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This is the blog of the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life (CRSL) at Smith College. To learn more, visit our website.
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Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in these posts are those of the author(s) and are not necessarily shared by CRSL or by Smith College.
Tag Archives: Smith College Jewish Community
Mezuzah: How a Jew Marks Liminal Space by Rabbi Bruce Bromberg Seltzer
by Anna Ostow
The mezuzah is a very important and visible symbol of a Jewish building or room. It establishes that a space is in some way tied to Jews–by use or ownership. Mezuzah is a biblical Hebrew word for doorpost but usually … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged community, identity, interfaith, Jewish, Smith College Jewish Community
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Think of Criticalhope as One Word
Critical hope seems at first to be a contradiction in terms–a clash of two universes of discourse. “Hope” has to do with the experience of faith which inspires vision, which engages us in action and (hopefully) to a sacred, healing … Continue reading
Mrs. New’s Tattoo
I remember the first time I really saw the numbers tattooed on Mrs. New’s arm. I had seen them before, but by 11 years old, I knew enough to really see them. I remember a 2 and a long chain … Continue reading
Memory and History
Memory and Historiography–the writing of history–are two forces that stand in opposition for the heart and soul of a people. Of the two, memory has much more power than history. I learned this from a small book I read in … Continue reading
A Note About The Use of Sacred Texts
Dear Friends, On behalf of the Smith College Center for Religious and Spiritual Life, I write to condemn the recent use of a sacred text to illustrate a political point. Christian scripture in particular has been manipulated to oppress black … Continue reading
Times of Captivity, a Time of Liberation
For the next two issues, our newsletter will focus on the theme of liberation. Passover, the holiday which began last night, April 8, commemorates the successful exodus of the Hebrew people out of slavery in Egypt. The COVID-19 crisis kept … Continue reading
Be Like the Water
While he is not going into his classroom, my 9-year-old son is still continuing with his third-grade work, which includes a “river study.” When we go out for walks and come by one of the many streams and tributaries that … Continue reading
Posted in Reflections, Spirituality
Tagged CRSL news, meditation, nature, Smith College Jewish Community, spirituality, stress/relaxation
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Uncertainty
There is a Jewish holiday dedicated to uncertainty. Its very name, Purim, means “dice.” During the holiday, the community reads the Book of Esther, a biblical book in which God is never mentioned. In the Book of Esther, God works … Continue reading
Posted in History, Holidays, Newsletter Articles, Response Statements
Tagged community, Jewish, Smith College Jewish Community
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Otelia Cromwell Day 2019
by Kim Alston
Tribute to Adelaide Cromwell ’40 I met Dr. Adelaide McGuinn Cromwell in the mid 1980’s as a student at Boston University. Professor Gulliver, as she was known then, was my sociology professor in Afro American Studies, and one of only … Continue reading
Spring 2019 Event Calendar
Friends, Below is the Spring 2019 event calendar! The Center for Religious and Spiritual Life encourages all students and community members to attend workshops, weekly programming, and events available to them. The CRSL is pleased to offer a variety of … Continue reading