Elul

Beyond the Headlines: What did you take home from Israel? - opinion

A weekly glimpse into the Israel you won’t read about in the news.

Rabbi Mark Wildes with the scribe at the Nova site.
Jewish worshippers and visitors gather at the Western Wall in Jerusalem a day before the eve of Tisha B’Av, July 21, 2026.

Grapevine: Onward August

THE UN General Assembly votes on a draft resolution demanding a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip in June. The world must hold Israel’s enemies accountable for incitement, glorification of violence, and the blood on their hands, says the writer.

Reflecting on 700 days of war in Gaza during Elul means asking ourselves tough questions - opinion

WORDS, WORDS, WORDS.

Parashat Ki Teitzei: Words are tearing us apart


Beyond the headlines: Brought together by a soul

A weekly glimpse into the Israel you won’t read about in the news.

Slichot at the Western Wall.

Elul: Facing ourselves, facing one another - opinion

Elul is a deep dive into ourselves, into the hidden recesses of who we are.

ELUL IS a deep dive into ourselves.

Why the shofar matters now: A call for unity, strength, and hope - opinion

The shofar’s blast is more than a call; it’s a symbol of Israel’s resilience, unity, and hope, echoing through times of grief and awakening hearts for the future.

A SHOFAR is blown in a synagogue. Each morning, the cry of the shofar echoes – raw, ancient, and unmelodic, preparing us for the drama of the High Holy Days, the writer notes.

Beyond the headlines: Taking care of yourself

A weekly glimpse into the Israel you won’t read about in the news.

 An illustrative AI-generated image of a Torah scroll opened in an undisclosed location in outer space.

The Hebrew month of Elul should be a period of healing - opinion

The hatred of Jews in America’s universities and our streets, the harassment of Jews, and the boycott of Jewish businesses take us back to Germany and Austria 90 years ago.

Mental health first aid, illustrative

This year's Selichot are going to be tough. Get ready - opinion

With Selichot drawing near, crowds are swelling at the Western Wall, signaling a profound yearning for connection and awakening to the upcoming High Holy Days.

 Jewish men pray during Tisha B'Av, at the Wall Western, in the Old City of Jerusalem, August 13, 2024

Empty yeshiva seats are reflective of Israel's need to rebuild - opinion

This past year has proven how fragile and precious life can be. I owe it to the students who perished to give everything I can to those who now sit in their seats.

 An illustrative image of empty seats.

Rabbi Akiva's wisdom may hold the key to post-Oct 7 healing - opinion

Amid Israel's struggle with recent tragedies, ancient Jewish wisdom offers surprising comfort.

 THE SITE of the Nova music festival massacre.

Israel's youths are moved to prayer, and it is coming from deep within - opinion

Beyond the headlines: A weekly glimpse into the Israel you won’t read about in the news.

Prayer service for missing teens at Makor Chaim Yeshiva, June 15, 2014.

Rabbi Pinto: "Stop everything, it’s time for self-reflection"