Image: The words Martini Judaism in large brackets. It’s the logo for the column below.
There are a few rabbis I read whenever they publish something new. Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin is one of those rabbis.
In addition to being the senior rabbi for Temple Solel in Hollywood, Florida, he writes a column for Religion News Service titled: Martini Judaism: for those who want to be shaken and stirred. Just as the title suggests, it’s an informal approach to Jewish topics in the news. What isn’t so obvious from the title is that he brings scholarship and heart to every topic he covers. Some recent examples:
Was Trump Right about Jerusalem?
Can Reform Judaism Reform Itself?
Meghan Markle is not Jewish. Big Deal.
How Neil Gillman Taught Me Judaism 101
The Secret Jewish History of Alice’s Restaurant
See what I mean? Some might say, “He’s all over the place” but I find that he’s good for my Jewish soul. Torah is everywhere, and it applies to everything in Jewish life. Rabbi Salkin helps me make those connections.
I will also admit he has inspired more than one blog post here!
Rabbi Salkin is also the author of Putting God on the Guest List: How to Reclaim The Spiritual Meaning of Your Child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah (Jewish Lights Publishing). His new book, The JPS Bnai Mitzvah Torah Commentary, was published in Spring, 2017.
Enjoy, in these closing days of 2017. You read it here: Torah is everywhere.