Category Archives: freedom of speech

Bravo John Roberts

Posted on March 9, 2011 by jyourist

Let’s hear it for the latest decision of the Supreme Court. I never thought I would be saying this about a Robert’s Court decision, but miracles do happen. Earlier this year, the Westboro Baptist Church protested at our High Holiday … Continue reading →

Posted in freedom of speech, Supreme Court | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

In the glow of protest, full of hope and possibilities (*Edited)

Posted on February 1, 2011 by jyourist

I can’t help but feel spirited support for the protests that are going on in Egypt right now. The diverse voices (at least for Egypt diverse) in Tahrir Square in Cairo, and in many other cities in Egypt, demanding political … Continue reading →

Posted in activism, democracy, freedom of speech, politics, transformation | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Reaching for the “better angels of our nature”

Posted on January 13, 2011 by jyourist

President Obama’s speech at the Tucson Memorial Service:

Posted in centering, compassion, death, democracy, freedom of speech, peace, politics, transformation | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Stuff your eyes with wonder…”

Posted on December 16, 2010 by jyourist

I don’t know if there is an actual written law about needing to get rid of the Constitution tests that the students take, but we don’t give them back to them. I guess this is done because next year’s students … Continue reading →

Posted in Bradbury, Constitution, creativity, freedom of speech, school, Teaching, transformation | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Where is Charlton Heston when you really need him?

Posted on November 10, 2010 by jyourist

Today I broke my 8th grade students into pairs and each pair examined a different Supreme Court case that had to do with the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion…” … Continue reading →

Posted in Constitution, freedom of speech, school, Supreme Court, Teaching | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Freedom of Speech

Posted on October 7, 2010 by jyourist

Imagine my surprise going to school yesterday and hearing that the Westboro Baptist Church, the group that protested outside our house of worship this last Rosh Hashannah (Shofar Blows), was arguing a case before the Supreme Court today (Phelps v … Continue reading →

Posted in freedom of speech, Supreme Court | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Shofar blows

Posted on September 11, 2010 by jyourist

Rosh Hashanah…the New Year, the birth of the world, a joyous celebration. On Tuesday, members of my congregation received the following email from our rabbi: [We] have just received the very upsetting news that members of Westboro Baptist Church will … Continue reading →

Posted in freedom of speech, Judaism, sacred | Tagged , , | 7 Comments