What Will Future Generations Inherit from Us—Courage or Silence?
“His name is engraved in marble. His virtues in the hearts of those he helped to free from slavery and superstition.” [1] I stumbled onto those words when I discovered […]
The Secret to Happiness
by Rabbi Nancy Kasten Thomas Jefferson penned the phrase “the pursuit of happiness” as the third element of America’s creed 250 years ago. Along with life and liberty, our nation’s […]
The Wisdom of the Womb in the Work of Peace Building
On Mother’s Day this year, my thoughts about my mother, mother-in-law, the mother of my children, and the mothers of my grandchildren crashed together like waves on the seashore. That […]
One Year of Prayer Vigils
For one year, interfaith clergy and faith leaders with CLEAR DFW have gathered outside the ICE field office in Dallas to pray, bear witness, and stand with immigrant neighbors. The […]
Now is the time to make your voice heard: Religious Liberty or Religious Bigotry?
by Rabbi Nancy Kasten If the Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) expects public school curricula to promote the priorities of the Texas Republican party, they’ll have to leave President […]
Owing Each Other a Terrible Loyalty
“No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all‑wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except for all those other forms that have […]
Now We All Live In The Zone of Interest
by Rabbi Nancy Kasten At the “Jews Against ICE” demonstration outside federal headquarters in Washington, D.C. on February 11, rabbis, cantors, and others in attendance held up signs reading “Don’t […]
What’s Old Is (Re)New(ed)!
When the Roman king Numa Pompilius added January and February to the calendar in about 713 BCE, the first month was named for the god Janus — the god of […]
Gifts of Community or Commodity?
‘Tis the season, when we celebrate holidays in our traditions that are meant to bring light to a dark time of year. And ‘tis the season when we are inundated […]
Voices from Jerusalem: A Path Toward Peace
In moments of conflict, it can feel impossible to know where to look for clarity or hope. At Faith Commons, we turn to people whose daily work is peacebuilding—leaders grounded […]