Unitarian Universalism and the B’nei Anusim Jews

August 25, 2022 By Guest Contributor

By Dr. Laura McGuire Judaism and Unitarian Universalism have deep intertwining roots. Their inherent commonalities have laid a strong foundation, past and present. For those of us who identify as Jewish UUs, these commonality currents take on more meaningful importance. So why have UU spaces long been a spiritual haven for progressive-minded Jews and how this relationship can continue to evolve into the future? Going back to the dawn of the Unitarian movement in Eastern Europe, Jews have been able... Read more

Ukraine in Prophecy: The Jeremiah Factor

April 29, 2022 By Guest Contributor

Even before the Russian invasion, the Lord had begun to show me Ukraine in the prophecies of Jeremiah. The word of the Lord came to me: “What do you see, Jeremiah?” “I see the branch of an almond tree,” I replied. The Lord said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.” Jeremiah 1:11–12 This almond tree will help us unlock Jeremiah’s prophecies about Ukraine. One of the things we know... Read more

Devout Jews in Ukraine stay to pray and await ‘apocalypse’

March 11, 2022 By Guest Contributor

In a synagogue in the western Ukrainian city of Uman, two people are worshipping in the cold and darkness. Read more

God Told a Lie

October 21, 2021 By Guest Contributor

Deceiving others may not be clearly wrong, and God himself has given an example of when it may be okay to tell a lie. Read more

Did False Prophets Motivate Events at the US Capitol?

January 15, 2021 By Guest Contributor

According to the Bible a false prophet is one who pretends to speak for God but in reality speaks for himself and is moved by his own intentions, emotions and political commitments. (Jeremiah 14:13–15; 23; Ezekiel 13:2, 3, 10, 11). Unlike Prophet Jeremiah, who had at least three false prophet antagonists; Ahab (Jeremiah 29:21), Azur (Jeremiah 28:1), and Hananiah (Jeremiah 28:5) Prophet Muhammad had lots of enemies in Macca, but none of them were false prophets of the one and... Read more

Developing a Practice in Times of Pandemic

May 14, 2020 By Guest Contributor

The pandemic is overwhelming and disorienting. There are certain things you can do– wash your hands, follow guidelines for social distancing, cough into the crook of your elbow. Still, the enormity of the problem and the dramatic changes it has wrought in our lives has left many of us feeling out of control. To cope with the crisis, some binge-watch Netflix or eat pints of ice cream. Others check their phone’s news feed 17 times a day or buy toilet... Read more

Building Bridges of Compassion: Preparing for Passover & Easter Virtually

April 7, 2020 By Guest Contributor

Last Friday morning (March 27), approximately 100 students, faculty, and staff from Hebrew College, Boston College, and Boston University gathered virtually for the third annual “Preparing Our Hearts for Passover & Easter” program. As in past years, the event was designed to provide future spiritual and ethical leaders the opportunity to reflect on the personal and professional dimensions of these holy seasons, doing so in dialogue with peers and teachers from different denominational and religious communities. Of course, this year’s... Read more

Life in the “World House”: Cultivating Leaders for a Pluralistic Age

February 19, 2020 By Guest Contributor

In December 1964, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther Ling, Jr. was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. In his laureate lecture, Dr. King spoke of a “world house,” calling on his listeners to embrace a vision of humankind as interconnected and interdependent. The great Civil Rights leader argued that people had become “unduly separated in ideas, culture and interest,” and that because “we can never again live apart, [we] must learn somehow to live with each other in peace.” Dr. King’s... Read more

Hanukah Faith in a Time of Oppression

December 20, 2019 By Rabbi Allen S. Maller

In December, when the dark nights grow longer and longer, Jews throughout the world kindle the candles of Hanukah: an eight day celebration of the human miracle of religious fortitude, faithfulness, hope and perseverance; and power of faith and trust in God in overcoming disappointment, despair and defeat during years of oppression and persecution. Hanukah (December 22-30/2019 this year) is the story of two Jewish struggles: the lesser military one—a 25 year long, off and on war, ending in a... Read more

Gratitude For Blessings Weakens the Curses Of Depressing News

November 27, 2019 By Rabbi Allen S. Maller

Training people to view their own life positively is increasingly important, especially because many people form all kinds of negative attitudes about life based on the news media’s constant emphasis on all the world’s evils and tragedies. It is obvious that we all will suffer the loss of people we love to the inevitability of death. This is painful and sorrowful. Everyone also fears having a serious illness and their own eventual death. Today, fears, depression, anxiety, and frustration, create... Read more