How Legos Turned Into a New Jewish Tradition for My Family
I consider myself a dedicated yet anxious Jewish mom. I’m dedicated because I would like my children to have a Jewish upbringing that connects them to our collective stories, history, and values – and I’m anxious because I’m never quite sure whether I’m accomplishing that goal.
Hanukkah Gift Tree: A Family Craft Project
What happens on each night of Hanukkah?
Two blessings are chanted or recited every night of Hanukkah. The first is a blessing over the candles themselves. The second blessing expresses thanks for the miracle of deliverance. A third blessing—the Shehecheyanu prayer, marking all joyous occasions in Jewish life—is chanted or recited only on the first night.
Vayeitzei for Tots: Tikkun Olam in the Everyday Lives of Our Families
A guide to help adults learn how to engage young children in a discussion about this week’s Torah portion.
A Tri-Faith Holiday Celebration in Israel
In the early 1990s, Haifa instituted an annual cultural event, “Festival of Festivals,” to celebrate Jewish, Christian, and Muslim holidays falling during the winter season.
A Kid-Friendly Version of the Hanukkah Story
Hanukkah: The Secret Strategy of Jewish Survival
Every Hanukkah, we thank God for the miracle of the season. But what was the miracle? Simply this: The Maccabees and their legacy survived.
8 Ideas for Celebrating Hanukkah with Teens
The Hidden History of "I Have a Little Dreidel"
Samuel E. Goldfarb penned “I Have a Little Dreidel”, while his older brother composed “Shalom Aleichem.” To use a Christian equivalent, it would be like having one brother write “Jingle Bells” and another compose “Silent Night.”
What It's Like to Be a Maccabee in Maine
My sisters and I grew up in Central Maine, where my family was one of a small handful of Jewish families scattered in this remote, wooded corner of the diaspora.