AOHE

Jewish Identity

A series of four muticolored hands surrounding a start of David.A multicolored menorah.

Frequently, as I have had the opportunity to minister in various congregations, I have asked people, ‘What do you think it means to be Jewish?’ People tell me that being Jewish is being part of the chosen people. Or that it is a person who has the Jewish religion. Or that it is a person who does not believe in Jesus...

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From Death to Life

A watercolor of an angel blowing a trumpet.

I have always been struck by that passage where Jesus wept because as we keep reading, we see that Jesus knew not only that Lazarus would be raised on the last day but also that Jesus would raise Lazarus later that day!...

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Only One God

The hand of God reaching down to touch the hand of man, symbolizing the creation of Adam.

While watching news reports on the heart-wrenching situation in Turkey, I was continually amazed at the reporter’s distortion of the reactions of the people upon recovery of trapped victims. You could hear the men yelling in unison praise to Allah; then the reporter says they all praise God for the recovery. What?...

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Plus One

Since the 1970s, a custom has arisen in extending invitations to gatherings allowing the invitee to include a Plus One -- defined as a person who accompanies an invited guest to an event or gathering. Today if you receive a request to RSVP for an event, you will likely be given the opportunity to bring a Plus One.

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Understanding Key Jewish Beliefs

A multicolored menorah.

It is important to understand the foundation of what Jewish people believe today. There is no single answer. The term dogma, which is much better applied to Christianity, has little place within Judaism. In Judaism, the need for a profession of belief did not arise, and rabbis saw no necessity for drawing up concise formulas stressing Jewish beliefs and faith...

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Purim

Two birds wishing one another happy Purim from different perches in a tree.

One of the holidays that we will be celebrating in March is the Holiday of Purim. Purim is from the Hebrew Word for "lots" (see Esther 3:7; 9:20-22). Purim is a holiday that commemorates the time when God delivered the people of Israel from the evil plot of Haman, an Haman was the royal vizier to Persian king Ahasuerus, who was planning to have all of Persia's Jewish subjects killed...

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Forget About It

I have had the joy and privilege of speaking to women’s groups in different states and countries. I love it and do not take my responsibilities lightly. My daughter Toi and I have also done what we call tag-team talks. Those are my favorites. We share half a brain, so it is fun for one of us to jump in where the other leaves off, in sync, and never disjointed. Besides that, she is one of my top ten favorite people ever!

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