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Jewish Stories to Curl Up with This Winter

Alex Graaff
A truly cozy read, in my opinion, is defined by its ability to keep me present. As the definition of cozy reading is subjective, I've compiled a list of Jewish cozy reads spanning a few genres. Wrap yourself up in your favorite blanket, turn the kettle on, and let's get started.

10 Yiddish Words and Phrases to Love

Ellie Rudee
In recent years, Yiddish has experienced a remarkable resurgence. Whether you're reconnecting with your heritage or exploring linguistic quirks, Yiddish offers rich expressions to spice up conversations. Here are 10 phrases you should know and use to participate in the Yiddish resurgence.

For Some of Us the Holidays Are Just…Hard

Jaimie Green
As we head into the holiday season, I am acutely aware of how much different this year is going to be than previous ones. I will be celebrating without my mom for the first time. My mother died in January 2021, and I'm still dealing with the unexpected waves of grief that wash over me, sometimes out of nowhere. As I head into this first winter holiday season without her, I'm not quite sure I know what to expect, other than everything is going to be very different.

Enjoy A Crockpot Shabbat

Crystal Hill
As the weather begins to get chillier, many home cooks pull out their trusty slow cookers to create easy yet warm dishes. Slow cooking is nothing new. It hasn't had staying power with Jewish communities just because the resulting food is delicious; it also allowed observant Jews to keep Shabbat by kindling a fire before sundown on Friday and keeping food warm until Saturday afternoon.

The Cost of Free Land

Rebecca Clarren
When I was a child growing up in the 1980s, the story I learned about Thanksgiving followed the classic script: it highlighted amity between the Pilgrims and their Indigenous neighbors. Due to this connection, the hunger of the European settlers was met with squash and turkey.

Putting the “Serve” Back in "Deserve"

Cantor David Frommer
As the Jewish community grapples with fears of our eroding security in post-10/7 America, nobody wants to consider the question of whether we have enjoyed that security up to this point by right or by debt.

Is it Okay to Seek Joy?

Phyllis Freedman
In "Seeking Joy," on view at the Heller Museum at HUC-JIR/New York through June 26, 2025, over 50 artists share moments of happiness they have experienced.