What does it mean to be pro-Israel? The following exchange begins with a letter by Charles Pulman to the editor of the Texas Jewish Post. Next is the published response by Rabbi Nancy Kasten, Faith Commons Chief Relationship Officer. Our hope is that this exchange will contribute to an increase in curiosity and interest in how one can vote for one's values in the United States and also support and love Israel. May 5, 2022 Dear Editor, I truly
Faith is not a spectator sport. by Rabbi Nancy Kasten In April 2021 I joined a group from Temple Emanu-El and met (virtually) with Texas State Representative Morgan Meyer’s chief of staff to discuss several legislative bills then under consideration. The delegation, which included doctors, lawyers, and small business owners, voiced our support for legislation to increase access to and affordability of health care and to advance fairness and accountability in law enforcement. We also expressed our concern regarding SB1,
Learning from the convergence of Ramadan, Passover, and Easter by Rabbi Nancy Kasten This year Ramadan began on April 2, Passover begins on April 15, and Easter is celebrated on April 17. These three holidays play distinct roles in the unique cycles of Muslim, Jewish, and Christian communities of faith. At the same time, they share common characteristics and offer important insight into our shared and inescapable human nature. All three take place over time. Ramadan is observed for a
As a Rabbi, Helping Pregnant Texans Get Abortions Has Never Been More Important My experience helping pregnant Texans get abortions is one example of how faith leaders can do our part to protect life: by making abortion accessible. As a rabbi who lives in Texas, I have long been active in local groups that organize clergy to fight for reproductive rights. Most recently, we have been working to resist SB 8, the Texas law that went into effect September 1
God needs us all. by Rabbi Nancy Kasten This story is told of the 18th century scholar and rabbi, Zusha of Hanipol: Reb Zusha was lying on his deathbed surrounded by his disciples. He was crying and no one could comfort him. One student asked his Rebbe, "Why do you cry? You were almost as wise as Moses and as kind as Abraham." Reb Zusha answered, "When I pass from this world and appear before the Heavenly Tribunal, they won't
Dallas Woman Meets with Pope Scholar, Pontiff seek global harmony through climate action Dr. Maria Reis Habito has long worked to help bring about a global consensus of peace, unity, and understanding among some of the most diverse populations on the planet. The philosophy and religious scholar’s most recent interfaith efforts – addressing climate change – prompted a fall 2021 meeting with Pope Francis. Keep reading about Faith Commons' board member Maria Reis Habito on People Newspapers.
Valarie Kaur joins Krys Boyd on KERA's Think. Learning to respect one another is important, but what if we could take it a step further and actually learn to love even our opponents. Valarie Kaur is a Sikh activist, lawyer, filmmaker and founder of the Revolutionary Love Project, and she joins host Krys Boyd to talk about her approach to conflict resolution and why she says every interaction we have should begin with love. Her book is called “See
Resolution Revolutions In a CBS poll conducted by telephone in December, 29% of Americans said they were making New Year’s resolutions, down from 43% last year. What’s behind this notable decline? No one needs someone else’s research to know that willpower is not enough to create sustainable behavioral change. How many times have I purged my home from sweets only to succumb to temptation and invitation the minute I step out my door? But behavioral science offers us an important
Why a Muslim imam showed up at the Colleyville synagogue to offer spiritual help My friend Omar Suleiman resisted the habit of fearful thinking engrained in so many of us. By Nancy Kasten in the Dallas Morning News. Originally preached as a sermon at Northway Christian Church. Wendy Wood teaches psychology at the University of Southern California. Her research focuses on habit formation. She has discovered that people who want to start a new habit don’t usually succeed when they
Imam Dr. Omar Suleiman appeared on MSNBC's Morning Joe to talk about his experience at Congregation Beth-Israel in Colleyville, TX during the hostage crisis on January 15, 2022. Watch the interview segment on MSNBC.com.