Tag: "Jewish holidays"

If I forget thee, O Jerusalem

Tisha B’Av: Day of Endings

There is no comfort in endings, no matter how much good might come to you at other times.

The (real) Day the Earth Stood Still

The (real) Day the Earth Stood Still

This coming week is the anniversary of the most world changing event in the history of mankind. It is also one of the least well-known Jewish Festivals on the Jewish calendar.

There is something here, in the letters, something ancient and eternal.

Are We There Yet? Standing At Sinai

“Do you believe Jews are chosen above all other people?” “Chosen for what?” I reply. “Suffering?” He looks as though he wants to kick me, but does not.

Noshin’ Recipe: Cheesecake and Blintzes for Shavuot

Noshin’ Recipe: Cheesecake and Blintzes for Shavuot

Shavuot commemorates the receiving of the Torah from Mount Sinai. To celebrate we eat milk-ful dishes like blintzes and cheesecake. I know — being Jewish is sooooooo rough.

The Alef Bet will bring us back.

Alef, Bet: On the other side of the Holocaust

I want my son to see a flaming Alef lighting the sky above us when he dreams at night; right now it is all I have.

Tu B’Shevat: Fruits of Jerusalem

Tu B’Shevat: Fruits of Jerusalem

We are alive, Josh and I, like the fruits of Jerusalem. The trees, figs, noise and clatter tell us we are alive, and we cannot take it for granted.

On Simchat Torah: unraveling joy

On Simchat Torah: unraveling joy

So God shows up and asks if you want 613 Laws. The Jews took all of them. According to the story, they did not ask why. But if ancient Jewry was anything like my relatives, I’ll never believe it. The Jews I know would never settle for anything without asking why.

Build a sukkah on your porch or apartment balcony

Build a sukkah on your porch or apartment balcony

This article is for you. The Jew who has never built a sukkah before, or vaguely remembers that the last time you helped to build a sukkah, you were four-years-old and your job was to hang streamers from the ceiling.