Exploring Judaism Writers Fellowship Cohort 1 - 2024-2025 - The Digital Home for Conservative Judaism

Exploring Judaism Writer's Fellowship

Cohort 1 - 2024/2025

The Exploring Judaism Writers Fellowship is a paid six-month cohort-based fellowship for rabbinical students to cultivate their professional spiritual voice, expand their writing portfolio, and share Torah with a broad audience.

Who are the fellows?

Alex Friedman

JTS ’25

Boaz Davidoff

Schechter Institute ’25

Daniela Rusowsky

Abraham J. Heschel Seminary

Joshua Klein

Schechter Institute ’25

Malka Michel

Ziegler ’25

Tsvia Weisberger

Schechter Institute ’26

Who are the instructors?

Rabbi Mordechai Rackover

Exploring Judaism
Executive Editor

Rabbi Jeremy Markiz

Exploring Judaism
Managing Editor

Kimberly McElhatten

Open Roads
Writing and Coaching

Read the Fellows' Posts:

Food in the Talmud A Window Into a Distant Past

Food is a way to discover layers of knowledge, connect to an ancient memory, and an invitation to revisit the lives of our distant ancestors.

Pharaoh’s Hardened Heart and the Nature of Free Will

Free will gives us a lot of responsibility. But the sages teach we're still able to make mistakes and the teshuvah to repair them.

An Eruv is a shared public space that belongs to everyone, representing the ideal of unity: no divisions, and a world that is one big ...

It is custom to have two challot at the Shabbat meal. Where does this tradition come from? Here are a few answers to that question.

How to Get the Get (A Jewish Divorce) and Why It Matters

The Get or “decree of divorce,” plays a fundamental role in the Jewish life cycle of a couple whose marriage has come to an end ...

Ketubah might be the most important contract of all. The document that guards the most important treasure in the world - our marriage.

Mordecai, Purim, and queerness come to invite all of us, queer or not, to work towards and reap the rewards of a free world.

Balancing Work and Faith: The Dilemma of Modern Jewish Life

Through thoughtful choices, self-reflection, and a commitment to growth, we can balance our professional obligations and spiritual practices.

Finding Meaning in Communal Prayer Without Hebrew Fluency

Being in community, singing with heart, by listening to the prayers, or by intending to connect with G-d are ways to lift up our experience.

Prayer is one of the most common and misunderstood parts of Jewish life. Here are five myths about Jewish prayer.

The Price of Exhaustion: Lessons from Jacob and Esau

In a world that celebrates exhaustion, we can look to Jacob and Esau for a deeper lesson: we have to value what truly matters.

Help! I’m Bored During the Torah Service!

Take charge of your Jewish learning and the Torah service can become an opportunity to know and think Jewishly more today than yesterday.

Simply, something appropriate for a religious service. But, getting to know the community will help you understand what feels right.

Not only does God cry, but so does Moses in the basket when he's found by Batya, Pharaoh's daughter. Why does this moment matter?

Rest is the Best: Why Resting on Shabbat Matters

Shabbat isn’t about restrictions,it’s about freedom. A chance to step away from the noise and reconnect with yourself, loved ones, and G-d.

This portion reveals the intricate layers of psychological conflicts, while revealing the love, loyalty, and trust that exist amongst us.

Transforming Friday dinner into Shabbat dinner

In times where family and friends are more rare than ever, Shabbat dinner is a precious cradle of memories and community is a gift.

How to Manage Distractions During the Amidah

Getting distracted during the Amidah and prayer is normal. But what do I do about it? There are a number of approaches that might work.

Balancing Torah Study and Worldly Engagement Can it work

You can find a harmonious existence where Torah study enriches your engagement with the world and the world inspires your spiritual growth.

Am I Poor of Deeds? Yom Kippur Sermon 5785

In a challenging year, the statement in the prayer Hineni haunts me: "Here am I, poor of deeds." But is this true? Am I poor ...

The Deeper Meaning of Havdalah Make it Personal

Through its symbolism, Havdalah teaches us that the boundary between sacred and the ordinary are not truly separate, but can also be fun!

If Jews Like It, They Put a Ring On It On When Jews Get Engaged

Getting engaged, like other lifecycle events in Judaism, offers us a chance to opt-in to this wonderful and rewarding project we call Judaism

Wake up with Gratitude to Cultivate Happiness

Engaging in gratitude every morning for being alive is a religious habit that can contribute to a healthier and happy life.

Action and Responsibility: The Lessons of Noah

Our test is not just about personal survival or individual righteousness — it's about collective action and shared responsibility.

The Eight Steps to Learn to Lead a Prayer Service

Interested in leading services for your community? This guide will help you, step by step, take on this amazing communal role.

Confronting the Myth of Consent in Circumcision: Five Perspectives

We are charged with passing the Torah to the next generation and teaching them to value it. Circumcision is a powerful symbol of that.

How to Light Shabbat Candles: A Beginner’s Guide

Lighting Shabbat candles is one of our most beautiful traditions. Go grab your candles, here's how to light Shabbat candles step by step.

The Jewish Housewarming: Celebrating Your Hanukat HaBayit

Remember that your home is not just a place to live but a sanctuary for your soul, a hub for community, and a legacy for ...

Does God Punish us Looking Deeper at Deuteronomy's Theology

Unpacking Deuteronomy's Theology: How could such a loving God allow us to suffer? Does God want us to suffer? Is it a punishment?

A delicate balance is required in dealing with difficult people, and the rabbis provide us a framework to explore this very question.

What’s the deal with electricity on Shabbat?

Why is electricity such a complicated issue when it comes to Shabbat? What are the considerations? How can I learn more about it?

Our tradition mandates we pray three times a day, but why? There are 2 theories. But, we might ask: What does it mean to pray?

Our world holds a range of challenges for us. At the heart of how we meet those challenges is the call to brotherhood.

What to expect when going to a B-Mitzvah?

A B-Mitzvah is the Jewish celebration and ritual of coming of age, and it is celebrated at about the age of 13. Here's what you ...

The Shema is the twice-daily renewal of our vows, to focus on what matters in the world: love, relationship, community and the Holy.

Educational Milestones are Jewish Moments

Celebrating educational milestones as Jewish moments, we pass on a legacy, linking their achievements to generations past and future.

Honoring and Involving Friends and Family in Your Jewish Wedding

Here are some recommendations on how (and when) to involve and include your loved ones in your Jewish wedding.

Moving House A Recurring Event of Jewish Life

No matter if we're moving two blocks away or crossing an ocean, with only our mezuzah reminds us who we are and how to continue ...

Why and How We Should Play Games on Shabbat

It isn't just about playing games. They are the threads that weave a family's Shabbat tapestry, creating precious memories.

What to Do and What to Expect at a Shiva

The purpose of the shiva is to comfort the bereaved individual or family, there are a few basic steps for when you attend one.

I was just offered an Aliyah to the Torah: What do I do?

What do I do when I'm offered an aliyah to the Torah? What is it? This special honor gives us a front row seat at ...

How do I Prepare for Shabbat Without Stressing Out?

We can prepare and still find ourselves scrambling before Shabbat. With a reframe, we can treat it as a rich part of our Shabbat experience.