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.

 

Sign up now to receive these bi-weekly emails.

Enough and More

Shalom Chaverim (Hello Friends),

It’s hard to believe that two weeks ago we were debating whether to cancel large events, and last week we were deciding whether and when to move to working remotely. Today, we’ve seen large scale responses from the federal and state government, significa…

Show Me Your Face: Coronavirus, Connection, and Our Community

Shalom Chaverim (Dear Friends),
 
I’ve spent much of the past week in touch with organizations and community members, talking about how CJP can play a positive role in helping people find the assistance they need while staying connected and engaged Jewishly during a very challenging tim…

Thoughts on Coronavirus and Purim

Shalom Chaverim,
 
I am writing on Purim, a holiday of celebration, joy, and fun in the face of a world that, especially at this moment, feels unpredictable.
 
One of the themes of the Purim story comes precisely from that unpredictability: nahafoch hu — fate can turn any moment and …

Playing Our Part

Shalom Chaverim,

I’m writing from Jerusalem as Shabbat approaches, and the sun rises over the Old City. We’re nearing the end of an intense, week-long CJP Mission with a diverse group of friends new and old, some of whom have never been to Israel. There is nothing quite like seeing Isra…

Party with Purpose

Shalom Chaverim,

Last Saturday night, at CJP’s annual Chai in the Hub event, we celebrated 12 young professional and volunteer leaders — a group that includes rabbis, educators, doctors, entrepreneurs, and more — who are making a difference in our community. More than 450 young adults…