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Rabbi Marc Baker
Rabbi Marc Baker leads CJP's mission to strengthen Jewish life and build community across Greater Boston. His biweekly reflections offer insights on philanthropy, community building, and Jewish values in action. He has served in Jewish communal leadership for over two decades, focusing on innovation in community care and sustainable impact.
Articles by author
May 14, 2026
Grief and Resilience After October 7
Dear Friends, These past two weeks, like these past almost five months, have been an emotional rollercoaster. I returned Sunday from my second trip to Israel since October 7, the fourth CJP solidarity..
May 14, 2026
The Origin Story of Jewish Federations
Dear Friends, I think the idea of a Jewish Federation began thousands of years ago, in this week’s Torah portion. To explain the concept of a Jewish Federation, I often begin with CJP’s origin story a..
May 14, 2026
Unity, Diversity, and Shared Purpose
Dear Friends, What makes a community worthy of standing at Mount Sinai, hearing the voice of God, and receiving the Torah? That is the question I ask myself nearly every day, especially when I read th..
May 14, 2026
MLK's Legacy and the Fight for the Hostages
Dear Friends, This week we remembered and celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In a time of profound brokenness, it is not clear whether the moral universe is bending, as Dr. King taught, toward jus..
May 14, 2026
Hope and the Great Mistranslation: A Message for the New Year
Dear Friends, “I know this might sound weird, but does any of this give you hope for the future?” A friend and I were talking about the war in Israel, the uptick in antisemitism here in America, threa..
May 14, 2026
The Jewish Value of Mutual Responsibility
Dear Friends, This Shabbat, we read the penultimate Torah portion of the Book of Genesis and the dramatic conclusion of the story of Joseph. During Judah’s impassioned speech pleading for his brother ..
May 13, 2026
Hanukkah and the Resilience of the Jewish Spirit
Dear Friends, I cannot think of a time when Hanukkah has felt more relevant than it does this year. It has been an incredibly challenging past few months, for Israel and the Jewish People. Yet, Hanukk..
May 13, 2026
We Cannot Rest Until Every Hostage Comes Home
Dear Friends, Last Friday, I held my breath as I waited for the first round of hostages in Gaza to be released. Until the very last minute, it was unclear whether it would happen and who would be incl..
May 13, 2026
Sukkot, Jewish Unity, and the Search for Joyful Community
Dear Friends, As we begin this new year, our beloved Israel continues to wrestle with its deep social and political challenges. This has been illustrated most poignantly by the continuing judicial ove..
May 13, 2026
Rosh Hashanah 5784: Gratitude and Hope for the Year Ahead
Dear Friends, The High Holiday season is a time to reflect on the past year and look forward to the year ahead. It’s a time for introspection and a chance to recommit ourselves to the lives we aspire ..