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“Homeshuling” Under Quarantine: Fun Jewish Videos for Virtual Learning
Do you know about all the great Jewish educational videos available from our partners at BimBam? Here are a few ideas for “homeshuling” your kids during this time.
Greening Your Congregation as One Way to Make It Holy
When a group of us – congregants from University Synagogue in Los Angeles, CA – attended the Consultation on Conscience a few years ago, we learned about the GreenFaith Energy Shield, a program that encourages faith communities to reduce their carbon footprint. We returned home ready to put our faith into action.
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
Celebrating Passover with Shalom Sesame: The Story of the Exodus
The Passover story - the Jewish people's enslavement in Egypt and subsequent exodus - is re-enacted each year at the seder table. Part of what is so unique about this experience is that each family, and each person, is supposed to find relevance and personal connections to the Passover story.
Galilee Diary: Spring festival
by Marc Rosenstein
(Originally published in Galilee Diary and Ten Minutes of Torah)
Some of My Favorite Seder Guests
More than 68 percent of Jewish Americans over the age of 18, according to a survey conducted by the Public Religion Research Institute in 2012, celebrate a Passover seder.
Celebrate Tu Bishvat with Shalom Sesame: Honoring the Trees
Watch these Shalom Sesame videos with your children to learn about Tu Bishvat, then try some of the fun discussion ideas and activities recommended by Reform Jewish educators.
Every Day is Earth Day: Jewish Holidays and Environmental Justice
Since 1970, the United States has celebrated Earth Day every April. By contrast, ancient Jewish celebrations throughout the year remind us of our responsibility to safeguard the fragile planet God has entrusted to our care. Almost all of our Jewish observances reflect environmental concerns.
Preparing for Passover: A Resource Roundup for a Satisfying Seder
Passover is soon approaching! Below are some of our favorite Passover resources, selected to help your seder preparations go more smoothly.