Judaism was so unfamiliar to my son that he was wary of my Hanukkah gift. I felt as though, at such a young age, he was choosing to shun my religion, to identify with Christianity. Of course, if he chooses to identify with either religion later in life, that decision will be his own – but for now, I need to at least give Judaism a fighting chance.
So how will I talk about these values with my sons amid all the shiny confetti, slick commercials, rousing music, and fun snacks? Simply put, the Super Bowl compromises my Jewish values, and I want to pass those values along to my kids.
What do we teach our children when we seek entertainment in the spectacle of two human beings each trying to maim the other or render her senseless? And yet, should we be surprised? After all, we live in a country where mass murder occurs on a regular basis.
As the working mom of three kids, a five-year-old and two-and-a-half-year-old twins, most of my week-day mornings go something like this:
Following an impressive festival run, Son of Saul is set to open in a limited theatrical release in the United States on December 18.
“It’s true. All of it: The Dark Side, the Jedi. They’re real.”
These are the first words we hear from Han Solo, the former smuggler and member of the Rebel Alliance, in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
It’s been almost 40 years since the original Star Wars film hit the big screen, but its stories in the theater, books, television, video games, and other media highlight themes that continue to resonate with us today.
In particular, the Star Wars mythology can be understood through a Jewish lens.
Before attending the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbeine’s new production of the Di Goldene Kale (The Golden Bride), I expected to see an ensemble of old-timers on stage. Who else, I thought, can speak Yiddish and act?
To my surprise, the 20-member cast of
Looking for a good book to give your favorite bibliophile this Hanukkah? Staff of the Union for Reform Judaism recommend a few of their favorites, whether classics or new, that would make for great gifts. What would you add to the list?
I used to always joke that I was “Jew-ish” – mostly just the nose and neuroses. Out of fear of being lumped into a category, with all its associated stereotypes and expectations, having a sense of humor about my background was my defense mechanism.
Perhaps it
Together, we will champion the lessons of Passover by bringing greater wholeness, justice, and belonging to our world.