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A Message from Marc

Marc's Message

Marc Baker headshot
CJP's President and CEO, Rabbi Marc Baker, writes and teaches about leadership, community, and civic life, bringing the voice of Jewish tradition to contemporary issues.

 

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Remembering, Reflecting, Rebuilding

Dear Friends,

This is a powerful and poignant time of year. Yesterday we commemorated Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Memorial Day, and next week we will commemorate Yom HaZikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terror, and celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s 74th Inde…

We Cannot Stand by and Wait for the Sea to Part

Dear Friends,

Tomorrow night, the holiday of Passover begins with the annual Passover Seder, perhaps the most observed Jewish practice in the world by Jews of every background and identity. Our holiday of freedom and redemption comes amidst clouds of darkness in our world, including the hor…

It’s All About the Kids – Reflections from Israel

Dear Friends,

I am writing from Jerusalem at the end of a meaningful week in Israel with an incredible group from CJP's Leon and Cynthia Shulman Acharai Leadership Program. While the war in Ukraine enters its sixth week, and tensions in Israel are high given this past week’s horrific ter…

Purim and Spiritual Resistance

Part of me struggled with celebrating Purim this year, given how closely we continue to follow the horrific conflict in Ukraine. In the face of fighting and suffering and the urgent critical work we are doing every day with our partners to support people in need -– how was it appropriate t…

Ukraine: Our Community Responds as War Rages On

Dear Friends,  

As the war in Ukraine rages on, we watch the humanitarian disaster with fear and disbelief: What seemed like a world order has so quickly shattered.  

We are human beings and citizens of the world, and our hearts break for all Ukrainians. As Jews, we feel responsible fo…