What's New
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Best Jewish Films of 2021
December 27, 2021
As 2021 draws to a close, it's a good time to reflect on the year in Jewish film and highlight six worthy of your attention. Two of the films here are from first-time filmmakers, another pair are Holocaust documentaries, and the final duo draw their tales from the past. Here is my list of the best Jewish films released in the U.S. in 2021.
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Becoming Dr. Ruth
December 17, 2021
"Becoming Dr. Ruth" carefully and quite literally unpacks the turbulent early years of Dr. Ruth Westheimer -- Holocaust survivor, single mother, and eventual superstar sex therapist. At the same time, this one-woman show starring Tovah Feldshuh celebrates the possibilities of America, while never quite letting go of the past.
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Film Review: Love It Was Not
November 1, 2021
Fresh off a nomination for best documentary at the Ophir Awards, the Israeli equivalent of the Oscars, Maya Sarfaty's new film, Love It Was Not, brings to American audiences the real-life tale of a love affair between a Jewish prisoner and her Nazi SS officer.
The Jewish Summer Camp Experience
Jewish Camp
Reform Jewish summer camps fuse the activities, friendships, and communal life of traditional camps with the Jewish values, role models and culture our shared heritage. This uniquely immersive experience provides a confidence-building opportunity in which campers experience joy and discovery in a communal Jewish setting.
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Find a Congregation Near You
Find connection, community, learning, and spirituality at a welcoming Reform congregation near you.
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Arts, Culture & Travel
Museums to Visit in Jerusalem
With sites like the Western Wall and the Old City, it can often feel like Jerusalem itself is a museum campus. While you're busy exploring the beautiful and historic sites the city has to offer, don't forget to check out the fantastic museums that reside there as well.
Judaism Under Quarantine
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What It's Like to Live on an Israeli Kibbutz in a Global Pandemic
As a family mediator and the parent of four children, I have found comfort and logic in the kibbutz response to this crisis – a laser focus on the responsibility to its members.
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Gevurot (Mighty Deeds) in a Time of Pandemic
Source of All Life Daily Your Jewish Children Praise You and Your Mighty Deeds We call you: Matir Asurim The One who Releases the Imprisoned Someich Noflim The One Who Lifts up the Fallen Rofei Ha-Cholim The One Who Heals the Sick We trust You keep faith with those who sleep in the dust And now
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What's Real about a Virtual Shabbat Service?
Frankly, I was skeptical about attending services online – but it was the occasion of the yahrzeit (anniversary of death) for my wife’s brother, and this was our only option for respecting her wish to recite the Mourner’s Kaddish with our Jewish community.
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Jewish Insight for Consoling and Congratulating the Class of 2020
For our students, the loss of their end-of-year plans and graduation festivities is indeed a very real loss – and we should recognize it as one. I’m reminded of a powerful anecdote in Martin Buber’s Tales of the Hasidim.
College Life
Jewish Work, Volunteer, and Travel Opportunities for College Students
There are dozens of opportunities in the Reform Movement for college students to live, learn, work, volunteer, and experience Jewish community-building throughout the world.
Family Activities
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Challah Covers
Let your kids go wild! They'll be so proud to see their challah cover on their Shabbat table - and these make for an excellent grandparent gift.
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Beeswax Candles for Shabbat and Havdalah
Try this beeswax candle activity with your family.
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3 Ways to Bring Shabbat Home
Shabbat is the Jewish holiday that comes each week. Its roots lie in the biblical story of creation when, in order to complete the work of creating the world, God rested on the seventh day
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Teach Your Children the Mitzvot of Shabbat
With your children, generate ideas and family activities that will fulfill these four mitzvot. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Food & Recipes
Discover food and both traditional and new recipes integral to Jewish culture.
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Book Reviews
Whistle: A New Gotham City Hero
Outraged by the social inequities in her neighborhood of Down River, 16-year-old Willow Zimmerman, a Jewish high school student, devotes her free time pursuing tikkun olam.
Cakes and Miracles: A Purim Tale
Even though Hershel can no longer see, he remembers what things looked like before he lost his sight - and creates beautiful shapes from his mother’s hamentashen dough. His cookies earn him a compliment and a possible future job from the town baker.