Lag BaOmer Is a Time to Connect with Our Ancestors
May 26th will mark the Jewish festival of Lag BaOmer which – like, Shavuot and Hanukkah – is not mentioned in the Torah.
Taking Israel's "Sandwich Police" to Task
Israelis are used to being asked to open up their bags and backpacks for inspection almost wherever they go. When entering supermarkets, malls, bus stations. You name it.
A Playlist for the Omer: The Journey from Liberation to Revelation
We find ourselves in the midst of the Omer, when we count off the days, and weeks, in between Passover and Shavuot. Last week, we celebrated the 33rd day of the Omer: Lag BaOmer. The journey begins with our liberation from Egypt. It concludes with the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai.
Why do Jewish Holidays Begin at Night?
On the Jewish calendar, holidays begin in the evening, at sundown, and they continue through the next day.
What, exactly, is a Haggadah?
The Hebrew word Haggadah means “telling,” and it refers to the service or script for the Passover seder table ritual. The Haggadah provides the order and script of the service with step-by-step instructions.
Blending Tradition and Change Across the Generations
Early on, I learned that not all Jewish observance looks the same. In our global society, Jewish rituals will continue to evolve, giving way to new traditions.
How to Enrich Your Seder with Some (Good) Drama
While others cook and clean for Passover, I write jokes for Moses, Miriam, Pharaoh, and God – so we can add a play to our family’s retelling of the Exodus from Egypt.
Going Green on Passover: One Chef’s Healthy Approach
This Passover, celebrate the cycle of time and nature with an approach to food that protects our environment, prioritizes good health, and lines up with Reform Jewish values.
Empty Chairs and Stained Napkins: A Passover Prayer for Peace
When we gather on April 19 and 20 to mark the first two nights of Passover, we will pray. And we will ask aloud: What makes this year’s seders different from all others
In Every Generation: Four Questions from the Early Days of the Kibbutz
For secular kibbutzniks, the Four Questions let them express ideas about living on a collective, challenges of Zionist settlement, and the state of Jewish life worldwide.