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Robert Alter completes his monumental translation of the Hebrew Bible

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Robert Alter in his natural habitat, the home office where he does most of his translating. (David A.M. Wilensky)
Robert Alter in his natural habitat, the home office where he does most of his translating. (David A.M. Wilensky)

Robert Alter in his natural habitat, the home office where he does most of his translating. (David A.M. Wilensky)

SAN FRANCISCO (J. The Jewish News of Northern California via JTA) – “When God began to create heaven and earth, and the earth then was welter and waste and darkness over the deep and God’s breath hovering over the waters, God said, ‘Let there be light.’ And there was light.”

So begins a monumental new literary translation of the Hebrew Bible by University of California Berkeley scholar Robert Alter. Yes, “welter and waste” – more on that later.

Most full translations of the Bible are done by teams of translators. Alter is the first person to complete a major English-language translation of the entire Hebrew Bible on his own. [Read more…]

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For Reform, new gay-friendly High Holidays prayer book keeps up inclusivity trend

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The new Reform High Holidays prayer book adds a third option to the traditional formula calling worshippers to the Torah to reflect the experience of individuals who don't identify as male or female. (David A.M. Wilensky)
The new Reform High Holidays prayer book adds a third option to the traditional formula calling worshippers to the Torah to reflect the experience of individuals who don't identify as male or female. (David A.M. Wilensky)

The new Reform High Holidays prayer book adds a third option to the traditional formula calling worshippers to the Torah to reflect the experience of individuals who don’t identify as male or female. (David A.M. Wilensky)

PHILADELPHIA (JTA) – The Reform movement’s rabbinic association unveiled its new High Holidays prayer book – one that continues the movement’s trend toward inclusive liturgy – at the group’s 126th annual convention. [Read more…]

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Reform rabbinic group installs its first openly gay president

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Rabbi Denise Eger, centre, reads Torah during her March 16 installation as CCAR president. Also pictured, from left to right, Rabbi Paul Kipnes, Rabbi Mara Nathan, Rabbi Oren Hayon and Rabbi Susan Shankman. (David A.M. Wilensky)
Rabbi Denise Eger, centre, reads Torah during her March 16 installation as CCAR president. Also pictured, from left to right, Rabbi Paul Kipnes, Rabbi Mara Nathan, Rabbi Oren Hayon and Rabbi Susan Shankman. (David A.M. Wilensky)

Rabbi Denise Eger, centre, reads Torah during her March 16 installation as CCAR president. Also pictured, from left to right, Rabbi Paul Kipnes, Rabbi Mara Nathan, Rabbi Oren Hayon and Rabbi Susan Shankman. (David A.M. Wilensky)

PHILADELPHIA (JTA) – In 1988, her sexual identity a semi-open secret, newly ordained Rabbi Denise Eger had trouble landing a job. Decades on, Eger has risen to the top of her profession, installed Monday as president of Reform Judaism’s Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR). [Read more…]

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