The Torah of Voting - Even When Election Day Falls on a Jewish Holiday
This year, Canada’s federal election will take place on October 21, at the same time as the holidays of Sh’mini Atzeret and Simchat Torah.
When You Just Don’t Feel Joyful on Simchat Torah, Remember...
With every seemingly worse piece of bad news littering our social media feeds and our news cycles and in the streets right before our very eyes, it’s fair to wonder: What if we simply can’t be happy, even when we’re commanded to? What if you just don’t feel like dancing?
The Joy of Celebrating Hanukkah on a Cruise Ship
Last year, our family took a cruise during Hanukkah. The nightly candle lighting brought together so many people and different kinds of “Jewish” into one community.
Hanukkah in Israel: Donuts, Candles, and, Yes, Religious Freedom
In Israel, everyone seemingly is in a good mood during Hanukkah. Of course, it’s impossible to be in a bad mood while eating sufganiyot (jelly donuts).
Like the Maccabee Brothers, We Can All Be Leaders
Our tradition tells of the great leader, Judah Maccabee. But what of his brothers? What do we know about them – the quiet leaders who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with him?
How I Teach My Kids That Being Jewish is Awesome and Awe-Filled
Last year, my pre-school-aged daughter was acutely aware that her friends and their families would be celebrating Christmas and that she wasn’t going to be a part of it.
How to Help Young Children Embrace the Spirit of Hanukkah
A Holiday Travelogue: 9 Hanukkah Customs From Around the World
What Female Scribes Can Teach Us about Transmitting Torah
Reflecting on Simchat Torah
Thanks to social media and electronic devices you can check in on Foursquare and read the Mishkan T'filah prayer book on a handheld device at the same time. Yet for all the modern inventions, the Torah remains unaffected.