Jewish Holidays
A Hole in the Jewish Calendar
After the flurry of Jewish holidays in the fall, it’s no wonder that the month of Cheshvan, which follows on the heels of Sukkot, is devoid of Jewish holidays. But in... Read More »
The Official Jewish Mother’s Day
After the back to back celebrations in the Jewish month of Tishrei, many Jews look forward to a break in the month of Cheshvan, which is the only Jewish month... Read More »
Even Our “Temporary” Home is Different
וְשָׂמַחְתָּ בְּחַגֶּךָ… וְהָיִיתָ אַךְ שָׂמֵחַ V’Samachta b’chagecha…vehayita ach sameach And you shall rejoice in your Festival…and you will only be happy (Devarim 16: 14-15) The first year after a loss... Read More »
PSA: Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning Warning for Rosh Hashanah
While we approach this year’s High Holidays with a sense of awe, our thoughts should also be turned to safe practice. Daisy-chaining power strips together, letting our smoke and CO... Read More »
Pre-Rosh Hashanah Jewish Social Media Round-Up
I always find it interesting to look at which stories are popular in the Jewish social media world. Admittedly, this is not a scientific study. Instead, I rely on my... Read More »
The Symbolism of a Diamond Dreidel
Last Monday, Mervis Diamond Importers unveiled the world first ever Diamond Dreidel. When I saw this piece of Judaica, I first thought about what a Dreidel meant to me, followed... Read More »
Welcome Sadness
I used to hate Tisha B’Av. I hated its sadness and discomfort. I must be getting older because now I long for it to begin. A friend of mine died... Read More »
Soapbox Hobo
You’ve probably seen him more often in TV, Movies and other visual media than you have on the street where he belongs. He’s the guy with the sign that says:... Read More »
Don’t Eat a Peach or Raisins and Almonds because Carrot Juice is Murder
We are on the approach to the Pentecost, also known as Shavuot. On the holiday of Shavuot there is a well known custom not to eat any meat. There is... Read More »
Frivolous Holocaust Analogies, Update
On the eve of Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) I feel it necessary to keep up the crusade against those who resort to petty, simplistic Holocaust comparisons in an attempt... Read More »
On The Brink, And Just Barely Being Held Back….And By What?
The first sociological experiment was done by a French Jew named Emile Durkheim. Durkheim wanted to prove that the one thing that everyone was SURE was psychological was in fact... Read More »
It’s Official: Israel Bombed Syrian Nuclear Reactor
US officials just confirmed what has already been widely reported since it happened in September: that Israel bombed a Syrian nuclear reactor which was being built with help from North... Read More »
FreeTheSoldier – Gone Viral
A few days ago, I noticed a posting by a friend on Facebook about a free download for the United Jewish Communities (UJC): FreeTheSoldiers. Just as in years past, prayers... Read More »
The Limits of Freedom
At the Seder we ask a myriad of questions. We are fortunate to have answers for most of our questions. One question however, has two seemingly contradictory answers. In the... Read More »
Dvar Torah Fodder for the Seders
Most people who read this website are probably also scurrying to clean their houses for Passover (leaven be gone!) and searching high and low for divrei torah for the Seders.... Read More »
If Purim Were Today OR: Purim in 2008
If Purim Were Today A Spiel by (some of) the 4th Grade Students of the Congregation Beth El Religious School in Bethesda, Maryland President Achashverosh – Vice President Haman –... Read More »
The ABC’s of Kosher Wine F-K : So You Like It Cheap
So maybe you’re not looking for a wine that requires you to open it a half hour before you drink it. Maybe you just want something cheap and easy that... Read More »
Being a Heretic, or, How to Disagree With the Talmud
This is the third in a series of articles promoting the idea that people should feel free to come up with their own ways of interpreting biblical verses and Talmudic... Read More »
Esther vs. Kermit: Is it Easy Being Green?
It’s not Easy Being Green (Lyrics : Joe Raposo) (sung by Kermit) It’s not that easy bein’ green; Having to spend each day the color of the leaves. When I... Read More »
