Category Archives: Newsletter Articles

The Glowing Influence of the Spring Equinox

Posted on May 15, 2017 by Emmett Wald
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The spring equinox, which fell on March 20 this year, is considered the first day of spring, and is recognized as a holiday across many religions and cultures. The spring and fall equinoxes mark important moments in our orbit of … Continue reading →

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A Bright Future for SCJC

Posted on May 15, 2017 by Rhonda Shapiro-Rieser
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Jewish student life at Smith is in a phase of growth and vibrancy. In the two years since the group officially changed its name from Smith Hillel to the Smith College Jewish Community (SCJC), the organization has grown exponentially. Shabbat … Continue reading →

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Spring’s Promise:
A Witch’s Perspective

Posted on April 26, 2017 by Guest Author
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Spring is the promise of release; of cleansing; of birth waters bearing down on the valley, washing winter into the Atlantic, heralding new life and new beginnings. Early spring’s message can feel like a paradox. Warm sunny days followed by … Continue reading →

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A Smith Haggadah

Posted on April 26, 2017 by Rhonda Shapiro-Rieser
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On the evening of Monday, April 10, the Sanctuary in Helen Hills Chapel was filled with 72 singing, laughing, and reflecting students. The Smith College Jewish Community (SCJC) hosted a Passover Seder. It was the largest, happiest, most energetic ever. … Continue reading →

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Sacred Space and Beloved Community

Posted on March 6, 2017 by Matilda Cantwell
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The Yoga aphorisms of Patanjali from the third century state “what we truly worship we make sacred.” This philosophy rings very true for me. I believe it applies to “worship” in the broadest sense: quiet, alert walks in the woods; … Continue reading →

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“Sanctuary” at the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life

Posted on March 1, 2017 by Emmett Wald
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  The meaning of “sanctuary” has evolved significantly over the approximately seven centuries since the word was first coined. The English word comes from the Latin “sanctuarium,” which in turn is derived from “sanctus,” an adjective meaning “holy.” In its … Continue reading →

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The Sanctuary Movement: A Brief History

Posted on March 1, 2017 by Rhonda Shapiro-Rieser
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As a religious concept, “sanctuary” is connected to a sense of holiness and means to be “set apart.” The word sanctuary, when used in the context of political movements, has come to also mean places of physical safety, as in … Continue reading →

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