Jewish Treats

Symbolic Foods

Since Rosh Hashana is the Day of Judgment, it is customary to eat simanim*, foods with symbolic meanings that invoke God’s blessing. We also recite a short prayer before eating them.…

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Jewish Treats

Holiday Greetings

The standard pre-Rosh Hashana greeting of “K’tiva v’chatima tova” (“May you be written and sealed for good”) is deduced from a Talmudic discussion concerning the three heavenly books that…

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Nitzavim,Weekly Message

Nitzavim 5782-2022

Nitzavim 5782-2022 “The Hidden Things Belong to G-d” (updated and revised from Nitzavim 5765-2005) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald On the final day of his life, Moses gathers all the people…

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Jewish Treats

“And Now Let Us Say Amen…”

The word “Amen” seems to be one of those words associated with prayer throughout the Judeo-Christian culture, but what does it mean? The response "Amen" at the end of an oath or a prayer…

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Jewish Treats

Yente the Yiddish Writer

Yiddish literature entered its modern era in the 1860s, when Jewish writers began using the Germanic-Jewish language to compose stories and poems. Many of the early writers of this era…

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Jewish Treats

Forgiveness: An Elul Treat

Many feel that the three hardest words to say, in any language are: “I am sorry.” Yet, we all know how very important those words are. Indeed, a person saying they are sorry, or at least…

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Jewish Treats

Positive Thinking Day

One of the new holidays that has gained traction due to internet calendars is “Positive Thinking Day,” celebrated this year today, on September 13th. With less than two weeks until Rosh…

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Weekly Message,Kee Tavo

Kee Tavo 5782-2022

“Watch Out for Laban, He’s More Dangerous than Pharaoh!” (updated and revised from Kee Tavo 5763-2003) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Parashat Kee Tavo is an “ominous” parasha. It is one…

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Jewish Treats

Swiss Jews

A Jewish presence in Switzerland can be traced back to the Middle Ages. Until the 19th century, Jews in Switzerland were restricted in both residence and employment. While there were…

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Jewish Treats

Honoring 9/11

Sunday is the 21st anniversary of the devastating attack on the World Trade Center in New York City and several other targets in 2001. There are stories to be told of many heroes. People…

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