My suspension from the SAJBD Board – an update
This week I received a letter suspending me from the SAJBD – this, just a few hours before a scheduled meeting of the board – I serve on the SAJBD and am also Chairman of the board of SACRED. SACRED…
Rabbi Adrian Michael Schell
Proudly Jewish - Proudly Progressive
Rabbi Adrian Michael Schell
Proudly Jewish - Proudly Progressive
Category Rabbinic Thoughts
Parashat Metzora: Who is in and who is out
After the successful registration last weekend, campaigning has returned to South Africa. And, as a result, it is inevitable that there will be debates about race, empowerment of different classes and the status of foreigners in South Africa. Once again,…
I am certainly not opposed to “talking” with the board
Dear all, I presume that by now you may have heard about The Cape Council of the SA Jewish Board of Deputies, being taken to the Cape High Court by SACRED (and others) for “discrimination of women on the basis…
Parashat Tazria: Impurity is considered to be a spiritual disability
The portions of Tazria and Metzora are perhaps for many of you very uncomfortable portions of the Torah, dealing with all kinds of issues related to ritual purity and impurity. Ritual impurity, or tumah, has nothing to do with hygiene.…
SACRED Talk: A valuable insight into Najma’s fascinating life as an activist and journalist
Last night SACRED ( South African Center for Religious Equality and Diversity) was privileged to host a talk by Mrs Najma Khota. A broadcast journalist, radio and TV presenter,a counselling therapist and a trauma counsellor. This evening gave us a…
Parashat Sh’mini: Risking mistakes with proper moral intention is what our work should be all about
The book of Leviticus has the unfair reputation for being boring and inaccessible. But this week’s portion, Sh’mini, has some of the Bible’s pomp and ceremony as well as drama and intrigue that proves that reputation wrong. The portion opens…
All that you wanted to know about Purim but didn’t dare to ask
Tonight we are going to celebrate a very important Jewish festival but there are some frequent questions which I collected, with assistance of Rabbi Shai Gluskin (sources that show different views in the Reform, Conservative and Reconstructionist Movement). I would call this collection:…
This year’s Purim celebration, I challenge you to try something new
Purim is an unusual holiday in many respects. First, Esther is the only biblical book in which God is not mentioned. Second, Purim, like Chanukah, traditionally is viewed as a minor festival, but elevated to a major holiday as a…
Shabbat Zachor: We can’t tolerate the political abuse of people who suffered under Apartheid
This coming Shabbat is called Shabbat Zachor – the Shabbat of Remembrance, one of the special Shabbatot leading up to Passover. In addition to the regular Torah portion congregations conclude the reading with an additional reading of Deuteronomy 25:17-19. These…
All about Purim
Next week we are going to celebrate the festival of Purim. So what do we know about this holiday? Purim is not one of the holidays commanded in the Torah, but it is rooted in the biblical book of Esther…