Browsing category Judaism

Abraham Smashed the Idols


I asked friends on social media what their favorite midrash is. Mine remains Abraham smashing the idols in his father’s shop. He smashed all but one, and handed the stick to the biggest one. He told his father that they fought for a woman’s offering, and that one prevailed. Terah, his father, said, “but they’re

Reflections on Yom HaShoah


FROM WIKIPEDIA: Yom Hazikaron laShoah ve-laG’vurah known colloquially in Israel and abroad as Yom HaShoah (יום השואה) and in English as Holocaust Remembrance Day, or Holocaust Day, is observed as Israel’s day of commemoration for the approximately six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust as a result of the actions carried out by Nazi

When Criticism Goes Too Far


I’m not going to name names or even provide a context for this post, aside that recently, I received some “criticism” of another human being that involved a whole lot of insult or inference and conjecture. There is a need, in this world, for constructive criticism. However, one of the things I love about Jewish

Open Source Synagogue Management


I never really had an opportunity to contribute to some of the other open source projects of a Jewish nature. I maintain a very full programming and project schedule already, between paid work and non-profit work. I’ve developed Android and iOS versions of my app, “The Kosher Backpacker Appalachian Trail Guide,” which is not open

Being a Jewish Leader in Tumultuous Times


I heard all the jokes after receiving our congregation’s nomination for the Presidency. Sufficiency of marbles, who hates you, etcetera etcetera. It’s such an honor, and every now and then, I feel like I was the right person at the right time. That is, on the days where I’m not questioning why the heck I

How Boomers are Preserving American Judaism


In Tablet recently, Liel Leibovitz scribed what is sure to be a controversial article blaming Boomers for ruining American Judaism. It raised some good points: For the most part, these people joined shuls, attended infrequently, and dispatched their young ones to Hebrew schools run by well-meaning but not particularly competent educators. I know more than

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About Brian

Brian Kresge

Brian Kresge

Writer, President of Bangor's Congregation Beth Israel, soldier, programmer, father, musician, Heeb, living in the woods of Maine with three ladies and a dog.

About Leah

Leah Kresge

Leah Kresge

Director of Education for Congregation Beth Israel in Bangor, Maine, special educator and former school board member, mother to Amelia and Nezzie.

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