What’s in a name?
Yinon, taken from Psalm 72:17, means "to increase," "to endure," or "continue." Yinon is also an ancient reference to the Messiah.
We are inspired by a vision of Jewish life that is progressive, egalitarian, and engaging ... rooted in the enduring legacy of Mashiach. We seek to cultivate in our fellow Jews greater levels of faith, hope, and involvement with the world. We seek to inspire our sisters and brothers to prepare the world for the coming of Mashiach. We are far from having a patent on the process, and welcome you to join us on our journey.
Author Archives: Monique
On being grasshoppers and eating giants
Parashat Shelach Lecha This week’s portion is about the Jewish people at our very best and our very worst. At our very best, we are secure in our identities, trusting in the promises of G-d in the face of immense … Continue reading
A little bit of gratitude
My maternal grandfather served in U.S. Army intelligence during WWII, and helped liberate Dachau (he was both a survivor and a liberator). My paternal grandfather served as a midshipman in the Navy on the Battleship New Mexico. Joshua’s paternal grandfather … Continue reading
Yom HaShoah: A Fresh Look at Ein Keloheinu
Yom HaShoah Today is Yom HaShoah – Holocaust Remembrance Day. As I’ve mentioned before, my grandfather was a member of the U.S. armed forces that liberated Germany. Actually, he was both a liberator and a survivor, having escaped Germany as a … Continue reading
The Road Less Traveled
Parashat Beshalach Why does G-d lead the children of Israel to the sea, rather than guiding them down the well-worn highway? Parashat Beshalach is unique in that it begins by telling us what G-d did NOT do. G-d did not … Continue reading
Human Rights Day
Today marks the 64th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Led by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, the chair of the United Nations Human Rights Commission, 48 of the most powerful countries in the world signed … Continue reading
Why Remember?
Parashat Ha’azinu When I call out the name of Hashem, ascribe greatness to our God. The Rock! Perfect is His work; for all His paths are justice; a God of faith without iniquity, righteous and fair is He. Corruption is not … Continue reading
Love, Hate and the Greatest Commandment
Parashat Va’etchanan Why do we read this parasha every year after Tisha B’Av? Thought we were finished with all of the pleading already? This week, we spent a hungry evening on the floor reading Lamentations, remembering the horrific tragedies that … Continue reading
Piles of Dead Quail
Parashat Beha’alotcha Imagine eating the exact same thing every single day. (That’s like forty years of Passover matzah) Now imagine complaining about it. Not just complaining – wailing. Standing outside your front door with your entire family carrying on as … Continue reading
Esther the Superhero
In honor of Purim … a Classic Reprint from Monique! What little girl doesn’t want to wear a Queen Esther costume for Purim? She’s the paragon of our every dream – the beauty of all Jewish beauties, the savior of … Continue reading
A Strange Set of Priorities
Parashat Vayyera Why does Abraham argue with God over the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, but not over abandoning Hagar and Ishmael, or over killing his own son, Isaac? In Parashat Vayyera, Abraham betrays a strange set of personal priorities. … Continue reading