Jewish Values

Teach (and Practice) a New Jewish Value Each Night of Hanukkah

Rabbi Ruth Adar

From this list of eight Jewish values, assign them each one day of Hanukkah and plan appropriate activities for your family. The idea of activities is not simply doing for doing’s sake, but doing for the sake of learning. Be sure to reflect and talk afterward!

Soul-Making: Living in the Peaks, the Valleys, and Everything in Between

Hiker standing at the top of a peak looking out over nature at sunrise

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Rick Schechter

November 5, 2020

We may want to experience only life's peaks, but there’s another valuable direction in life, too – into the valleys. Our upward movement is balanced by a downward movement, like the angels in Jacob’s dream. We need to embrace both.

Jewish Values

A womans white hand and a mans black hand hold a Hanukkah candle together as they light a Hanukkah menorah

Jewish Values

Habari Gani? How My Family is Melding Kwanzaa and Hanukkah Customs

Rebecca Missel

As we each shared some favorite holiday memories, my partner asked, “So what does each candle of Hanukkah symbolize?” Puzzled, I asked him to explain what he meant. “You know, like for Kwanzaa.”

Clear hourglass with white sand against a stark black background

Civil Rights & Voting Rights

What Jewish Wisdom Can Teach Us about Waiting for Election Results

Josh Burg

November 2, 2020

It may prove difficult to wait for election results, especially in these times of heightened stress and anxiety; patience may seem impossible. Fortunately, Jewish faith and tradition offer lessons for us as we enter a period of waiting and uncertainty.

Letting Abraham's Example Guide Us, During Election Season and Beyond

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Michael Dolgin

October 29, 2020

Parashat Vayeira contains some of the most well-known and controversial texts in the book of Genesis, including the Akedah. These words remind us that no matter how strongly we feel about our principles, we cannot sacrifice our fellow human beings to realize them.

Vayeira