Rabbi’s new book offers spiritual boot camp for High Holidays
In the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, Rabbi Mark Wildes, founder and director of Manhattan Jewish Experience (MJE), was looking for ways to keep students and young adults engaged with Judaism and each...
How to THINk THIN for Shavuot
SAN DIEGO — Ahh, Shavuot is soon upon us. With its extended synagogue services, special readings including the story of Ruth and the 10 Commandments among others, Tikkun Leil Shavuot –the practice of staying...
10 calamities that took place on the Jewish fast day of Tisha B’Av
Judaism is mainly a religion of rejoicing and, but occasionally there are sad days too. Monday night sees the start of the saddest day of the Jewish calendar, known in Hebrew as Tisha B'Av...
Thousands of Ethiopian Jews gather in Jerusalem for Sigd
Thousands of Ethiopian Jews gathered in Jerusalem Thursday to celebrate the festival of Sigd, marking the community’s centuries-old aspirations to return to the holy city.
On a sunny, warm winter’s day, busloads of people came...
Children with special needs receive Hanukkah winter gifts from Friendship Circle
As her car pulled up to a stop at the door at LifeTown, Sharon Stoch rolled down her window and greeted the teen volunteers, who disappeared back into the building. From the backseat, her son,...
Sukkot guide to help those at home celebrate holiday
Along with spending time in the sukkah and waving the “Four Species” or “Four Kinds” (etrog, lulav, arava and hadass) a central observance of the holiday of Sukkot is holding festive evening-time celebrations.
Known as Simchat Beit Hashoeva, they harken back to the...
This Passover season, stress the seasonings
Passover is just a few weeks away; there are signs of it everywhere. Kosher-for-Passover products are prominently displayed in major supermarkets. This year, especially, traditional dishes can be flavored and spiked with never-before-available kosher-for-Passover...
Sephardic envy at Passover time
Passover is here, and I am triggered. Every Ashkenazi Jew gets a little Sephardic-envy this time of year thinking about all the rice our fellow Jews will be eating while we suffer through a kitniyot lockdown....
Canadian mail gets a little brighter this Hanukkah
Canadians hoping to add a little Hanukkah decor to their envelopes or gift packages this year are in luck, as Canada Post has issued a new holiday stamp to its roster this year.
The new...
‘Shut-in’ Shavuot in time of corona
We’re masked, gloved and social distancing. I’ve exhausted all programs I want to see on Netflix. I’ve filled garbage bags with clothes that are too small, packed up old books and gone through drawers...