Martini Judaism
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.
That SuperJew poster from the 1960s
By Jeffrey Salkin — January 23, 2024
(RNS) — A memory of a poster from the 1960s made me think, deeply, about Israel.
Converts are Jewish. Period.
By Jeffrey Salkin — January 18, 2024
We are experiencing the greatest surge in antisemitism in recent memory. And, still, people want to become Jewish.
The Jews stand accused: From deicide to genocide
By Jeffrey Salkin — January 16, 2024
(RNS) — The accusation is genocide. But its roots are ancient. And ugly.
Are American Jews in crisis? A conversation with Professor Jonathan Sarna
By Jeffrey Salkin — January 11, 2024
American Jewish weather report: increased chill in the air. A conversation with historian Professor Jonathan Sarna.
Why I am obsessed with an ancient story about giant frogs
By Jeffrey Salkin — January 9, 2024
(RNS) — Yes, they are a metaphor for the challenges of our time.
Welcome to the ‘tribe,’ Alanis Morissette
By Jeffrey Salkin — January 5, 2024
(RNS) — Now that the singer is publicly Jewish, I have a job for her.
The world must confront the sexual violence of Oct. 7
By Jeffrey Salkin — January 3, 2024
(RNS) — The essay I wrote with shaking hands. I did not want to do it. I had to do it.
Why I miss Tommy Smothers
By Jeffrey Salkin — December 28, 2023
(RNS) — The Smothers Brothers were funny. More than that: They were profoundly human and kind.
The spiritual lessons of ‘The Crown’
By Jeffrey Salkin — December 26, 2023
(RNS) — The history isn’t always right but ‘The Crown’ is always a good family story. And there are lessons for the soul in the telling.
We must confront radical evil
By Jeffrey Salkin — December 21, 2023
(RNS) — Is Hamas a form of mythic, cosmic evil? Think about it.
The secret ritual for the end of Hanukkah
By Jeffrey Salkin — December 18, 2023
(RNS) — Time to scrape the wax off the menorah. Yes, this is a metaphor.
Jeffrey Salkin
Martini Judaism
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.