Habari Gani? How My Family is Melding Kwanzaa and Hanukkah Customs
How One Family Reclaimed its Jewish Heritage
We are fortunate that Reform Judaism makes it possible for us to embrace all who step into Jewish life and endeavor to create sacred space for those they love.
Hanukkah Reconsidered: A Split in the Jewish Soul
I grew up loving this holiday – until I learned the dark side and felt like a kid discovering that there’s no Santa Claus. It turns out Hanukkah is, in part, a tale of Jew vs. Jew.
Reclaiming the Public Square with Hanukkah Lights
According to Rashi, we light Hanukkah candles to “publicize the miracle.” What exactly is the miracle we’re publicizing – and what’s the best way for us to do so today?
Teach Your Children the Mitzvot of Shabbat
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.
Teach (and Practice) a New Jewish Value Each Night of Hanukkah
Focus on Community: An Award-Winning Strategy for Two Congregations
In an increasingly mobile society, families often are separated by many miles. Far from family support, we seek community elsewhere, including in our Jewish institutions.
Who Should Teach About Hanukkah and What Should They Be Teaching?
Now that my daughter is in preschool, I've come to realize that hearing about cultural and religious practices directly from the practitioners only emphasizes our otherness.