Rosh Chodesh
Literally, “head of the month.” Rosh Chodesh marks the beginning of each Hebrew month when there is a new moon (when there is no moon visible in the sky).
Swiss Chard, Potato and Cheese Gratin
Served piping hot, this dish makes a wholesome light family meal.
L’shanah tovah
Literally, “for a good year.” This is a customary greeting for Rosh HaShanah. Also, “shanah tovah.”
Yamim Noraim
"Days of Awe." An alternate name for the High Holidays, and the 10-day period beginning with Rosh HaShanah and concluding with Yom Kippur.
T’kiah g’dolah
Literally the “great” t’kiah, this is the longest, deepest call of the shofar heard as the final shofar blast on Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur.
How a Rare Jewish Ritual Added Meaning to Our Family
When our son was born, we put a modern spin on the rare tradition of pidyon haben, using the ceremony as one way to welcome him to the Jewish community.
Attending L'Taken inspired me to run for - and win - a seat on my local board of education
Despite growing up in a Jewish household, it was not until high school that my Judaism really shaped my life’s path.
I Ran for a Seat on My Local School Board... While I Was Still in High School
When my term as youth group president ended, I was not ready to stop my social action and community building efforts, so I decided to run for the local board of education.
The Jewish Moral Virtues and The Book of Jewish Values, by Eugene B. Borowitz, Frances Weinman Schwartz, and Rabbi Joseph Telushkin
A New Moment to Come Together Against Islamophobia
This week, the Jewish community celebrates Rosh Chodesh Tammuz, a holy day that continues through today.* While we in the Jewish community are celebrating a new month, the Muslim community is observing Eid al-Fitr, one of two Muslim festival holidays commemorating the end of the holy month of Ramadan and the beginning of the month of Shawwal.
This confluence of celebrations is bound to happen because both Judaism and Islam follow a lunar calendar. But even the fundamental fact that both faith traditions follow a lunar calendar is an important reminder that we have more in common than what makes us different. The coinciding holidays remind us to celebrate the similarities of our faith traditions, exploring the values, teachings, or practices that unite us.