Jewish Stories to Curl Up with This Winter
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
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
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
Slow cooking is nothing new. The Sephardi stew adefina dates back to the Spanish Inquisition, and cholent (another Shabbat stew) is thought to also have roots in Spain.
The Cost of Free Land
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.
Ten Things We Say When We Talk About Antisemitism
Jews have had thousands of conversations about antisemitism over the past years, especially after October 7th. The following list summarizes the ideas that arise most often in these discussions.
Putting the “Serve” Back in "Deserve"
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.
What Pregnancy Taught Me About Being a Cantor
Singing during pregnancy is not without challenges, to say the least. Our bodies go through an amazing transformation during pregnancy, and many of them affect the voice.
Kinship in Crisis in Jesse Eisenberg's New Movie
Fresh off winning an Emmy for his portrayal of Roman Roy in the hit HBO series "Succession," Kieran Culkin finds himself playing another motormouthed man child at the center of Jesse Eisenberg's "A Real Pain."
Is it Okay to Seek Joy?
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.