Search
-
Read Rabbi Knopf’s Recent Posts
- Shabbat for Shabbat’s Sake: Parashat Sh’lakh Lekha 5782 June 25, 2022
- Embrace the Wilderness: Parashat Beha’alotekha 5782 June 21, 2022
- Message to the Class of 2022 June 20, 2022
- Punk’s Not Dead, It’s Jewish: Shavuot 5782 June 7, 2022
- ‘Earn This’: Last Day of Passover 5782 April 24, 2022
Tag Archives: Conversion
Renewing our Vows: A New Approach to Intermarriage
Recently, my congregation’s lay leadership voted to permit its clergy to officiate at marriages between a Jewish individual and a partner from another background (with some important conditions), if and when the Conservative movement’s Rabbinical Assembly and the Cantorial Assembly … Continue reading
Posted in Articles and Op-Eds
Tagged Conservative Judaism, conservative rabbis, Conversion, interdating, interfaith, intermarriage, religion, society
Leave a comment
Where They Are – Rosh Hashanah Day 1 5776/2015
What would it look like for synagogues to truly meet people where they are? Lessons from God and Wall Drug. Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged community, Conservative Judaism, Conversion, Jewish holidays, outreach, rosh hashanah, synagogues
Leave a comment
Converting to Judaism Doesn’t Have to be So Hard
Jewish communities around the world celebrated the festival of Shavuot over the weekend, commemorating the Jewish people receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai. During this holiday, it is customary to chant from the biblical Book of Ruth, at least in … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged assimilation, Conversion, Jewish People, Judaism, rabbis, ruth, Talmud, Torah
Leave a comment
A House of Prayer for All People – Rosh Hashanah Day 1 5775
In the Jewish tradition, each new year provides an opportunity to pause, reflect, and refocus. We consider the events of the year that has passed, celebrate our triumphs, and confront our failures. Looking … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged Conversion, Denominations, halakhah, High Holidays, holidays, intermarriage, Jewish law, Jewish People, pew report, religion, rosh hashanah, synagogues, Who is a Jew
3 Comments
23 Daily Devotions from 2013
Almost every day in 2013, I posted a reflection, a piece of wisdom, a passage from the Jewish tradition, or a devotional on my Facebook page. Here are my 23 favorites. Hope you enjoy, and find some meaning in these … Continue reading
Posted in Reflections
Tagged Conversion, ethics, God, growth, Israel, Jewish law, Jewish People, Judaism, justice, nature of god, politics, religion, religious thinkers, social justice, society, spirituality, theology, Torah, tragedy, wisdom
Leave a comment
Assimilation is Good for Jews
The Pew Research Center’s recently released “Portrait of Jewish Americans” set off alarm bells in the Jewish world over “assimilation.” The study implied that Jews are becoming less Jewish, that Judaism itself is becoming diluted by outside, secular culture, and that we … Continue reading
Posted in Articles and Op-Eds
Tagged assimilation, Conversion, Denominations, Jewish People, Judaism, prayer, religion, religious thinkers, society, Who is a Jew, wisdom
Leave a comment
Born Again Judaism – Parashat Tzav/Shabbat Hagadol 2012
This Shabbat, the Shabbat before the onset of Passover, is commonly referred to as “Shabbat Ha-Gadol.” Shabbat Ha-Gadol means “The Great or Big Sabbath,” and it is given this name because on this Shabbat we announce the impending arrival of … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged born again, Conversion, halakhah, Jewish home, Jewish law, Jewish People, Judaism, leviticus, meaningful conversation, parashah, religion, sedra, sermon, spiritual transformation, spirituality, theology, Torah, Who is a Jew, wisdom
1 Comment
Where Do You Belong? – Parashat Ki Va-Yak’hel/P’kudei 2012
One of the questions I always ask my conversion students is “If your future great-grandchild was here today and asked you why you chose to become Jewish, what would you say?” I asked this to one of my students, Johnathan, … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged Conservative Judaism, Conversion, God, growth, identity, Jewish home, Jewish People, Judaism, leviticus, religion, sedra, sermon, Torah, USY, Who is a Jew
Leave a comment
Ultra-Orthodoxy and the Authenticity Question
Reprinted from: http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/ultra-orthodox-fundamentalists-present-a-false-image-of-the-real-jew-1.406720#article_comments The recent clamor over Jewish fundamentalism in Israel calls for those of us who practice a consciously non-fundamentalist Judaism to state proudly and emphatically how we understand our religion, and why we believe what we believe. Jay … Continue reading
Posted in Articles and Op-Eds
Tagged Conservative Judaism, Conversion, Denominations, Israel, Jewish law, Judaism, Orthodoxy, religion, Torah, Who is a Jew
Leave a comment
The “Not Fully Jewish” Fiction
Reprinted from Haaretz.com: http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/jews-by-choice-are-members-of-the-tribe-too-1.381174 The validity of “Jews by Choice” is constantly under assault, as they encounter challenges to their Jewish status and legitimacy daily. This happens regardless of their level of commitment and observance, and as a result, many … Continue reading
Posted in Articles and Op-Eds, Uncategorized
Tagged Conversion, Denominations, Jewish People, Judaism, Orthodoxy, religion, Who is a Jew
Leave a comment
Rabbi Michael Rose Knopf 