Martini Judaism

The Hamas attack on Israel is pure evil
By Jeffrey Salkin — October 8, 2023
(RNS) — An anguished cry from this broken Jewish heart. This was the worst day in Jewish history since 1945.

Why social justice in Israel cannot wait: a conversation with Orly Erez-Likhovski
By Jeffrey Salkin — October 5, 2023
One of Israel's most important social activists speaks out. We all need to hear her.

When life gets boring
By Jeffrey Salkin — October 4, 2023
We live with the constant threat of meh. How can you deal with it?

God gets needy, too
By Jeffrey Salkin — October 2, 2023
This year, let's keep God company. Because God is also lonely.

Don’t erase yourself. Re-write yourself.
By Jeffrey Salkin — September 26, 2023
A fancy word that you've never heard before. A process that we all need.

Is it really a “happy New Year?”
By Jeffrey Salkin — September 24, 2023
Not to be the grinch who stole the High Holy Days, but...

When technology says: “Hold on a second…”
By Jeffrey Salkin — September 22, 2023
Just think: you can now instantly know someone's name. Cool, huh? Not so fast.

Donald Trump’s Rosh Hashana ‘gift’ to the Jews
By Jeffrey Salkin — September 20, 2023
(RNS) — None dare call it Jew-hatred. I do. This is no way to start a new year.

REM was right. We are “losing our religion.”
By Jeffrey Salkin — September 18, 2023
Has religion failed us, or have we failed religion? A century old book contains an answer to our spiritual emptiness.

What do Jews want to hear on the High Holy Days?
By Jeffrey Salkin — September 12, 2023
(RNS) — To my rabbinical colleagues, just when you thought you were done with your sermons.

“Rabbi, about the dust on my windows…”
By Jeffrey Salkin — September 11, 2023
"Never forget what your eyes have seen and your ears have heard." I won't. I can't.

Is ‘You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah’ good for the Jews — or Judaism?
By Jeffrey Salkin — September 5, 2023
(RNS) — Why is American Judaism bar/bat mitzvah-centric? Ask Adam Sandler and his family.

Who are the “rich men north of Richmond”?
By Jeffrey Salkin — August 29, 2023
Is the top song in the USA a dog whistle for a deeper, more ancient form of hatred? I wonder.

“Golda” is a triumph
By Jeffrey Salkin — August 28, 2023
Come for an Oscar-worthy performance by Helen Mirren. Stay for a tear-stained history lesson that is still relevant and powerful.

The thing about Bradley Cooper’s nose
By Jeffrey Salkin — August 21, 2023
Bradley Cooper playing Leonard Bernstein? No big deal. The nose thing? Meh. Let's all get a grip.

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.