You are invited to the Shalom V'Tzedek
Anti-Fascist Book Discussion Group

The group happens every 1st Wednesday of the month at 3 pm Central time via Zoom.

Our current book for discussion: "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century" by Timothy Snyder.
(Please note that the opening introduction presentation will be recorded for later sharing, but the bulk of our conversation time will not be recorded.)

To register: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/IitdKJavQoiEunHzMTqPgg

For more information on this group: https://shalomvtzedek.org/bookgroup-antifascist.htm

Also, our sponsor is Shalom V'Tzedek a Jewish school of learning that explores Unbound #HumanisticJudaism with a special focus on #peace and #SocialJustice

#AntiFascism #BookDiscussion #Books #Mazeldon #Judaism #ResistFascism #Fascism #TimothySnyder

For those wondering about my #ShavuotLive posts --- this is an annual observance of the Jewish holiday of #Shavuot that happens online via Zoom --- 24 hours of expansive unbounded Jewish learning, because Shavuot if a holiday in which Jews celebrate the giving of the law by Moses at Mount Sinaii -- which includes not only the written Torah but also the more expansive oral Torah.

For myself, as a Humanistic Jew, I see this all through the lens of metaphor and mythology, which is why I revel in this holiday for its expansive possibilities --- which is also why Shavuot Live features everything from traditional textual studies to explorations of erotic female-centered Yiddish poetry, to a discussion of the idea that the Biblical character of Essau might have been a vampire, to the theological lessons that toddlers might teach us, and so much more.

#HumanisticJudaism #UnboundJudaism #Mazeldon

I'm proud to announce the start of a new project, Shalom V'Tzedek a #Yeshiva (or school of #Jewish learning) that will focus on promoting Unbound #HumanisticJudaism, with a special focus on #Shalom (#peace) and #Tzedek (#Justice).

We have lots of work in progress, but for this summer we will be focusing on two things:

1. A monthly #AntiFascist book discussion group

2. A monthly book discussion group that will be looking for the Torah (teachings or wisdom) in the Tales of the City series of books by #ArmisteadMaupin

#UnboundJudaism #Mazeldon #JewishLearning #Books

Find out more: www.ShalomVTzedek.org

I'm proud to announce the start of a new project, Shalom V'Tzedek a #Yeshiva (or school of #Jewish learning) that will focus on promoting Unbound #HumanisticJudaism, with a special focus on #Shalom (#peace) and #Tzedek (#Justice).

We have lots of work in progress, but for this summer we will be focusing on two things:

1. A monthly #AntiFascist book discussion group

2. A monthly book discussion group that will be looking for the Torah (teachings or wisdom) in the Tales of the City series of books by #ArmisteadMaupin

#UnboundJudaism #Mazeldon #JewishLearning #Books

Find out more: www.ShalomVTzedek.org

https://shj.org/new-siddur-for-humanistic-judaism/

Very excited that I recently got my copy of this siddur. My friend Martin Di Maggio has done an incredible job with it.

I hope to share more reflections on it in the coming days as I have the chance to dive deep into it, but I will say for now three things:

1. The book itself is not only easy to read, but it is beautiful. I really like how the pages are laid out.
2. Many of the non-theistic liturgical selections are crafted in such a way that they work with the traditional melodies we know.
3. There is a good bit of #Sephardic influence in this siddur, which is a welcome change.

#HumanisticJudaism #Tefilah #Mazeldon #Liturgy

https://shj.org/new-siddur-for-humanistic-judaism/

Very excited that I recently got my copy of this siddur. My friend Martin Di Maggio has done an incredible job with it.

I hope to share more reflections on it in the coming days as I have the chance to dive deep into it, but I will say for now three things:

1. The book itself is not only easy to read, but it is beautiful. I really like how the pages are laid out.
2. Many of the non-theistic liturgical selections are crafted in such a way that they work with the traditional melodies we know.
3. There is a good bit of #Sephardic influence in this siddur, which is a welcome change.

#HumanisticJudaism #Tefilah #Mazeldon #Liturgy

PLANNING AN EPIC RAIL TRIP/SPEAKING TOUR

I was able to snag a half-price #Amtrak railpass on a special, so I'm planning some cross-country travel, but I also would love to take advantage of this opportunity to get to do some speaking in different communities while traveling.

The cities I'll be at (and would have time to speak in) are: Seattle, Portland, SF Bay area, and Denver.

The topics I can present on would include:

1. #DraftCounseling - Why local groups need to start getting ready to help people who may face military conscription under the Trump administration?

2. The issue of #IllegalOrders under US #MilitaryLaw as well as #InternationalLaw

3. #Indigenous Draft Resistance - stories and reflections from the history of resistance by Indigenous Americans to being drafted

4. The joys of engaging in MRP (multi-religious practice) --- I'm a Humanistic Jew who is also an active member of a progressive #Mennonite church.

5. Something else? - I'm open to other topics related to military law, #HumanisticJudaism, and the progressive Mennonite tradition.

As far as cost goes, I'm asking for local groups who can afford it to either: (1) find me a place to a stay, ideally a private bedroom that I can get to by mass transit from the Amtrak station, or (2) pay me an honorarium of at least $100.

I'm firming up my travel plans, but it looks like the cities and dates that I would be available for speaking engagements would be:

#Seattle, WA
Wed, April 29 (evening)
Thu, April 30 (all day)
#Portland, OR
Fri, May 1 (evening)
#SF Bay Area
Sunday, May 3 (all day)
Monday, May 4 (all day)
#Denver
Tuesday, May 6 (late evening, if train is on time)
Wed, May 7 - morning or lunch

If you know any groups who want me to speak for them and/or have other ideas, please me a message or email me at girightslawyer at gmail dot com.

Thanks!

https://spinozahavurah.org/2026/02/17/farbrengen-february-21-2026-humanistic-spirituality-and-the-torah-of-our-lives/

Join the Spinoza Havurah for a Farbrengen (spirited discussion) on the topic of "Humanistic Spirituality and the Torah of our Lives" on Saturday, February 21, 2026.

It will be led by James M. Branum/

#HumanisticJudaism #Judaism #Mazeldon #Farbrengen #Spirituality

https://momentmag.com/qa-minneapolis-rabbi-eva-r-cohen-stands-with-the-stranger/

#IceOut #Minneapolis #HumanisticJudaism #Mazeldon

https://youtu.be/9jHYKR1U6dg

Recording of the Jan. 24, 2026 #Shabbat service with the #SpinozaHavurah

Our D'var Torah and discussion was on Parashah Bo.

#Torah #HumanisticJudaism #Mazeldon