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 »
Read more here
A discussion on anti-Semitism, discrimination, and threats to religious liberty led by Kol Shalom member Michael Lieberman. Michael will share insights and observations on the current state of anti-Semitism, religious liberty, and civil rights in the United States — and prospects for progress as we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic and move towards the 2020 elections. Continue Reading »
Every year on Yom Kippur afternoon, Thomas L. Friedman of the New York Times and Ambassador Dennis Ross of the Washington Institute stand and reflect on Israel and the state of the world. This year, when all bets are off, Yom Kippur comes early (without the fasting, but with plenty of reflection) as Ross and Continue Reading »
What is truth, and how do we recognize it? In the age of ‘Fake News,’ when factual information is routinely manipulated and weaponized, it’s a question that can have life-or-death consequences. Rabbi Gil Steinlauf seeks to answer this question – one he calls the most pressing issue of our time – in the next installment Continue Reading »
The Jewish Identity Institute at Kol Shalom Congregation welcomes Mr. Thomas Friedman, a three-time Pulitzer Prize winner and a weekly columnist for The New York Times, to discuss how his Jewish identity guides his career. Kol Shalom Congregation of Rockville (9110 Darnestown Road, Rockville, MD, 20850) announced today the next lecture in its Jewish Identity Continue Reading »
How is serving in the United States Congress a Jewish act? How does a leader in our current political reality draw strength from the Jewish tradition to continue to lead justly? What are the most important issues in our government that we face today as Jews? How can we as Jewish individuals and Continue Reading »
Our family closed a major chapter of life this past week, which made me think about transitions, and helped me to appreciate how our Jewish heritage adds so much meaning and beauty to my life. Some context. I look around and see myself, my family, my Kol Shalom sacred community, my work colleagues, and whatever Continue Reading »