Displaying 1 - 10 of 105
Sukkot in a Time Of Pandemic: A Poem
This year, even if you do not have a sukkah to visit, you can still experience the kavanah (intention) and the ruach (spirit) of Sukkot.
It's Sukkot, Let's Vote: The Letter I Wrote to My Neighbors about Our Sukkah
Known as z’man simchateinu (season of our rejoicing), Sukkot is the only festival associated with an explicit commandment to rejoice.
Celebrate Shavuot with Shalom Sesame
Together with your children, watch these Shalom Sesame videos to learn about Shavuot and celebrating the Torah. Then try some of the discussion ideas and activities recommended by Reform Jewish educators to further extend the lessons learned in the videos.
Eight Ways to Make Every Night of Hanukkah Shine
Here are eight wonderful things about Hanukkah, one for each night, that can enhance our celebrations of this beloved holiday.
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.
Drive Thru Judaism: An Antidote to Quarantined Community
Craving personal connection to actual people? Missing in-person contact with your clergy and community? Consider “Drive Thru Judaism” as an antidote to quarantined community.
Bicerin: Italian Hot Chocolate
Warm up in the cool of the Sukkot evenings with rich Italian bicerin, lusciously layered with coffee, chocolate and cream.
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?
Ushpizin: Welcoming Seven Holy Guests of Social Justice Work
At Sukkot, Jewish tradition encourages us to welcome seven holy guests into our sukkot, one for each night of the week. In a modern variation to this custom, each night can be connected to a related social action theme.
Camp Jenny: Impacting Lives Year After Year
By Richard Rosenthal
Partaking in annual traditions are what highlight family values to me. For example, watching the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade together, using the same afikoman cover year after year, and preparing a special meal for Rosh HaShanah are some special traditions that come to mind. Along that continuum, there is a tradition that blossomed over 25 years ago at URJ Camp Coleman in the North Georgia Mountains called Camp Jenny. This tradition happens every year, when camp organizers come together with 125 NFTYites to share their values, and to offer their love, leadership, and guidance to approximately 150 under-privileged children who engage in camp activities over Memorial Day weekend.