Jeffrey Salkin

Rabbi Jeffrey K. Salkin is an activist for Jewish ideas. A columnist, popular lecturer, and thought leader in the American rabbinate, he is the author of numerous books on Jewish spirituality and ethics. His new book on the future of liberal Judaism in America will be published in early 2024. His accompanying podcast, Martini Judaism, is available on Google, Apple and other sites.

All Stories by Jeffrey Salkin

The speech Jonathan Glazer could have given

By Jeffrey Salkin — March 15, 2024
(RNS) — What would it look like if Jewish celebrities stood up for Judaism and the Jewish people? Maybe this.

A new poetry, post-Oct. 7

By Jeffrey Salkin — March 14, 2024
A new Israeli literature has emerged out of the rubble of Oct. 7. It is powerful, devastating and hopeful.

We need a post-October 7 Talmud: a conversation with Liel Leibovitz

By Jeffrey Salkin — March 7, 2024
You think that the Talmud is just an old, arcane book? Guess again. It might be what our culture needs.

When Jewish rights were human rights

By Jeffrey Salkin — March 6, 2024
(RNS) — A chance encounter with the son of one of the great Jewish moral heroes of the last half century. Few people think of him now, and therein lies the story.

Why I say kaddish for my father

By Jeffrey Salkin — March 1, 2024
(RNS) — The annual search for my father's grave reveals the meaning of immortality.

Why my uncle left Judaism

By Jeffrey Salkin — February 26, 2024
(RNS) — Let's be careful how we treat people in our religious institutions. It matters — sometimes across the generations.

And then, they came for the rock star …

By Jeffrey Salkin — February 22, 2024
(RNS) — It happened to Matisyahu. It could happen to any Jewish performer. And, any Jew.

How many deaths …?

By Jeffrey Salkin — February 19, 2024
(RNS) — As Marvin Gaye sang: 'War is not the answer.' A new book asks: Is it ever the answer?

How is this Holocaust movie different from other Holocaust movies?

By Jeffrey Salkin — February 14, 2024
(RNS) — ‘The Zone of Interest,’ a nominee for best picture, makes the propensity for evil quite plain — and relevant.

Are the Jews still cool?

By Jeffrey Salkin — February 12, 2024
(RNS) — I miss Philip Seymour Hoffman — especially when he was uncool.

60 years ago today, the Beatles appeared on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’

By Jeffrey Salkin — February 9, 2024
(RNS) — There are far more connections between the Beatles and the Jews than we think.

Why I envy Orthodox Jews

By Jeffrey Salkin — February 5, 2024
(RNS) — What do you envy in a religious tradition that is not your own?

Biology matters, especially after Oct. 7

By Jeffrey Salkin — January 31, 2024
(RNS) — A woman at an Israel rally gets creative. And gutsy.

How many Holocaust memorial days do we need?

By Jeffrey Salkin — January 29, 2024
(RNS) — There are three different days for remembering the Holocaust. Each one has a different message. Which message do we need today?

Is the university good for the Jews? With Mark Oppenheimer

By Jeffrey Salkin — January 25, 2024
How did the university become a battle ground for Jewish identity? A conversation with Mark Oppenheimer reveals some interesting nuances to that question.
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