National Freedom Day
Today, February 1st, is both National Freedom Day and the first day of Black History Month. National Freedom Day was initially advocated for by Major Richard Robert Wright Sr.…
Jewish Expression
Celebrate the freedom of religious expression in the United States by freely expressing your Judaism.
Your Jewish Life Coach
Do you have a life coach? For those unfamiliar with the term, life coaches work to help their clients determine and achieve their personal goals. While life coaching as a profession in…
Your Rabbi
Follow the dictate of Ethics of our Fathers and find a rabbi who can provide positive guidance for your own Jewish living.
B’shalach 5783-2023
“The Malbim Teaches the Lessons of the Manna” (updated and revised from B’shalach 5764-2004) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week’s parasha, parashat B’shalach, the recently…
History for Everyone
Barbara Tuchman, born January 30, 1912, never earned a doctorate in history, but the books that she authored injected new life into the layman’s study and understanding of history. While…
Study History
Set aside time to read up on world and Jewish history to develop a better understanding of the significance of important historical events.
International Holocaust Memorial Day
Speak of the Holocaust, and the first word that many think of is Auschwitz. It was, and is, the most infamous of the concentration camps established by the Nazis. In fact, Auschwitz was…
Record the Memories
If there are Holocaust survivors in your family or in your community, make sure to speak with them and record their stories. While it is impossible to compare the trials and tribulations…
Before Michigan
The foundations of Michigan’s Jewish community were laid by the German Jews who came to America in the 1840s and spread out across the continent. Jewish history in Michigan, which became…
Midwest Trailblazers
Study the history of Jews who were trailblazers and who made their mark in the Midwest during the 19th century.
Under Cover of Darkness
Of the ten plagues that devastated the land of Egypt, the plague of darkness appears to be the most benign. Certainly, being trapped in the dark is frightening (sensory deprivation is a…
Appreciate the Gift of Sight
Remember each morning to recite the blessing thanking God for allowing us to be able to see. Ba’ruch Ah’tah Ah’doh’nai Eh’lo’kay’nu Melech ha’o’lam pokay’ach ivreem. Blessed are You,…
Seek Out The Positive
An ethical dilemma: A close friend confides in you that he/she recently purchased an expensive, one-of-a-kind, non-returnable item. When he/she shows it to you, you are immediately aware…
Looking for the Good
Next time you hear something about someone who hurt you, try to find a way to see it in a positive light.
Bo 5783-2023
“The Subtle Secrets of the 10 Plagues” (updated and revised from Bo 5763-2003) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s Torah portion, parashat Bo, describes the last three of the ten…
Calligraphy
In honor of National Handwriting Day, which is today, Jewish Treats explores the unique calligraphy practiced by a Jewish sofer (scribe). The Hebrew letters used in a Torah scroll, as…
Delve into the Hidden Meaning
Learn to read Hebrew, and you will be able to identify the letters with the ornamental flourishes or crowns atop them found in the Torah, mezuzot and tefillin, and delve into their hidden…
They Make Us Laugh
When the hit comedy Funny People was released in movie theaters (2009), it was frequently noted in the Jewish press that almost all of the comic actors in the film, including the…
Lift Their Spirits!
Share a joke or two with a friend or family member going through a rough period, to lift their spirits and make them laugh! While it’s certainly true that humor can help raise a person’s…
Justice and Ambassador
On August 8, 1908, Rebecca and Joseph Goldberg were blessed with their eighth child, whom they named Arthur. As the youngest in the family, Arthur was the only Goldberg who was not forced…
Know Your History
A remarkable fact of contemporary American Jewish history was that Arthur Goldberg, the 4th of eight Jews to serve as a U.S. Supreme Court Justice also served as the U.S. Representative…
Book Respect
Because of the centrality of the Torah in Jewish life, the Jewish people are known as, “The People of the Book.” Perhaps the Jewish people could also be known as, “The People of the…
Prominent Place
Place your Jewish books in a central bookcase so it will be clear how much they are cherished.
Touching the Equation
Imagine having a passion for mathematics but lacking the language to express it. Math, with all of its detailed and complex problem solving, is an extremely visual field of study. Because…
Incredible Achievements
During the month of January, National Braille Literacy Month, learn more about the incredible work done by Abraham Nemeth to benefit the American Joint Braille Committee and the Jewish…
Va’eira 5783-2023
“The Exodus--A ‘Primitive’ Story with Revolutionary Implications” (updated and revised from Va’eira 5763-2002) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Jewish history is often perceived, with great…
Honoring King
“The Hebrew prophets belong to all people because their concepts of justice and equality have become ideals for all races and civilizations. Today we particularly need the Hebrew prophets…
Recall Heroic Actions
On a date marking the death of a hero, it’s important that we all study their actions, and learn from their lives.
The Challenge of a Cup of Tea
How do you make a cup of tea? Seems like a silly question, doesn’t it? Tea is easy. Simply take a mug, fill it with hot water, and then just add a tea bag. Let the tea steep and remove…