All of us at Kol Shalom are saddened and sickened by the violence that has unfolded in Our Nation’s Capital. At a time when there are so many people suffering in a pandemic, this should be a moment of national unity and healing. Instead, a culture of division has led to this historic attack on Continue Reading »
The Shabbat after the election, Joe Biden was proclaimed to be the winner, and there was a collective moment of relief and joy for so many in my congregation. I simply couldn’t contain my joy, and neither could most of us at the end of our Zoom services that morning. Around the country, countless people Continue Reading »
We want to give a special thank you to our wonderful members Shofar blowers – Darón & Char Freedberg Photography – Lewis Schrager Video recording – Sari Kaye
With only five percent of the world’s population, the United States has 25 percent of its prisoners. In per capita terms, our nation incarcerated eight to ten times as many people as other western democracies. The burden falls overwhelmingly on minorities. In this talk, Alan Elsner will examine the roots of this dysfunctional system, the Continue Reading »
By analyzing the leadership skills of seven recent US presidents, KS member Michael Eric Siegel seeks to de-mystify the elements and dynamics of effective presidential leadership and help citizens assess presidential candidates. Siegel shows that presidential leadership is exercised by real, flawed human beings, and not by superheroes or philosopher-kings beyond the reach of scrutiny Continue Reading »
Watch Theater J’s incomparable Artistic Director Adam Immerwahr in conversation with Rabbi Gil Steinlauf for a discussion on the intersection of Theater, Jewish Identity, and American racism and bigotry. In this session, we will address issues like: What is Jewish Theater, and how can it play a role in calling us to moral leadership in Continue Reading »
An in-depth exploration of classical Jewish texts and sources that can help us make sense of American racism and how best to respond as Jews in our time. With Rabbi Gil Steinlauf
The COVID-19 pandemic has raised a host of issues for all of us, including medical ones. This session will focus on some of the physical and mental health issues raised by the pandemic, exploring the topics through Jewish lens. With regard to physical health, we will consider appropriate standards for triage, the degree to which Continue Reading »
With James L. Stowe, Director, Montgomery County Office of Human Rights James L. Stowe (Jim) is a native of Belmont, North Carolina. Jim and his family relocated to Montgomery County Maryland to serve as the 4th Director of the Office of Human Rights. Jim has been instrumental in developing new program initiatives and re-positioning the Continue Reading »
Rabbi Gil Steinlauf When my great grandparents emigrated to America, they never dreamed of becoming a part of the privileged class of Americans. They only craved safety, security, and a chance to live in freedom. And certainly, the white American mainstream didn’t see these poor European Jewish refugees as white people–they didn’t even see the Continue Reading »