Displaying 1 - 10 of 10
Putting Down Roots: Why Our Jewish Family Needs a Yard Full of Trees
We celebrated the holiday of Tu BiShvat – the “Jewish Arbor Day” – way back in February, and we won’t celebrate it again until January. But no matter: I need to talk about the trees now.
Dedicate Each Hanukkah Candle to a Strong Biblical Woman
Inspired by Kwanzaa, a festival celebrated by many Black Americans in which each day of the holiday (from December 26 – January 1) is dedicated to a different core principle, my family and I dedicate each of the eight nights of Hanukkah to a different value exemplified by a biblical Jewish woman.
Latke Central: 8 Tips for Making the Best Potato Pancakes
Latkes (potato pancakes) are the quintessential culinary treat of Hanukkah. Why do Jews stuff themselves with these fried potato pancakes every winter season?
How Do You Spell Hanukkah?
Because Hanukkah is a Hebrew word, there is no one correct way to translate the spelling of the word into English. So what spelling is best?
Moroccan Sfenj / Yemenite Zalabia (Fried Dough)
Sfenj, deep-fried yeast donuts, are popular in Morocco during Hanukkah; the Yemenite version is called zalabia or zalvyah.
Eight Ways to Make Every Night of Hanukkah Shine
Here are eight wonderful things about Hanukkah, one for each night, that can enhance our celebrations of this beloved holiday.
Camp Recipe: Potato Kugel Cups
If you love potato kugel, you'll really love these bite-sized potato kugel cups!
How to Make Your First Tu BiShvat Seder Meaningful and Fun
As I thought about what would be involved if we did our own Tu BiShvat seder, it seemed interesting and fun. Tasting lots of fruits? Marking a time to appreciate, mindfully and respectfully, trees and the earth? Drinking wines and grape juices? Yes, please.
“Treat the Earth well. It was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children”
The upcoming holiday of Tu BiShvat -- the birthday of the trees - brings back a memory of the American Museum of Natural History in New York. In the museum is an enormous cross-section of a giant sequoia tree. Standing before it is a sublime experience. The cross-section overwhelms you with its sheer size, inspiring questions about the size of the tree it was cut from.
Taking a Breath for Life: the Union for Reform Judaism's Actions to Build Resilience
On Tu Bishvat we celebrated trees and a season of new growth. I've been doing lots of thinking about trees, as I frequently do, and the role they play in providing oxygen for the planet. At the Union of Reform Judaism, we provide oxygen to our communities by creating compassionate spaces for our participants to grow and thrive. We can respond to current and future challenges by fostering resilience that reflect our Jewish values.