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Purim and Giving: What is Our Obligation?
All of the fun and merriment of the holiday aside, the true obligations of Purim are not fulfilled if we do not help the needy. With all of the partying associated with the holiday, it is easy to focus on our wants and forget about others’ needs.
Every Day is Earth Day: Jewish Holidays and Environmental Justice
Since 1970, the United States has celebrated Earth Day every April. By contrast, ancient Jewish celebrations throughout the year remind us of our responsibility to safeguard the fragile planet God has entrusted to our care. Almost all of our Jewish observances reflect environmental concerns.
Using the Purim Schpiel to Explore Jewish Identity
Luba Proger and Leonid Khanin are a husband-and-wife team who investigate Jewish identity through art. One of their recent projects, is a very non-traditional staging of the traditional Purim schpiel, or story, which celebrates the salvation of the Jews in ancient Persia thanks to the cleverness of Queen Esther and her cousin Mordecai, who prevailed over the evil Haman, who planned to annihilate the Jews.
Celebrating Purim with Shalom Sesame: The Whole Megillah
Watch this Shalom Sesame video with your children to learn about the story of Purim, then try some of the fun discussion ideas and activities recommended by Reform Jewish educators.
Celebrating Purim with Shalom Sesame: Costumes
Together with your children, watch these Shalom Sesame videos to learn about how Purim is celebrated. Then try some of the discussion ideas and activities recommended by Reform Jewish educators to reinforce the lessons in the videos.
Celebrating Purim with Shalom Sesame: Baking Hamantaschen
Enjoy these Shalom Sesame videos with your children and follow up with engaging discussion ideas and activities.
These Days of Awe
It's the children, at first, that inspire awe, the infants now walking, the toddlers talking, the grade schoolers freshly combed and pressed, the high schoolers immense, the college students all but unrecognizable in their newfound sophistication. The brief span of twelve months has metamorphosed them all.
Rosh HaShanah: History
In ancient times, there were four different New Years on the Jewish calendar. Each had a distinct significance.
Rosh HaShanah Customs, Symbols, and Traditions
There are many customs and traditions associated with Rosh HaShanah, the Jewish New Year, a time of prayer, self-reflection and repentance.
Social Action Guide for the High Holidays
The High Holidays are a time of personal reflection and repentance and an opportunity to reaffirm the Jewish tradition’s longstanding commitment to tikkun olam (repair of the world).