seniors save when they’re young so that when they become ill they don’t expect fellow citizens to sacrifice?

Children are a valuable part of society. Parents (usually mom) should not have to give up everything to raise them.

If childcare is a "big-ticket want" then are you suggesting only the wealthy should be able to have children? Or that a parent (usually mom) should leave their career to care for kids?

I have a 1 year old. My partner and I are both working professionals in good fields. We can barely afford care.

It’s easy to fall back on the trope of Jews as puppet masters. Jews as the source of the world’s ills.

So this isn’t about us. And most of us— God-willing all of us— will be safe tonight, which is certainly more than can be said for Iranians.

And it still sucks that Jews will be scared at Purim.

This moment is not at all *about* Jews, much less American Jews. This moment is about the people of Iran and the people with power using them to maintain their power.

But there are people who will follow the false logic of blame Israel—> blame Jews —> target American Jews.

Because it’s easy. ➡️

Tonight is Purim and Jewish communities will be gathering for joyful celebration. Lots of costumes. Lots of kids.

Our shul is on the same block as another shul (hello upper west side) and I’d bet good money that there will be at least 1 squad car out front tonight. And let’s be clear… ➡️

I am such an admirer of your work. But with respect, this dude has nazi sympathizer written all over him. In this case *literally*

I personally think that antisemitism will just be less of an issue for candidates over time. It will likely be treated more like other forms of bigotry, in that it will be acceptable as long as it helps those it doesn’t target.

It is possible to be glad that certain tyrants are no longer in power *and* to be deeply disturbed by how other would-be tyrants are wielding their power.

It is possible to be worried for Iranians *and* for Israelis in their bomb shelters and Palestinians without them.

Compassion has no ceiling.

I think you can worry about American Islamophobia without minimizing American antisemitism. People literally shoot up synagogues in this country, it’s not an imaginary problem or a matter of microaggressions against bourgeois knowledge workers, which is how I see fellow leftists describing it

the first leader of a major american jewish organization to suggest that the attack on iran is illegal and a quagmire-in-the-making

I’m not sure why it’s so challenging for people to understand that multiple things can be true at once and that nuance is a good thing.

People overseas love their kids just as much as you love yours. Your kids aren’t more special just because they were born on US soil

My visit to Susya with @truahrabbis.bsky.social nearly a decade ago was what really helped me to understand the inhumanity of the Occupation, and things have only gotten worse since.

Even if they make it through this insanity, Americans will have to deal with the fact that so very many people in their country were fine with everything, and how many even celebrated it. Not to mention how deep the damage has been to America's international relationships.

A piece of me broke when Trump stated…” we have LIFTED thousands off of SNAP benefits”, in reality yesterday my 72-year-old patient informed me her food benefits have dropped now from $152 a month to $40, and all the Republicans stood and cheered!

Shifra and Puah

Photo shows a short snowman next to a baby’s boot and a snow shovel

Good snow is when you can make a mini snowman at the bottom of the stoop in <5 minutes

Photo shows a snowy street with snow-covered cars and branches on each side

Good morning NYC!!!!

Photo shows a row of brownstones with stoops, sidewalks, trees and cars covered with snow

Brooklyn + snow = 😍

I think once they're posting conspiratorial claims about the Rothschild family, they've already arrived at full-blown antisemitism.

I guess we're taking this one very seriously?!

Photo shows a 14 month old in an NYC onesie sitting on a carpet with toys scattered around him

Just to say that this kid is the best thing that has ever happened to me and also I miss sleep.

Thousands of institutions abandoned programs, ended or rewrote scholarships, closed down clubs and publications, all in pre-emptive compliance.

And you know why?

Mostly because they wanted to do it if they thought they could blame someone else for it.

If your legislation to stop "voter fraud" prevents 21 million legitimate voters from voting, your legislation itself is voter fraud.

Also, if you know of any DHS/ICE activity at or near a church or house of worship, feel free to reach out — we're tracking them.

My Signal: jackmjenkins.60