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Schindler’s List: Separating Truth from Fiction
In 2017, the 25th anniversary re-release of Steven Spielberg’s Schindler’s List reignited both criticism and praise for the Oscar-winning film. A story in the Forward titled “What’s Wrong with ‘Schindler’s List?’ Kind of a Lot” revived the main complaint of the movie’s detractors.
What Holocaust Survivors Can Teach Us About Overcoming Trauma
When Holocaust survivors tried to tell their stories, most people – even therapists – would not listen to or believe them. The consequences have been multigenerational.
7 Ideas for Observing Yom HaShoah from Home
Here are just a few of the many stories, prayers, and other resources to help you commemorate this solemn holiday.
Tu BiShvat Activities to Do at Home
The Jewish New Year of the Trees, or Tu BiSh’vat, lends itself to many home observations and activities. Here are some ideas for crafts, planting, quiet activities, and more.
Tu BiShvat: Customs and Rituals
The Jewish mystics of the 17th century, the Kabbalists, created a special ritual—modeled after the Passover seder—to celebrate God's presence in nature. Today in modern Israel, Tu BiShvat has become a national holiday, a tree planting festivaTu BiShvat is not mentioned in the Torah. Scholars believe the holiday was originally an agricultural festival, corresponding to the beginning of spring in Israel. But a critical historical event helped Tu BiShvat evolve from a simple celebration of spring to a commemoration of our connection to the land of Israel. After the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 C.E. and the exile that followed, many of the exiled Jews felt a need to bind themselves symbolically to their former homeland. Tu BiShvat served in part to fill that spiritual need. Jews used this time each year to eat a variety of fruits and nuts that could be obtained from Israel. The practice, a sort of physical association with the land, continued for many centuries.l for both Israelis and Jews throughout the world
Tu BiShvat: History
Although the celebration of Tu BiShvat has a long and varied history, the theme most commonly ascribed to the holiday today is the environment.
Yom HaShoah Social Justice Guide
Here are some ways to incorporate social justice themes into your Yom HaShoah observance.
Have a Tu BiShvat Seder
You may have heard of a Passover seder, but did you know that many people celebrate Tu BiShvat with seders also? Learn about how to host your own Tu BiShvat seder.
What are the Seven Species?
Wheat, barley, grape, fig, pomegranate, olive, and date. Collectively they are known as the sheva minim, the seven species of sacred fruits and grains grown in the Land of Israel.
The Holocaust (Shoah)
The Shoah (also known as the Holocaust, from a Greek word meaning "sacrifice by fire,") was initiated by the members of the National Socialist (Nazi) Party, which seized power in Germany in 1933.