How do we know whether we are doing the right thing? Should we care what other people think of us as long as we’re doing what we understand to be moral and just? This week we read two Torah portions, … Continue reading
9th Jul, 2021
Mandy Peskin spent this year serving as a legal clinic coordinator at Bread for the City, as part of Avodah’s Jewish Service Corps. The organization focuses on eviction defense, family law for survivors of domestic abuse, and helping people access … Continue reading
8th Jul, 2021
Our parasha shows the Israelites pivoting toward preparations, finally, for proceeding to the Holy Land to inaugurate civic life. In the context of a census taken after two brutal acts of Divine carnage for national insurrections, the Torah matter-of-factly claims … Continue reading
2nd Jul, 2021
Emily Piff (she/her) lives in Chicago, IL, where she participated in the Avodah Justice Fellowship in 2019-2020. Emily attended college in Atlanta, GA at Agnes Scott College. She now works as a Data Analyst for the Chicago Transit Authority. Emily … Continue reading
28th Jun, 2021
A few months ago, for Parashat VaYehi, we addressed the violent, vigilante justice carried out at the end of this week’s parasha by Pinhas the priest, a short narrative I described then as “the Torah’s signature episode of political violence”. … Continue reading
25th Jun, 2021
In honor of Pride Month, we spoke with Temmi Merlis, an alum of Avodah’s Justice Fellowship and member of the LGBTQ community. What’s your connection to Avodah? I was in the New York City Justice Fellowship in 2017-2018. It was … Continue reading
21st Jun, 2021
In the most obscure verse in this week’s parasha, Chukat, perhaps the most obscure in the whole Torah, Scripture catalogs Israel’s journeys in the desert and describes the geography of one of their pit-stops: “…they set out and encamped beyond Arnon, that … Continue reading
18th Jun, 2021
This week we read of the revolt of Korah, a Levite nobleman and cousin of Moshe and Aharon’s, against the exclusive Aharonide lineage for the priesthood. Much as demagogues often exploit popular unrest for their personal gain, the charismatic Korah … Continue reading
11th Jun, 2021
While Avodah’s mission is focused on social justice through a Jewish lens, we are proud to say that our programs often help participants gain a deeper understanding of their own identities. One such program alum is Emily Saltzman (New York … Continue reading
8th Jun, 2021
In honor of Pride Month, we are highlighting queer Avodah alumni like Abi Weber. We sat down to talk about her experiences as a queer Jew who was recently ordained as a rabbi. Abi Weber (Avodah Chicago alum 2011-2012) has … Continue reading
7th Jun, 2021