Words That Inspire.
Voices To Guide.
Explore reflections, teachings, and community updates from The Jewish Studio. Whether you’re deepening your understanding of Jewish tradition or seeking guidance for everyday life, you’ll find something meaningful here.
Sign up to hear from us weekly
Counting on the Tribe
By Rabbi Evan J. Krame Sitting in a vegetarian restaurant in Lisbon, I look to my left and right. The couple to our left seems to be Jewish. Two tables to our right, another couple is unmistakably Jewish. We often have a kind of ethnocentric radar—“Jew-dar,” if you will—for identifying our people. It’s as old…
July 12, 2025
Fear, Perception, and the Path to Peace
Our brains perceive a threat, and we feel fear. Fear is a primary emotion with tremendous motivational power. It plays a vital role in shaping our actions and decisions, especially those related to survival and threat response. But fear does more than protect—it also distorts. It can cloud our judgment, fuel prejudice, and lead us…
July 3, 2025
Misdirection, Mourning, and Misplaced Anger
Magicians rely on misdirection—the art of drawing attention away from what truly matters to achieve a predetermined, surprising outcome. Emotionally, we often do the same. Instead of confronting what truly troubles us—grief, fear, sadness—we redirect our discomfort elsewhere, sometimes lashing out at those closest to us. This ancient tactic is not only psychological but spiritual,…
June 28, 2025
No Kings or Korach: When Is a Revolt Holy?
The actor Mark Ruffalo joined the demonstrators this past Saturday, declaring, “We see a president who has made himself a king and dictator.” Across the country, millions marched under the rallying cry: No Kings. For many, these protests were a vital expression of democratic dissent. For others, the movement lacked the clarity or unity to…
June 22, 2025
Support our Elders
Americans are facing a crisis of aging. While retirement is often romanticized, the reality is that many will not have the resources or support they need in their later years. Jewish tradition offers a moral and spiritual framework for how we should support our elders—not just as individuals, but as a society. The Torah introduces…
June 9, 2025
Faithless Spies
Twelve spies returned from scouting the Promised Land. Two—Caleb and Joshua—saw a land flowing with milk and honey, full of potential and Divine promise. But ten others, faithless spies, came back afraid. “The land devours its inhabitants,” they cried (Numbers 13:32), sowing panic and rebellion among the Israelites. Their lack of faith doomed an entire…
June 7, 2025
In the camp
There is an affliction in the camp. Jews today are facing threats from anti-Semites across the political spectrum—left and right alike. But just as troubling is a rift within our own people. Factions are demanding ideological purity, casting out those who do not conform. The rhetoric may be different, but the result feels the same:…
May 31, 2025
Retreating into the Wilderness: America’s Dangerous Drift from a Caring Society
American culture has long romanticized the wilderness. We see untamed landscapes as places of retreat from the pressures of urban life, sources of spiritual renewal, and reflections of national identity. This idealization of nature gave rise to modern environmentalism and deepened our reverence for the natural world and its creatures. Yet, the idea of wilderness…
May 21, 2025
The Value of Life
I burst into tears watching Edan Alexander reunite with his mother. In that moment, Edan was not a soldier or a political symbol—he was her child. To his family, he was the most important person in the world. And I found myself asking: How do we ascribe value to a human life? That question has…
May 17, 2025
Stay Connected to the Conversation
Get the latest reflections, teachings, and resources delivered to your inbox. Sign up to receive occasional updates and meaningful reads from our team.
Two Ways to Begin—Your Journey, Your Pace
Step Into Something Meaningful
Whether you’re planning a milestone or seeking connection through community, The Jewish Studio is here to meet you where you are. Start with a celebration, a gathering, or simply a step forward.