Are independent congregations the future for liberal Jewish America?

Another relevant blog at jewschool. In Is the Economy Killing Off the Rabbinate?, Kol Ra'ash Gadol rejects Marilyn Henry's assertion in the Jerusalem Post—a hawkish rag that's no advocate of Diaspora life—that progressive Judaism in America (period!) might wither on the vine. Contra Henry, he (?) argues convincingly that not only are the Reform, Conservative, and non-denominational liberal seminaries not dying, but that the ongoing emergence of independent post-denominational congregations breathes new life—and new ways of being jewish—into our communal lungs.

And the beat goes on...and on

A sad corollary—more evidence, per se—to yesterday's "Of interest?": One Man’s Harrowing Path from Abuse to Survival. Makes me fightin' mad.

Post-Geographic Judaism

An on-point blog from Y-Love at jewschool. At root: using social media is the way to build a virtual community (and to plan a physical one too) for the disaffected. Now that's what I'm blogging about.

Of interest?

Couple of things I read at lunchtime. 

The first is a dark one, but worth reading. It's an ABC News piece on an Orthodox Jewish Community's Struggles With Abuse Allegations. Yes, we know that even so-called "modern" orthodoxies fail to explain away their communities' underlying theological misogyny and homophobia. And yes, we know that myths such as the sober, kind, gentle, and hard working Jewish father are in cases, well, myths. But this evil skeleton remains largely hidden among dirty clothing and deserves an airing. And while the article focuses on the abuse of young boys among the ultra-Orthodox, we should also remember the substantive but-brushed-under-the-carpet allegations of sexual abuse leveled against some inspirational leaders of progressive Jewish communities. We applauded as Catholics started clearing out their closets; now it's our turn to chase the Good.

The second might scare some of you in a different way. (Some of you may be less than happy reading it.) It's a concise, well-assembled WSJ piece with a self-explanatory title: The Fine Print: What's Really in a Lot of 'Healthy' Food? Remember: eat organic—vegetarian when possible; eat local; read labels!