Ideas and action for a new generation. en-us http://www.religiondispatches.org/rss/button.gif http://www.religiondispatches.org/ Religion Dispatches http://www.religiondispatches.org/ Copyright 2010 Religion Dispatched. All rights reserved. en-us http://www.religiondispatches.org/blog/economy/1518/doonesbury_comic_waxes_eloquent_on_the_greatness_of_jesus%2C_slams_old_testament_god/ <p>Doonesbury creator Gary Trudeau picks up an unfortunate thread in his latest cartoon, in which a character ponders the superiority of Jesus to the wrathful OT deity, and inferences are made regarding moneychangers and usury.</p> Tue, 02 Jun 2009 11:48:01 PDT Benjamin Weiner http://www.religiondispatches.org/blog/religionandtheology/1453/is_it_kosher_now_the_evolution_of_kashrut_in_the_wake_of_the_agriprocessor_fiasco/ <p>From Kosher to Eco-Kosher to Righteously Kosher, Jews are amplifying the notion of the sacredness of food to include care for workers and the environment.</p> Fri, 15 May 2009 16:04:01 PDT Benjamin Weiner http://www.religiondispatches.org/blog/religionandtheology/1430/the_end_of_jewish_education_as_we_know_it/ <p>In hard economic times choices must be made and Jewish philanthropies are letting go of cherished educational organizations. Reminds us of a classical ethical question about survival in the desert...</p> Tue, 05 May 2009 15:21:01 PDT Benjamin Weiner http://www.religiondispatches.org/blog/mediaculture/1384/chabon%2C_safran-foer%2C_krauss%E2%80%94the_%E2%80%9Cnew_yiddishists%E2%80%9D%E2%80%94don%27t_speak_yiddish/ <p>On Vanity Fair's profile of the post-Roth and Bellow generation of Jewish novelists.</p> Thu, 23 Apr 2009 22:59:01 PDT Benjamin Weiner http://www.religiondispatches.org/blog/sexandgender/1366/lesbian_rabbi_to_lead_socal_board%2C_includes_orthodox/ <p>Having a lesbian head a transdenominational body opens the door to gay rights across the board—a little like wondering if an Iowa marriage will be accepted in Alabama.</p> Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:17:01 PDT Benjamin Weiner http://www.religiondispatches.org/blog/religionandtheology/1350/bearded_soldiers%3A_religious_tension_in_israel/ <p>Giving free rein to their follicles, a Conservative group of IDF soldiers defies powerful, state-sanctioned Orthodox Rabbinate.</p> Mon, 13 Apr 2009 12:26:01 PDT Benjamin Weiner http://www.religiondispatches.org/blog/mediaculture/1314/new_study%3A_jews_more_%E2%80%9Cspiritual%E2%80%9D_less_ancestral/ <p>A new study appears to beg the question: what does it even mean to be Jewish?</p> Mon, 06 Apr 2009 14:12:01 PDT Benjamin Weiner http://www.religiondispatches.org/blog/mediaculture/1289/gaza_play_sparks_mixed_reaction_among_jews/ <p>Seven Jewish Children, which tells the story of the recent Israeli war in Gaza, stirs up discomfort among some Jews, and support from others.</p> Tue, 31 Mar 2009 14:12:01 PDT Benjamin Weiner http://www.religiondispatches.org/blog/religionandtheology/1282/catholic-jewish_tension_and_the_rededication_of_catholic_holocaust_memorial/ <p>At a time when the Pope isn’t doing much to help Jewish-Catholic relations, the Boston Diocese reaches out.</p> Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:28:01 PDT Benjamin Weiner http://www.religiondispatches.org/blog/international/1272/new_poll_reveals_jews_may_be_open_to_change_in_israel_policy/ <p>Don't break out the Ram's Horn just yet, the Devil's in the details.</p> Tue, 24 Mar 2009 13:37:01 PDT Benjamin Weiner http://www.religiondispatches.org/blog/religionandtheology/1264/theses_nailed_to_wall_of_conservative_jewry/ <p>A copy of the missive, leaked to the press, charges the conservative movement with being insular, unresponsive, and of diminishing value to its member organizations.</p> Mon, 23 Mar 2009 11:24:01 PDT Benjamin Weiner http://www.religiondispatches.org/blog/sexandgender/1246/87th_anniversary_of_first_bat_s_mitzvah/ <p>The very first girl to perform the Jewish coming of age ritual did so in the 20th century. She was the daugher of Reconstructionist founder Mordecai Kaplan.</p> Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:51:01 PDT Benjamin Weiner