Suzanne Debey

ISSUES OF FAITH: Truth and honesty important in leadership

THROUGHOUT THE TORAH, we are taught the importance of honesty and justice. In Deuteronomy 16:18-2:19, the portion Shoftim (Judges) begins with a declaration of how… Continue reading

 

ISSUES OF FAITH: Choosing to be Jewish

DURING THE RECENT Jewish holy day of Shavuot, we reflected on the story of the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. It is said… Continue reading

 

ISSUES OF FAITH: Passover and empathy in Judaism

THOUGH PASSOVER IS over, the lessons and themes continue to resonate. Two themes permeate Judaism … freedom and empathy seen in the story of the… Continue reading

 

ISSUES OF FAITH: Find courage to defend the truth

“Be strong and let your heart have courage,” (Joshua 1:6). THE UPCOMING JEWISH holiday of Purim tells the story of Esther standing up for the… Continue reading

ISSUES OF FAITH: The courage of religious leaders

“JUSTICE, JUSTICE SHALL you pursue” (Deuteronomy 16:20). The Jewish Bible, the Tanach, repeatedly tells us to pursue justice, take care of the poor, the hungry,… Continue reading

ISSUES OF FAITH: Freedom and the stranger

FREEDOM AND OPPRESSION are at the very heart of the Torah portions from Exodus that Jews will read in the next few weeks. It’s a… Continue reading

ISSUES OF FAITH: To protect religious freedom, keep it out of government

JEWS BEGIN THE holy day of Yom Kippur with the haunting chant of Kol Nidre, All Vows. This prayer declares that promises made in the… Continue reading

ISSUES OF FAITH: In trying times, hold fast to values

THIS WEEK, JEWS turn their attention to the Torah portion of Vayeira (Genesis 18:1-22-24). This portion is comprised of several dramatic events from which we… Continue reading

ISSUES OF FAITH: Strength to be found in saying sorry

“Repentance, a turning, a returning, to the path that leads you to your highest good,” (Amen, Rabbi Karen Kedar). DURING ELUL, THE Jewish month before… Continue reading

ISSUES OF FAITH: For faith, freedom lies in the separation

WHEN THE U.S. Constitution was ratified, Jews looked to this new country as a place where they would be safe from persecution, not only because… Continue reading

ISSUES OF FAITH: Pinchas vs. Joshua and leadership choices

AS WE CONTINUE reading about the Israelites’ journey in the Torah, we come to a time when God tells Moses that he will not lead… Continue reading

ISSUES OF FAITH: Fill your heart with courage and kindness

“The whole world is a very narrow bridge, and the main thing is not to fear, not to fear at all” (Rabbi Nachman of Breslev).… Continue reading

ISSUES OF FAITH: Complicated relationship between Jews and Israel

“Praise God O Jerusalem, laud your God O Zion,” (Psalm 147:2–12). THE CONNECTION AND deep love Jews have for Israel is sometimes a very difficult… Continue reading

ISSUES OF FAITH: The hope in Passover

DURING THE RECENT Jewish holiday of Passover, we celebrated spring’s new birth, and a journey from slavery to freedom, the actual beginning of the people… Continue reading

ISSUES OF FAITH: Don’t be lured by the golden calf

When the Holy One gave the Torah, no bird chirped, no fowl fluttered, no ox lowed, the angels … did not sing, the sea did… Continue reading

ISSUES OF FAITH: Moses and enlightened leadership

AS WE CONTINUE to follow the story of the Israelites’ journey after leaving Egypt, we witness Moses’ amazing leadership. He stood strong against the grumblings… Continue reading

ISSUES OF FAITH: Ayin tov — the good eye

AS JEWS BEGAN reading the book of Exodus last week, we started the story of the Hebrews’ suffering under the Egyptian pharaoh and eventual escape… Continue reading

ISSUES OF FAITH: Find courage in the lights of the season

“The menorah reminds us of the miracle that no matter how dark life may be, there remains a source of light deep inside us. The… Continue reading