The year 1840 was a turning point: the Industrial Revolution peaked, the Damascus Affair sparked Jewish unity, and modernity opened new paths for enlightenment. Mystics called it the moment that “the gates of wisdom would open.” For us, 1840 is a symbol of how global upheaval can lead to a reimagined world. Today, we face another “1840 moment”—troubled by tech disruption, mental health crises, and declining faith—that calls for bold questions, timeless sensitivity, and modern sensibilities. That’s what 18Forty is here to explore.
I’m eight years old, and I push open the heavy front door of my grandparent’s house and squint into the darkness of…
There’s a common phrase amongst observant Jewish families: “off the derech,” or “OTD” for short. It describes an individual who has deviated…
A recent Yom Kippur sermon from Rabbi Ammi Hirsch has caused quite a stir in both observant and Reform Jewish communities. In…
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