Evolve: Groundbreaking Jewish Conversations

Enrich Your Passover Experience

Explore a variety of ways to understand Pesakh and to immerse in its practices.

We have curated a series of essays that open discussions and analyses of Passover by Erica Riddick, Rabbi Margie Jacobs, Rabbi Mychal Copeland, Max Buckler, Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, Rabbi Michael Strassfeld, Rabbi Vivie Mayer, Rabbi Ellen Bernstein, z”l, Dr Shoshana Fershtman and Rabbi Aryeh Bernstein.

Covenantal Community

What are our commitments to one another as part of a sacred community?

A conversation among Rabbi Jess Belasco, Shane Burley, Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer, Dr. Ali Michael, Rabbi Sid Schwarz, Rabbi David Teutsch, and Rabbi Deborah Waxman.

Groundbreaking Jewish Conversations

Evolve is an online platform with conversation-sparking essays from thought-provoking rabbis, leaders and creators. Explore essays on key topics, as well as curricula, sermon sparks and videos that apply the best thinking to contemporary questions.

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Community

Can We ‘Hold Each Other’ Online?

In Can We ‘Hold Each Other’ Online? Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer explores the community created through Ritualwell's 15-minute minyan 'Holding Each Other.' She shares about the power of a pause in the day for prayer and the opportunity to honor, recognize and see each other, even if community members never meet off line.

Justice

Jewish Teaching About Fat Liberation: You Can’t Photoshop Fat People Out of the Image of God

How can we unlearn the harmful teachings society places upon us and move toward liberation for fat people — and therefore, for all people?

Gender, Justice

From the School Yard to the Talmud: Trans People Exist and Are Not Going Away

March 17, 2025
by Rabbi Elliot Kukla

The Mishnah mandates that people beyond the gender binary must be protected from all forms of harm. This so much more comprehensive than anything we have today to shield us from attacks.

Israel and Palestine, Justice

Searching For Signs of Peace After October 7th: Combatants for Peace

March 17, 2025
by Dr. Maynard Seider

Can joint peace groups like the Combatants for Peace make a difference, particularly in these very dark times?

Rabbi James Greene on Aiding Refugees Despite Government Resettlement Pause

Jewish tradition emphasizes welcoming the stranger. Many organizations like Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts live that value by helping to resettle refugees. But what happens when government policies make that nearly impossible? Rabbi James Greene, CEO of Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts, shares how his organization supports refugees —despite legal and financial obstacles. Greene discusses the impact of recent policy shifts, the power of community-driven advocacy and why helping newcomers to the country is central to Jewish tradition. Tune in for a powerful conversation on justice, resilience and the fight for a more welcoming world.

Read Rabbi James’ Evolve Essay, “Praying in the Language of Welcoming: Refugee and Immigration Advocacy”

Web Conversations

Evolve Web Conversations are opportunities for you to interact with our authors in real-time, by asking questions and challenging their assumptions. Videos and transcripts are posted in an archive for those who are unable to attend live.