Arts and Culture

Hands holding chopsticks and digging into carton of Chinese food

Why Some Jews Eat Chinese Food on Christmas

Rabbi Joshua Eli Plaut, Ph.D.
We all know that eating Chinese food on Christmas Eve is a sacred Jewish tradition! The origin of this venerated Christmas Jewish tradition dates back over 100 years to the Lower East Side of New York City.
Photo of different art from the Children of Ruth art exhibition

Children of Ruth: Artists Choosing Judaism

Jean Bloch Rosensaft

The Heller Museum at Hebrew Union College in New York is proud to present “Children of Ruth: Artists Choosing Judaism,” an unprecedented international group exhibition by artists who have found a spiritual home in Judaism through conversion. Their journeys

Photo of a sun setting over a desert

Poems of Sorrow and Hope

Rabbi Hanna Yerushalmi
As I wrestled with my feelings after October 7th, I found that poetry offered me an unexpected outlet. Whether reflecting on the lives lost, the joy of seeing hostages come home, or the comfort I found in our traditions, writing gave me a respite from the complex emotions I was experiencing.
an image of a person staring at the stars in the sky

Siman Tov U’Mazal Tov: Astrology and Judaism

Crystal Hill
Judaism's relationship with astrology is one that has many twists and turns. Jewish interest in the zodiac can be traced back to the time of the Babylonian exile, which is evidenced by the fact that many of the Hebrew names of the constellations are actually Hebraicized versions of the original Assyrian names.
Photo of a woman holding a movie slate in front of her face

Where Have All the Jewish Movies Gone?

Wes Hopper
I’ve been reviewing film and TV here at URJ for nearly a decade and have never seemed to lack for Jewish cinema to cover. Recently, I had the realization that the year was nearly half over, yet I hadn’t written a single movie review.