"The Clinton-Mezvinsky wedding is a perfect expression of the emerging American religious and social landscape in which one's inherited group identity bears little or no significance on one's marriage. As a consequence of the unprecedented freedom we enjoy to cross boundaries that even a generation ago would have been taboo, the majority of Americans, including more than 80 percent of those under 30 years of age, accept marriage across all types of boundaries, including ethnic and racial...."

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From Irwin Kula’s blog on The Huffington Post

Rabbi Kula participates in a panel devoted to exploring how goal setting and creativity can help one to move through pain.

Scroll to 7/23/10 to Listen...

From Blog TalK Radio program, Gab With The Gurus

In Central Europe today Budapest has the largest Jewish community, with 22 synagogues and prayer houses, secondary schools, a hospital, and two homes for the elderly. But what does it mean to be Jewish living in this historic city and how has the community fared?

"...‘Compassionate leadership is leadership that is always learning from the side they disagree with,’ Kula said. ‘So how does one bring together openness and deep commitment (to one’s personal views)?’....
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By Laura McCrystal from The Chautauquan Daily, 7/9/10

"I imagine myself home sometime soon.
The key sticks a bit in the lock.
My parents are gone.
The clock on the fireplace mantel
clicks away the seconds...."

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By Janet R. Kirchheimer from 92nd St Y’s Podium

When we remember the past, is it in ways that are painful and stop us from moving forward, or do we take those lessons and use them to find greater meaning and purpose in life? The Triumphant Spirit, a piercingly beautiful book of photographs and personal stories of survivors, looks at that question again and again, always affirming life, creating hope, and celebrating the human spirit. Newly released and reprinted by Clal in partnership with acclaimed photojournalist Nick Del Calzo, the book challenges us to remember one of the darkest times in history while embracing the future.

"Rabbi Irwin Kula, a leading thinker in the field of religious pluralism, shares his insights about the effects and causes of unemployment in religious institutions and communities...[Kula says} ‘It turns out the existing religious, synagogue/church business model is not going to be sustainable. We’re going to have closures like GM dealerships over the next decade.’"

"More than 100 gay and lesbian Jewish leaders recently wrapped up a meeting in Berkeley, Calif., to develop a unified agenda for gay rights within American Judaism. Rabbi Steven Greenberg, who's often called the first openly gay Orthodox rabbi, was among them...."

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By Nicole Neroulias from Religion News Service published on The Huffington Post

On July 9, Rabbi Irwin Kula will be the closing keynote speaker at the renowned Chautauqua Institution, during their week long lecture series on the intersection of religion and ethical leadership. The program will focus on the search for the essence of ethical leadership and its social relevance in the religious community.

Brad Hirschfield talks with Barry Farber on a variety of subjects—from the passing of Sen. Byrd to the 60th anniversary of Korean War to the Middle East.

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The Barry Farber Show, CRN
Scroll down to 6/28/10