Reb Arthur’s first note from his desk as Prophetic Envoy.

After the passing of the lulav, messages of gratitude and welcome, and an invitation to action.

Rabbi Nate's remarks at The Great "Save-In," telling the story about his journey to becoming Director, articulating The Shalom Center's shared vision for the next chapter, and expressing his well wishes and appreciation for Arthur, as he passed the lulav to Nate and became our Prophetic Envoy, a title he has already embodied so meaningfully for many decades.

Please join us tonight, as we traverse the cosmic crossroads of this moment, tending to our hearts and caring for our spirits.

This Hoshanah Rabbah, October 22nd, in-person in Philadelphia or online via Zoom, come celebrate Arthur’s 91st birthday. Honor his legacy. Be present for his final moments as Director of The Shalom Center, 41 years after founding the organization, as he passes the lulav of leadership to Rabbi Nate DeGroot and the next generation.

Three celebratory markers for Sukkot

Our suggestion for Yom Kippur: A blessing brought together by Rabbi Toba Spitzer, the spiritual leader of Congregation Dorshei Tzedek in Masssachsetts and a former president of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association.

A Hoshanah Rabbah actifest honoring Reb Arthur at 91 and marking the world at a crossroads, now accessible via Zoom livestream!.

Forget waiting for something or someone else to save us, we know that sometimes we need to take our saving into our own hands. We are not free to desist.

R' Arthur writes: "Gloria and I will be having a conversation for thoughtful and “feelingful” people the evening of Tuesday, October 22. It will highlight our free Hoshana Rabbah celebration, along with lots of music."

On October 22nd, The Shalom Center is hosting a Hoshanah Rabbah actifest in Philadelphia and online called The Great "Save-In." It is part of a broader GOTV-PA effort we are undertaking. Why connect Sukkot with voting?

A prayer/poem by Rabbi Elisheva Salamo for the High Holy Days liturgy.

A Hoshanah Rabbah actifest honoring Reb Arthur at 91 and marking the world at a crossroads.

Michael Walzer writes, "The theory of just war depends heavily on the distinction between combatants and civilians. In contemporary warfare, these two groups are often mixed together in the same spaces — often, indeed, deliberately mixed together, because the killing of civilians invites moral condemnation. . . . Still, a military responding to this strategy has to do everything it can to avoid or minimize civilian casualties."

In this time of jumble, both within and beyond, we are sharing teachings and opportunities that Shalom Center staff and lay leaders have recently offered into the world.

Feeling pumped up after last night's debate? Ready to do something ASAP? Sign up now for our Pennsylvania phone banking kick-off tonight with RAC-PA and OnePA 4All. No need to live in PA, just a belief that we are at our best when everyone's voice is included in our democracy!

We rarely think about voting as a non-violent action to change the world. Voting is in some ways parallel to a sit-in, a vigil, a teach-in, or other non-violent ways of changing the policies of those in power.

This year's Hoshanah Rabbah falls right in the heart of election season, with polls closing exactly two weeks from the start of the holiday. That’s why, at the Great “Save-In” in October - and all fall leading up to the election - we are partnering with RAC-PA and OnePA 4 All on a nonpartisan Get Out the Vote (GOTV) mobilization in Pennsylvania, which begins now!

R' Arthur writes: "The Israeli public, hundreds of thousands strong, went into the streets yesterday to demand accountability for Prime Minister Netanyahu — who along with Hamas bears responsibility for the murders of six hostages. They were denouncing the Netanyahu government for having refused to agree to a cease-fire that would have returned all the remaining hostages alive."

May the memory of this great justice-pursuer be a blessing to us all. And may the One who gave his teachings such an impact on the world fulfill the compassion and the truth that are embodied by his death.