Tag Archives: Smith College Jewish Community

Mezuzah: How a Jew Marks Liminal Space by Rabbi Bruce Bromberg Seltzer

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Otelia Cromwell Day 2019

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

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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

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