Avi Weiss, at The Blogs

Avi Weiss

Apr 19, 2024, 7:53 PM

With Israel at war, here are some humble suggestions on how to make the Seder more spiritually meaningful. Our goal is to inspire creative thinking, relating different elements of the Seder to these heavy but uplifting times. Yehi Ohr...

Apr 16, 2024, 4:21 PM

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This Passover we say: Let my people go – now!

This image from video published January 11, 2024, shows a Hamas tunnel in southern Gaza's Khan Yunis where the IDF believes hostages were held by the terror group. (Israel Defense Forces)

The call is aimed at Hamas, but even more so at those who stay silent when they should speak out against evil

Nov 6, 2023, 12:32 AM

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Ambassador Jack Lew: An up-close view from one of his rabbis

Jacob Lew, former treasury secretary under President Barack Obama, testifies during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing to examine his nomination as Ambassador to the State of Israel, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

His ethical integrity and concern not only for the powerful, but the most vulnerable, know no bounds

Sep 13, 2023, 2:11 PM

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Loving other Jews: A meditation

Hands form the shape of a heart, against a colorful sunset. (iStock)

This is a moment to remember that we Jews are family, and to hold each other in our hearts, for the coming year

Mar 31, 2023, 8:46 PM

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This year, we need an ‘ethics of dissent’ for seder night

Illustrative. An Israeli family seen during the Passover seder on the first night of the week-long Jewish holiday. (Nati Shohat/ Flash 90)

All Jews are family, and the test of family is how we love each other when we disagree, not when we agree

Mar 5, 2023, 3:59 PM

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Aggressive compromise is a sign of strength, not weakness

In the '80s, I was sure the Jewish underground was right. Now I know better: Israel needs both right and left for balance

Dec 29, 2022, 5:04 AM

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Jews do count: Stop anti-Jewish hatred

Hoboken Police officers stand watch outside the United Synagogue of Hoboken, in Hoboken, New Jersey, November 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Ryan Kryska)

I look to political leadership and grassroots activists, to pulpit rabbis and the general public to make so-called antisemitism utterly and always unacceptable

Dec 9, 2022, 7:01 AM

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3 years after Jersey City shooting: This hero’s family deserves US citizenship

Miguel Rodriguez was shot dead as he helped a customer out of the Kosher market and Jews have a responsibility to take care of those he left behind

Mar 24, 2021, 11:30 AM

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Living lessons from the Paschal sacrifice

Cooking the Paschal offering. (via YouTube)

Here are 14 ways to extrapolate from the obscure details of the holiday's animal offering and improve our own behavior

Jan 27, 2021, 11:53 PM

To Rep. Bowman: An Open Response to Your Recent Criticism of Israel

Dear Representative Bowman, I hope this finds you and your family well. Now that you’ve assumed office as our representative, my blessings for your success. I continue, however, to be deeply concerned, upset by your stance on Israel, most recently, your criticism...

About Me

Avi Weiss is the founding rabbi of the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, Bronx, N.Y., and founder of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah and Yeshivat Maharat rabbinical schools. He is a co-founder of the International Rabbinic Fellowship and longtime Jewish activist for Israel and human rights.