Hanukkah: From Battleground to Festival of Lights
The Hebrew word Hanukkah means “dedication” and refers to the joyous eight-day celebration through which Jews commemorate the victory of the Maccabees over the armies of Syria in 165 B.C.E. and the subsequent liberation and “rededication” of the Temple in Jerusalem.
A Blessing for Tu BiShvat
We who have become cynical,
Hard shelled,
Whom life has raised its tough first
Of despair and
Disappointment and heartache
And grief,
We who have learned to protect our souls
And toughen our hearts
To avoid more anguish
To stop the flow of tears
Tu BiSh'vat: A Time to Celebrate Environmental Justice
There are many reasons to celebrate Tu BiSh’vat this year, as this has been an exciting year for environmental justice.
Shehecheyanu
Recite this blessing the first time you do something each Jewish calendar year (e.g., the first night of Hanukkah when you light the menorah), and to mark joyous occasions.
This Hanukkah, Bring the (Edible) Shtetl to Life for Teens
When teens at a regional NFTY event ask when you are going to repeat the program they just attended, you must be doing something right. Coming out of the program, it was clear that they were happy – happy because they were fully engaged, had fun, and because along the way, they learned something about themselves, their peers, their identity and their heritage.
"Manna Sandwiches" and the Jewishness of Experimenting with Recipes
There is something very Jewish about the way I use cookbooks, and the way I use Jewish cookbooks, in particular.
Ma’oz Tzur for Pittsburgh
Coming so soon after the massive trauma in Pittsburgh, how would Hanukkah be felt in the hearts and spirits of the people there?
Is This Real Life? A "Bohemian Rhapsody" Hanukkah Parody
A cappella music-makers Six13 are back with their new Hanukkah parody song, a very Jewish riff on Queen's iconic "Bohemian Rhapsody."