Teachings: Evolution of judaism

What Does Judaism Have to Say About Organ Donation?

By: 
Rabbi Goldie Milgram

Depending upon your age, you might remember Jewish tradition on the topic of organ donation as very different from how it actually is today. Once opposed, Jewish law and practice on organ donation has changed dramatically, which is part of the beauty of Judaism as a living, evolving tradition. Now that organ transplantation is a highly successful way to save a life, organ donation has been deemed an obligatory act, a mitzvah chiyuvit, by every major branch of Judaism. 

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A Father's Gift

 A Father's Gift by Noa Baum 

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Is genetic sex selection of children permitted in Judaism?

By: 
Rabbi Goldie Milgram

Question: What is the Jewish perspective on genetic sex selection of children?

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Major Contrasts in Jewish Practice

By: 
Rabbi Goldie Milgram

Because change is one of the constants of Jewish life, the variations in customs, laws, and practices at any point in our history are quite fascinating. It’s important from the outset for you to be fully aware that individual homes, congregations, and even certain neighborhoods and individual communities within those neighborhoods, have their own uniquely nuanced Jewish culture, norms, and guidelines. For example, there are Jewish communities where the norm is:

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Can a Jew Enter a Church? Mosque? Or Site of Another faith?

By: 
Rabbi Goldie Milgram

Is a Jew permitted to enter a Church, Mosque, cathedral, temple, or the site of any other faith?

As an advocate for respectful co-existence of the world's peoples and traditions, my first inclination would have been to give a short "yes" answer to this question. As I really began to think carefully about it, the question requires a far more nuanced approach.

Contexts to Consider 

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Bar/Bat Mitzvah (R)evolution

By: 
Rabbi Goldie Milgram

The B Mitzvah (R)evolution

Re-infusing meaning, relevance and spirituality into Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah is what families request, when given the opportunity for input. I did my doctorate on this topic and that was the overwhelming finding. Families report needing help to overcome the often toxic social and educational norms that have arisen regarding the B'nei Mitzvah process and to revision and adopt healthy new models.

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Judaism and Sexual Abuse

By: 
Rabbi Goldie Milgram

We were studying under a huge maple tree outside the United States when it became increasingly clear from the workshop participants’ comments that a traveling rabbi had sexually abused quite a number of women in the region over a period of years. Some had gone to him asking a deep spiritual question and were shocked by the kind of "outreach" they received. Others were young girls accepting a loving hug from a clergy person only to experience a horrific violation of their physical boundaries. All believed themselves special, "the only one." Some were sworn to secrecy. More could be said, let's just say it was becoming clear that a Jewish clergy person had left an international trail of hurt.

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