The Gift That Keeps on Giving
Register to participate in SHABBAT ACROSS AMERICA AND CANADA at Home to receive great Shabbat resources that will enable you to join the celebration. Shabbat, the extraordinary gift that…
Jews in Mauritius
In the Indian Ocean, just off the coast of Africa, is the island nation of Mauritius. Despite the general absence of Jews in Mauritius in the past, there is enough of a Jewish community…
Finally Buried
On the 4th of Adar 1307, corresponding to today’s Hebrew date, the Maharam of Rothenburg was buried in the Jewish cemetery in Worms, fourteen years after his death. The rabbi’s remains…
The History Around Purim
The story of Purim takes place at the very end of the era known in Jewish history as the Babylonian Exile. King Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian legions destroyed the Temple and…
Parasha of The Month
This Shabbat we will read Parashat HaChodesh, the Sabbath of “the Month.” The Torah portion that is read as the Maftir (additional reading) after the conclusion of the reading of the…
Four Cups of Wine
Like almost all festival meals, the Passover seder begins with Kiddush, the sanctification of the day over a cup of wine. On Passover, however, the first cup of wine is followed by three…
Searching for Chametz
On Passover, Jews are commanded to get rid of all “chametz” (leaven) which may be in their possession. It is not unusual to begin cleaning and scrubbing the home weeks before the holiday.…
Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Memorial Day
Yom Hashoah, is observed each year on the 27th of Nissan, unless that date falls adjacent to Shabbat, which is the case this year. It is therefore being commemorated today, which is the…
First You and Then You
From a broad perspective, the opportunity for all members of a prayer service to participate in a Torah reading service is an important statement on Jewish inclusion. In reality, however,…