Parenting By Parsha: Mishpatim
This week, we read the section of the Torah called ‘Mishpatim,’ a word generally understood to mean ‘laws.’ In modern Hebrew, the phrase ‘ma’arechet ha-mishpatim’ means the legal system, and […]
They Say ‘The Jews Didn’t Fight.’ Here’s The Real Story.
Last week was International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Established by the U.N. for January 27, on the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz by the Soviet army. And as every year, […]
Why It’s Jewish To Be A Climate Activist
In modern Western tradition, we understand time as linear; we’re moving along a line, from point A to B to C and so on. Time is a ribbon, pulled taut, […]
Parenting By Parsha: Va’era
Our heroes have been through plenty of trials by now.
A New Delhi Hanukkah Miracle
I’m standing in a vaguely dirty room, by the take-a-book-leave-a-book shelves. The smell of dust, sweat, and fried dough tickle my nostrils. The room, which is sort of lit by […]
Jelly Donut Trifle A Twist On A Hanukkah Staple
Nine years ago a magazine featured an article about trifles for the holidays. Not one of the recipes was inspired by Chanukah. I felt Chanukah was made for this type […]
The Naked Truth about Chanukah
On the early morning of July 18, a protestor in Portland dubbed “Naked Athena,” wearing only a hat and facemask, approached the police at SW 3rd and Taylor. Though some […]
The Endearing Jewishness of ‘Schitt’s Creek’
Admittedly, I was a few years late to this glorious party as Schitt’s Creek, created by the Canadian father and son Eugene and Daniel Levy, premiered back in 2015, but […]
Jewish Geography & Road Trip Rites Of Passage
A universal code exists when taking a road trip with members of the tribe (MOT). When I was growing up, my family didn’t feel a city was properly visited unless […]
Looking for Kavanah at Yom Kippur on Zoom
The concept of kavanah was first introduced to me in a Jewish education class as a translation of ‘intention’ while in prayer. I understood it to be about being moved […]