Dear Yenta: The Matchmaker (Shadchan)

“Matchmaker, matchmaker / Look through your book / And make me a perfect match...” (Fiddler on the Roof). With the widespread proliferation of internet dating sites such as eharmony,…

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It’s Not About The Status

In many, if not most, Jewish parables, the righteous and scholarly are often presented as living in a state of poverty. Indeed, it might often seem as if poverty is an attribute of…

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L’Chaim

Fiddler on the Roof made the Jewish drinking toast “L’Chaim” - To Life! - famous. Where does the phrase come from? Why do Jews say “To life!” when drinking? Many concepts in Judaism can…

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Dear Yenta: The Matchmaker (Shadchan)

“Matchmaker, matchmaker / Look through your book / And make me a perfect match...” (Fiddler on the Roof). Despite the widespread proliferation of internet dating sites such as eharmony,…

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Hail to the Chief

“A blessing for the czar? Of course. May God bless and keep the czar... far away from us.” So jokes the rabbi of Anatevka during the opening number of Fiddler on the Roof. This was a real…

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In Tune

Can you read Jewish music? No, not the sheet music to Fiddler on the Roof or Havah Nagillah. Trope, the musical cantillation used by Torah readers to sing-chant the holy words, is a…

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L’Chaim

Fiddler on the Roof made the Jewish drinking slogan “L’Chaim” - To Life! - famous. Where does the phrase come from? Why do Jews say “To life!” when drinking? Many concepts in Judaism can…

Read More

It’s Not About The Status

In many, if not most, Jewish parables, the righteous and scholarly are often presented as living in a state of poverty. Indeed, it might often seem as if poverty is an attribute of…

Read More

Fyvush

There are certain entertainers who are known by their first name, such as Matisyahu, Madonna, Cher, Eminem etc. Others are known by their first name, despite widespread knowledge of their…

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Dear Yenta: The Matchmaker (Shadchan)

“Matchmaker, matchmaker / Look through your book / And make me a perfect match…” (Fiddler on the Roof). With the widespread proliferation of internet dating sites such as eharmony,…

Read More