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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Seeing the Good

More than 260 years ago at the Touro Synagogue in Newport, RI, Rabbi Isaac Touro gave what is believed to be the first Hebrew Thanksgiving sermon praising England’s King George III for protecting Newport’s Jews. There have been many ups and downs in our nation since then, but…

The Power of Jewish Storytelling

Every time I come into CJP’s offices, I walk by an inspiring quote that happens to come from Vayera, this week’s Torah portion:

“Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?” God says in the text, “For I have singled him out that he may teach his children and all the generatio…

Time to Build

This week, we continue to feel a deep sense of relief and joy as the living hostages have finally returned home to Israel. For months, we have prayed, hoped, and worked for this moment; though we still await the return of the remaining bodies and we grieve for those who will never come hom…

Reflections on October 7

Tomorrow is October 7, and marks two years since Hamas brutally attacked Israel, killing over 1,200 people, taking more than 250 hostages, and starting a horrific war. Most of us can remember exactly where we were that morning, and we have spent every day since thinking about and praying f…

Standing Together

Dear Friends,

The High Holidays are a time for family and community, and a period when — as Abraham Joshua Heschel says — “A Jew never stands alone.”

In my video reflections, I draw inspiration from the many ways that we as a Jewish community stand together. At this time of yea…