5785 was… well, interesting. As we step into 5786, may we bring with us the wisdom of the past year and the resilience to shape a sweeter, more just world. Shanah Tovah u’Metukah — wishing you a year of renewal, courage, and blessing.

Outrage in America isn’t calibrated to the severity of violence—it’s calibrated to the identity of the victims open.substack.com/pub/rabbisan...

A message from our Executive Director @rabbisandra.bsky.social Help us start 5786 strong

Outrage calibrated not to severity, but to political identity

With everything going on in the world, it’s such a gift to turn on the TV and be rewarded with a music festival raising money for good—Farm Aid. It takes me back to the late ’80s, when live benefit concerts were a thing.

"If you only live in a time of something existing, it is hard for you to imagine a time before it existed and how much better life has gotten. And so you don’t think it’s meaningful anymore." - Trevor Noah open.substack.com/pub/rabbisan...

Charlie Kirk's murder is tragic. Political violence is a sign of a society in crisis, and we should all be disturbed by it, no matter who the target is.

This is crazy. Does he want to rage war on our own people. I wish Congress would get a back bone

Read @jaymichaelson.bsky.social piece on Bari Weiss open.substack.com/pub/jaymicha...

@cbsnews.com.web.brid.gy CBS News built its name on trust. Handing the editorial wheel to Bari Weiss risks turning public service journalism into contrarian spectacle.

Grateful today for resilience. The strength that bends but does not break. The courage to rise, again and again. The steady breath that keeps us moving forward. I see it in my life, my community, and in all who refuse to give up on hope or justice. What’s your gratitude today?

My frustration with many Black-Jewish alliances open.substack.com/pub/rabbisan...

Shoftim and Remembering Emmett Till open.substack.com/pub/rabbisan...

I have to say it. We should not have armed soldiers in our streets

Louisiana’s murder rate is nearly 3x higher than California’s. Funny how Fox never mentions that.

Chances of a retraction when the inevitable happens?

Kamala Harris at her closing campaign rally: "Donald Trump intends to use the United States Military against American citizens who simply disagree with him."

Did you know that we blow the Shofar in the morning during the month of Elul.

Did you know that Judaism sats aside an entire month to prepare for the holidays? Link to entire video: substack.com/home/post/p-...

I have been frustrated with Black and Jewish alliances orgs for decades. These alliances cannot only be framed as a binary, b/c many Jews are Black. Too often, what I see are “alliances” that function in only one direction: spaces where Black people are expected to learn abt the Jewish experience.

"You shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your needy neighbor. Rather, you shall open your hand wide to him, and surely lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he lacks." open.substack.com/pub/rabbisan...

To hide slavery's central role in our history is false witness. Slavery is American history—it lasted longer than this nation has existed. Enslaved people built this country, we fought a war against the British to keep it and a war in the U.S. to end it.

Listen to the Daily episode from this morning. Laura Loomer is a hurt person lashing out to hurt other people. She has power and influence which makes her dangerous.

Seriously though @governor.ca.gov –– drop that skin routine. @karaswisher.bsky.social has a 🔥 take on Gavin Newsom's epic Trump troll

"It is nonsensical to suggest that slavery in the United States was about something other than race." CNN’s Abby Phillip talks to @karaswisher.bsky.social about Jillian Michaels’ controversial comments on her show—and how she handled the moment.

Reflecting on the Jubilee episode with Amanda Seales and Jillian Michaels on CNN open.substack.com/pub/rabbisan...

My Musings Click the link to watch my interview live with @rabbielyse.bsky.social today at 3:30 ET substack.com/@rabbisandra...

Jillian Michaels is the perfect example of how someone who is Jewish, queer, and the parent of a Black child, can still be transphobic, racist, and support white supremacist revisionist history.

I’m launching a new Substack Conversation Series with Rabbis. @rabbielyse.bsky.social will be my very first guest. Rabbi Elyse is someone who continues to inspire with her vision of justice, compassion, and community. Monday, August 18, 3:30 PM ET On Substack: rabbisandra.substack.com

This week in Eikev, Moses shares a vision of abundance & justice that carried our ancestors forward. We, too, fight against what’s wrong, and for a future where all can thrive. On Shabbat, we rest, sing, & dream boldly—fueling the work ahead.

America’s story has always included immigration—even those who landed at Plymouth Rock. It’s the lifeblood of our economy, our culture, our future. Authoritarianism thrives when we forget that. A nation that closes its doors loses more than it protects.

History teaches us: targeting “newcomers” and othering folks is a classic authoritarian move to distract from their own failures. Don’t fall for it.

Authoritarianism doesn’t arrive overnight with marching boots. It seeps in when leaders undermine democratic norms, target vulnerable communities, and weaponize fear. If you think it can’t happen here, or to you, you’re already underestimating it.

I just learned I can schedule an iMessage to send later. Gamer changer for me

Do you remember Kim Davis?

Progressive Jews must stay in relationship with other progressive people and confront antisemitism when it happens. open.substack.com/pub/rabbisan...

I made this video to expand a little and talk about my essay Losing a Generation… Also, please forgive Stella’s snoring in the background. youtu.be/BEBE9IvOrHM?...

Trump mistakenly believes that Democrats will abandon their values and rule of law to protect their leaders — because that’s what Republicans do. Nah. Y’all can take anybody on our side who committed a crime. We just want everybody on your side who did, too.

To see the entire episode go here or where ever you get your podcast rabbisandra.substack.com/p/losing-a-g...

“While right-wing antisemitism is fundamentally grounded in religious and ethnic ideologies, antisemitism that appears in progressive spaces tends to operate differently, often contradicting the very values these movements claim to uphold.” open.substack.com/pub/rabbisan...

Cute house for sale www.zillow.com/homedetails/...

I plan is to do more video/podcast episodes on Substack and you will also be able to listen to them wherever you stream podcast. open.spotify.com/episode/7uBP...

The Shema - Listen up - appears in this week's torah portion. A reminder that listening isn’t passive. It’s an active, sacred act. In a noisy world, may we listen deeply: to each other, to our values, and to the call to love with all our heart and soul.

Carolina Jews for Justice is now on Bluesky give us a follow to stay up to date on the work we are doing in North Carolina for Carolinians @ncjews4justice.bsky.social

Can you guess the meaning of Susan’s shirt?

Judaism is the OG of Liberation Theology. See the full talk free RabbiSandra.substack.com

You don’t realize how much you value something until it’s gone. My account was suspended for about an hour today—while I was just updating my profile! I reached out to @bsky.app and they restored it quickly. Funny thing is, I was doing it because I want to lean into Bluesky more & use Threads less.

I’ll be playing at the Eddy tonight in Saxpahaw NC and Holly Springs Farmers Market NC tomorrow.

Some upcoming shows