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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Hope in Fragile Times

Dear Friends,

Last night I had the great honor of giving the benediction after Governor Maura Healey’s State of the Commonwealth Address. As a 4th-generation Bostonian, it was especially meaningful to me. I’m not sure that my great-grandparents raising their new American families in C…

Hostage and ceasefire deal

Dear Friends,

I’m writing to you with anticipation and so many emotions. Like many of you, I’ve been watching and reading the news with bated breath as progress has evolved over the last several days.

According to Israeli and U.S. news reports, Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefi…

My Brother’s Keeper

Shalom Chaverim (friends), 

As I return from an emotional CJP solidarity mission to Israel, this week’s Torah portion, Vayigash, feels deeply meaningful, even haunting.

It opens with the climax of the Joseph story and contains, in my opinion, one of the most moving monologues in the B…

Creating light, sharing in miracles

Dear Friends,

Lighting candles feels especially miraculous in times that feel especially dark.

It is unimaginable that it is now the second Hanukkah with hostages continuing to sit in darkness, the hell of captivity, after 441 days.

Hanukkah — a holiday about Jewish survival and t…

In Thanksgiving for Partnership

Dear Friends,

Yesterday, CJP convened 75 professional and volunteer leaders from our Jewish communal organizations to reflect on the challenges of leadership and to imagine the future we are building together.

These talented, passionate individuals have been holding their organizations a…