Fall 2026/5787
The Illuminator is the official newsletter of Or Emet, the Minnesota Congregation for Humanistic Judaism, published three times per year. It shares community news, event updates, and member articles. Read the latest articles now on our website and find past issues through the link below.
The Doors of Rosh Hashanah
By Rabbi Eva R. Cohen Approaching Rosh Hashanah’s “great door,”¹ a portal into a new year of new seasons, I’m excited to share that Jack, Freyja, and I passed through another “great door” this summer. We’ve become homeowners! [...]
Read MorePresident’s Update, Fall 2026/5787
It has been a wonderful summer of B-Mitzvah celebrations! Mazel tov to Leta Young, Lila Busby, Rose King, and Ilana Binder. Each [...]
Read MoreExecutive Committee Report, 2026/5786 Annual Meeting
President Jeff Pipes reported that we’ve had another successful year with stable and growing membership and and an especially successful school program. [...]
Read MoreJewish Cultural Sunday School Update, Fall 2026/5787
By Mollie Phipps, JCSS Director I’m looking forward to welcoming our Jewish Cultural Sunday School students, teachers and aides in September as [...]
Read MoreSocial Justice/Social Action Committee Update
by Howard Schneider, Chair Or Emet’s Reverse Tashlich Event is now “Earth Tashlich” Or Emet’s committee has changed the name to [...]
Read MorePride and Prejudices
by Alan Miller Let me preface my remarks by stating that I am so old that my birth certificate is written on papyrus. [...]
Read MoreKeshet: What is it and why does it matter to Or Emet?
by Faith Oremland Keshet is the only United States organization working for LGBTQ+ equality in all facets of Jewish life. Keshet (קשת, KEH-shet) [...]
Read MoreRemembering Dr. Harold Londer, 1947-2020, Or Emet Co-Founder and Madrikh
On the occasion of Harold’s sixth yahrzeit on July 29, we celebrate his memory and reflect on his pivotal role in the life [...]
Read MoreCaring Circle
We’re here when you need a little extra support Or Emet’s Caring Circle (CC) offers simple, practical, short-term assistance and support to members [...]
Read MoreLife Cycle Events
Or Emet is proud to offer both the B Mitzvah Program (for 12- and 13-year-olds) as well as the Adult B Mitzvah Program (for adults who didn’t experience this coming-of-age milestone in earlier years and now want to deepen their Jewish knowledge and identity). Both programs combine group and individual study, with the B Mitzvah Program also incorporating significant experiential learning (Jewish cultural activities, community service and social justice activities, et cetera).
Or Emet had four 13-year-olds become B Mitzvah this summer, with their ceremonies featuring presentations of original projects on topics of Jewish interest along with Humanistic Torah commentaries.
The current Adult B Mitzvah Program cohort has completed their group learning and is working now on individual research and ceremony preparations. One adult B Mitzvah ceremony is scheduled for October 24 and others will be scheduled in 2027 (dates TBA). Read on for excerpts from this summer’s amazing B Mitzvah projects. We look forward to four more youth B Mitzvah ceremonies in 2027 as well.
To learn more about becoming a B Mitzvah at Or Emet, contact Rabbi Eva (via ).
The History of Challah
B Mitzvah Presentation by Rose King Challah is a braided bread commonly served on Shabbat and other Jewish holidays. It is traditionally slightly sweet, egg-rich, and baked kosher. [...]
Read MoreA Jewish History of West Side Story
B Mitzvah Presentation by Leta Young You’ve probably heard of the musical West Side Story about a boy named Tony falling in love with a girl named Maria. The [...]
Read MoreThe History of the Bar, Bat, and B Mitzvah
B Mitzvah Presentation by Ilana Binder When I learned what a bat mitzvah was, I didn’t question what it meant or why we were doing it until I [...]
Read MoreBarbara: A Force in French Chanson
B Mitzvah Presentation by Lila Busby Music has been very important to every part of my life. There is always a song playing. My headphones have never [...]
Read MoreThe Illuminator was produced and edited by Joan Barnett, Susan Weinberg, and Diane Walkoff with support by Jeff Pipes, Janet Mayer, and many more members and friends of Or Emet. New member, Tia Lauve, has recently adapted The Illuminator for digital distribution.
If you have corrections, commentary, or suggestions for future editions, please email .