Impress your friends and family with these little-known facts about the Jewish New Year.
Category: Holidays
The Story of Purim
A long time ago in a galaxy not too far away, the Persians would have gotten away if it weren’t for princess Esther… The Germans weren’t the first to try and exterminate the Jews. A long time ago in a…
Arbors and Hope
Tu B’Shevat, the 15th of Shevat is the Jewish Arbor Day in the land of Israel. This year the holiday begins at sundown on Friday, February 10, and lasts through Saturday, February 11. Celebrate like those in Israel with a Seder. …
Balance and Hope
On one side of the freeway, the deep charcoal gray clouds signal the ominous deluge of much-needed rain that will nourish the ultra-dry terrain in Southern California. On the other side of the freeway, the sun sparkles against the tall…
High Holy Days give us time to focus on our deepest feelings
Breathe in the fragrance of round challah and honey cake. Experience the newness of the synagogue décor and the clothing. Hear the shofar and heed its call. The High Holy Days are a treat for the senses, but they are…
Embracing Elul: A Month of Reflection and Renewal
Preparing for the High Holy Days and the Ongoing Journey of Becoming
“Chana” Women in the Bible
Women are not often named in the Bible. In fact the only ones we read about are ones crucial to the story line. What would the Story of Creation be without Eve by Adam’s side yet we do not know…
Talking about Tradition: The Mitzvah of Brit Milah, Circumcision
There are 613 mitzvot that Jews are supposed to keep. Some are positive and some negative. The positive ones equal 248, which also equals the number of bones and vital organs in our body. There are 365 negative commandments, which…
Talking about Tradition: What Happened When, and How Did It Shape Our History?
The People’s Chronology: A Year-by-Year Record of Human Events from Prehistory to the Present by James Trager is truly an amazing 1,206-page book (which is unfortunately out of print). The book, published in 1979, details everything imaginable from 3 million…
The Power of Light: Remember the Real Message of Chanukah
Light means many things to many people. Judaism is replete with references to light, beginning with Creation. It symbolizes hope, as in the promise of the new day. When one speaks of enlightenment, one thinks of wisdom. Lighting the way…