Shemot 5785-2025
“In the Merit of Miriam” (updated and revised from Shemot 5765-2005) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwaldֹ In this coming week’s parasha, parashat Shemot, we learn of the oppression of the…
Hail The Accuser
In the era of social media, it is almost an everyday occurrence to be asked to sign a petition or to “like” a cause. When Emile Zola, the celebrated French novelist published J’Accuse on…
A Principled Stand
Given the terrible surge in antisemitism in the wake of the October 7, 2023 attack in Israel, it is our duty to make certain that antisemitism and other forms of baseless bigotry are…
Menashe and Ephraim
Joseph’s two sons, Menashe and Ephraim, are familiar names because they each became the forefather of a tribe when Jacob divided the tribe of Joseph into two tribes, and because of the…
Self Awareness
Be aware of the personal strengths of those around you, especially your children, and try to guide them so they can tap into them. Every Friday night, parents are given a special…
The Tenth of Tevet
"And it was in the ninth year of [King Zeddekiah’s] reign, in the tenth month, on the tenth (day) of the month, that Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, came, he and all his legions, upon…
A National Poet
Chaim Nahman Bialik (born January 9, 1873) was an Israeli national icon who came to be recognized as one of Israel’s greatest national poets. Born in the Russian town of Radi, he was…
Poetic License
Delve into the poetry of Chaim Nahman Bialik to appreciate his writings exhorting Jews to reawaken and step forward to take a stand.
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…
Register Now
Sign up HERE for one of NJOP’s free Hebrew Reading Crash Courses starting Tuesday, January 14th and Wednesday, January 15th to unlock the fascinating etymology of Hebrew words and connect…
Vayechi 5785-2025
“The ‘Sealed’ Torah Portion” (updated and revised from Vayechi 5765-2004) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwaldֹ This week’s parasha, parashat Vayechi, is unique among all the parashiot of the…
The Jews of the New Mexico Territory
On January 6, 1912, New Mexico became the 47th state of the United States of America. The majority of the state’s territory was acquired by the United States from Mexico in the late…
Jewish Identity
Research the distinctive backgrounds of those who first came to the U.S. and settled the southwestern United States in states such as New Mexico.
Joseph, Son of Jacob
The story of Jacob’s eleventh son is a tale of epic proportion. The firstborn of barren Rachel, Joseph was his father’s favorite child and Jacob never hesitated to display his feelings of…
From Dreamer to Viceroy
Study the incredible story of Joseph, the young dreamer, one of the most famous biblical personalities, who went from interpreting dreams in prison to becoming the Viceroy of Egypt.…
A Kosher Buffet
While it seems a bit counterintuitive to have a day celebrating abundant eating the day after a national holiday (New Year’s Day), nevertheless, January 2nd is celebrated as “Buffet……
Healthy Eating
Eat well balanced, nutritious meals. Proper nutrition is always an important Jewish value.
This is Chanukah
Tonight is the eighth and final night of Chanukah. After the flames die down, many people will pack up the menorah and think little about the holiday again until next year. However, the…
One More Latke
Tomorrow, when there will be no more candle lighting to look forward to, enjoy a potato latke or donut in honor of Chanukah.
Putting Chanukah in Perspective
The events of Chanukah took place about 150 years after the death of Alexander the Great (323 BCE), which brought 40 years of civil war to his empire. Eventually, the empire was divided…
Moment of Reflection
When studying Jewish history, reflect on the history of the Jewish people and take pride in the nation's survival notwithstanding the myriad number of challenges that have come our way.
Vayigash 5785-2025
“And He Fell on His Neck and Wept” (updated and revised from Vayigash 5765-2004) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwaldֹ In this week’s parasha, parashat Vayigash, we read of the dramatic reunion…
Spin the Dreidel
I have a little dreidel I made it out of clay And when it's dry and ready With dreidel I shall play! The dreidel is a four-sided top, with a single Hebrew letter on each of its sides.…
Chanukah and Divine Order
Chanukah always overlaps with at least one Shabbat (if not two), and since Chanukah begins on the 25th of Kislev and lasts for eight days, the holiday always coincides with the…
Welcoming Chanukah and Shabbat
Later this afternoon, as we welcome the third night of Chanukah by lighting the menorah, and Shabbat, by lighting Shabbat candles, appreciate the special opportunity we have been given to…
The Challenge of Fitting In
The weekly Torah reading of Mikeitz (Genesis 41:1-44:17), which almost always coincides with Chanukah, tells the story of the rise of Joseph the son of Jacob from slave to viceroy. And…
The Chanukah Blessings
Tonight, on the first night of Chanukah, one candle/light is placed on the far right of the menorah. Each succeeding night, one candle/light is added to the left of the previous night’s…