Tag: Jewish & Israeli Holidays
Knesset members gift Purim baskets ahead of joyous Jewish holiday
Israeli lawmakers from the coalition and opposition exchanged mishloach manot, gift baskets filled with food, on Thursday ahead of the Purim holiday, for which celebrations started on Thursday.
National Unity Party Chairman Benny Gantz, a former War Cabinet...
Chanukah over Syria
This Chanukah, menorahs will be lit not only in the land of Israel, from Jerusalem to Gaza, but in Lebanon and on the heights of Mount Hermon overlooking Syria. Vacationing families will visit the...
Miracles then and now
Would you believe that it took a whole year for Chanukah to be recognized as a bona fide Jewish festival?
But it’s true. Here’s a quote straight out of the Talmud in Shabbos (21a). After...
Ben-Gvir makes Chanukah trip to Temple Mount
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the Temple Mount in Jerusalem on Thursday morning to pray for Israel's soldiers and the hostages in Gaza.
"This morning, I ascended to the site of our Holy Temple...
Being Jewish at Christmas: Embracing the spirit of the season
As the holiday season unfolds, there’s an undeniable magic in the air. Twinkling lights line the streets, carols ring out from speakers in stores, and an unmistakable warmth fills the chill of December. For...
Tactical menorahs: A new first for the IDF Rabbinate
Under the shadow of the war in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon and Syria, the Israel Defense Forces are preparing for the holiday of Chanukah.
In the past few weeks, the IDF Rabbinate worked to distribute...
Progressives ‘celebrating’ Chanukah
This year’s first Chanukah candle will be lit on the evening of Wednesday, Dec. 25, in a remarkable ecumenical link-up of Christmas festivities and the Jewish celebration of candles and latkes, sufganiyot and the singing of...
A rabbi’s Christmas wishes
To date, I have experienced more than 70 Christmas seasons in my lifetime. having spent all the previous ones as an “outsider.” I admit to a life-long appreciation of the Yule season’s message and...
Heart and soul
Does it always rain on Sukkot, where you live? Here in South Africa, the farmers say as soon as the Jews put up their booths, the rains will come.
Besides the sukkah itself, on this...
Bubbe and Zayde: Now’s the time to teach ‘di kinder’ a thing or two
“I don’t live in the past but the past lives in me.” — Sol Fineblum
For Gershon Markowitz, this time of year presents an irresistible opportunity to engage in some of his favorite activities with...