Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg, Author at JMORE

Open to Interpretation

by Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg | Sep 12, 2019 | Community, Religion, Spirituality

The High Holy Day season offers us several potent images and metaphors. The shofar, the ram, apples and honey, white clothing and Torah finery all feature prominently this time of year. Another compelling image is that of gates, specifically the gates of heaven...

Underpinnings of Justice

by Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg | Jul 12, 2019 | Community, Religion, Spirituality

By reinforcing the foundations of communities, great social justice achievements can be celebrated. One of the things they don’t train you for in rabbinical school is building construction. But as Beth Am’s major renovations have progressed, I’ve come to learn much...

Softening the Boundaries

by Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg | May 3, 2019 | Community, Religion, Spirituality

It seems seams are better than borders on the path to Baltimore’s salvation. “I don’t go below Northern Parkway.” It’s a statement and/or sentiment I’ve heard numerous times from some Jewish residents of Baltimore County. Northern Parkway is what visionary author Jane...

Transforming the Core

by Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg | Mar 16, 2019 | Children, Community, Community Resources, Family, Religion, Spirituality

Community-building is a never-ending concept. The other day, I was walking my dog through the Reservoir Hill neighborhood. I crossed through German Park, our community playground, and found a father pushing his baby on the infant swings. I smiled. I couldn’t help...

Communication in the Digital Age Doesn’t Always Inspire ‘Just’ Speech

by Rabbi Daniel Cotzin Burg | Feb 1, 2019 | Community, Community Resources, Religion

The great satirist Tom Lehrer said, “… One problem that recurs more and more frequently these days, in books and plays and movies, is the inability of people to communicate with the people they love. … And the characters in these books and plays and so on, and in real...