Creating High Holiday Memories for Children
Finding ways to make the High Holidays meaningful for your child is an important way to nurture their Jewish identity. There are many ways to celebrate at home, like reading books, making crafts, or discussing what the holiday means to you and them.
Jewish Pride + Jewish Community = Strong Jewish Future
In North America, our community has been dealing with rising levels of antisemitism and fears about being attacked for the crime of being Jewish. It was against this backdrop that I arrived in the safe haven that is URJ's Crane Lake Camp.
Why is Jewish Summer Camp Important?
Jewish summer camps provide children the opportunity to immerse themselves in Jewish culture, engage in ritual and education, challenge themselves physically and spiritually, and prepare to be leaders in and out of the Jewish community.
Hope and Pride in Be’er Sheva
During Pride Month, I participated in a leaders' trip to Israel through A Wider Bridge, an organization dedicated to connecting LGBTQ+ people in North America and Israel. Around Israel, pride events this year focused on calls to free the hostages, support the hundreds of thousands of displaced people, and reach a meaningful ceasefire.
From Teacher to Student: A B'Nai Mitzvah Comedy
"Between the Temples," a new film directed by Nathan Silver, is a coming-of-age tale that shows people in any stage of life can rediscover innocence and wonder.
My Father’s Tallit
As a child snoop, I was well acquainted with the contents of my parents’ dresser drawers. This came in handy often, like the night before a trip when my mom panicked because she couldn’t find her passport.
The Power of KosherSoul: Exploring Black-Jewish Cuisines
Food has the unique ability to bring people together. Michael Twitty's concept of fusing Jewish and African Atlantic diasporic cuisines is compelling. Twitty’s fusion, dubbed “KosherSoul,” touches on how food informs memory and identity.
Impacting Camp, Connecting with Israel After October 7th
Every year, URJ Camps host Israeli counselors as a way to strengthen our young people’s connection to the land and culture of Israel. This summer, this initiative took on even more meaning in the wake of the October 7th attacks.
Journey from Poland to Israel
When I was 15 years old, I was a participant in Heller High (EIE at that time) and journeyed to Poland and Israel with my group. Twelve years later, I can confirm that this experience shaped my identity and is a memory I carry close to my heart.
The Torah In Haiku: D’varim
The Torah In Haiku.
