Israeli-German Relations
On May 13, 1965, Israel officially established diplomatic relations with the Federal Republic of (West) Germany (FRG). This event is quite notable, since Israel was established in the…
Seek the Answer
The Four Questions (Mah Nishtana – What makes it different?) is one of the most famous features of the Passover Seder. In Ashkenazi homes, these four lines are recited by the youngest…
Setting the Seder Table
Before beginning the seder, it is important to make certain that everything necessary is available. No seder table is complete without the following: 1) Three Unbroken Matzot (Kosher for…
Mordecai Manuel Noah
While one of the founding principles of the United States of America is freedom of religion, any historian would agree that in the early days of the United States, this was often more…
The Mother of Women’s Basketball
As today is International Women’s Day, Jewish Treats highlights some of the many accomplishments of Senda Berenson, the mother of women’s basketball, who revolutionized women’s athletics.…
Yitro 5782-2022
“'Proving' G-d’s Existence" (updated and revised from Yitro 5763-2003) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In Exodus 20, in this week’s parasha, parashat Yitro, we read the first of the two…
Eliezer Ben Yehuda, the Father of Modern Hebrew
The official language of Israel is Hebrew, but until the end of the 19th century, almost no one spoke Hebrew colloquially. Lashon Hakodesh, the holy tongue, was used only for prayer and…
Jewish Identity
Sign up for one of NJOP’s free Hebrew Reading Crash Courses starting Monday night January 17th (Level I for beginners) and Wednesday night January 19th (Level II for intermediates), and…
The Marquess of Reading
There have been few Jews included among the peerage of the United Kingdom, and only one who was awarded the title of Marquess. Sir Rufus Daniel Isaacs, the Marquess of Reading, was born…
Vayeishev 5782-2021
“Judah Emerges as the Leader of Israel” (Updated and revised from Vayeishev 5763-2002) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, Vayeishev, represents the opening chapter of one…