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
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.
Food, Faith, and Family: Three Poems for Passover
"You won’t smell soup cooking yet / or cake or kugel or tzimmes baking / on the day before Passover."
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?
URJ and The Kraus Family Foundation Announce the Gilbert and Eleanor Kraus Initiative for Immigrant and Refugee Justice
How to Live a Happier Life
I don’t mean to make the idea of happiness simple and easy because it’s not – and it’s also not about avoiding our pain or struggles. Rather, it’s about seeking happiness in our lives through it all.
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.
Apply Today for the RAC's Travel Justly Microgrant!
Let’s consider our carbon footprint. Let’s take into account how many people live in your home, how many miles you drive per week, how many flights you take annually and how much meat you eat. Each of these activities contributes to carbon dioxide emissions, which contributes to climate change.