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Category: Holidays

Juneteenth 5782: Kiddush Over Red Drink

Juneteenth 5782: Kiddush Over Red Drink

Gulienne Rollins-Rishon reflects on Juneteenth which commemorates the complete ending of legal slavery in the United States.
June 17, 2022 Holidays Juneteenth (US)
Shabbat Morning Services: What to Expect

Shabbat Morning Services: What to Expect

We thank God, spend time in community, sing heartily, read holy texts, and revel in rest. What can I expect at a Shabbat morning service?
June 16, 2022 Prayer Prayer in Synagogue
What do I do on a long Shabbat Afternoon?

What do I do on a long Shabbat Afternoon?

Long Shabbat afternoons can be intimidating, here's how Rabbi Sydni Rubinstein spends her time and why it's her favorite time all week.
June 10, 2022 Observing Shabbat Shabbat
Friday Night Kiddush: The Deeper Meaning

Friday Night Kiddush: The Deeper Meaning

Rabbi Dina Shargel teaches that the Friday night Kiddush sets a mood to welcome Shabbat by connecting it to Creation and to the Exodus.
June 7, 2022 Erev Shabbat Shabbat

What are the Shavuot Torah Readings About?

Rabbi Mitch Berkowitz explains the meaning of the Torah passages that we read on Shavuot and the connection to revelation and the harvest.
June 3, 2022 Observing Shavuot Shavuot
10 Reasons Shavuot Might Be Your New Favorite Holiday

10 Reasons Shavuot Might Be Your New Favorite Holiday

Rabbi Tova Leibovic-Douglas offers us 10 great reasons why Shavuot might be your new favorite Jewish holiday.
June 3, 2022 Shavuot Shavuot Reflections and Inspiration

Malchut/Nobility Intention: Omer Week 7

Rabbi Meir Goldstein offers a nobility (Malchut) intention for the seventh week of the counting of the omer.
June 2, 2022 Omer Intentions Spiritual Omer Intentions

Shavuot: Z’man Matan Torateinu

Ariel Barry discusses Shavuot and receiving the Torah from Sinai. What does it mean to be "MiSinai", from Sinai and how can we relate today?
May 31, 2022 Shavuot Shavuot Reflections and Inspiration

Memorial Day 2022

This Memorial Day, in the wake of the Uvalde shooting, let us stop and reflect on the violence that has become a part of our ...
May 27, 2022 Memorial Day

Yesod/Foundation Intention: Omer Week 6

Rabbi Meir Goldstein offers a foundation (Yesod) intention for the sixth week of the counting of the omer.
May 25, 2022 Omer Intentions Spiritual Omer Intentions

Hod/Humility Intention: Omer Week 5

Rabbi Meir Goldstein offers a humility (Hod) intention for the fifth week of the counting of the omer.
May 24, 2022 Omer Intentions Spiritual Omer Intentions
How to See and Be Seen: Choosing Judaism

How to See and Be Seen: Choosing Judaism

Shavuot is the holiday of choosing Judaism. We choose to see the beauty of the tradition and be seen holding it with full hearts and ...
May 20, 2022 Conversion Shavuot
Learning about Mental Illness from Ruth

Learning about Mental Illness from Ruth

Risa Sugarman teaches that comparing Ruth's strengths to owning our own positive attributes as primary instead of our mental illness.
May 20, 2022 Illness Shavuot
image of mount sinai at sunset with the words: Questions of Revelation: A Poem

Questions of Revelation: A Poem

Rabbi Suzanne Brody shares her poem that embraces a variety of midrashim about what happened at Sinai when we received the Torah.
May 20, 2022 Personal Prayer Prayer
Image of a do-not-enter sign with the words The Shabbat Prohibitions

The Shabbat Prohibitions

Shabbat comes with specific limitations. These Shabbat prohibitions help us create a separation from the rest of the week.
, May 16, 2022 Observing Shabbat Shabbat
darkened image of a sunset with the words The Shabbat Afternoon Service

The Shabbat Afternoon Service

The Minhah Service on Saturday Shabbat afternoon contains a number of significant additions to the weekday Afternoon Service.
, May 16, 2022 Prayer Prayer in Synagogue
Image of a Torah scroll with the words The Saturday Morning Shabbat Service

The Saturday Morning Shabbat Service

How is the Saturday morning Shabbat service constructed? What prayers are included? Check out our overview on Shabbat morning services.
, May 16, 2022 Shabbat Shabbat Day
Blurry image of candlesticks, challah, and a kiddush cup with the words: Friday Night Shabbat at Home

Friday Night Shabbat at Home

Friday night Shabbat at home includes blessings over children, the song Shalom Aleichem, kiddush, and the blessing over bread, the motzi.
, May 16, 2022 Erev Shabbat Shabbat
Blurry image of a havdalah set with a hand reflecting off of the candle with the words: Super Simple Guide: How to do Havdalah

Super Simple Guide: How to Do Havdalah

This is a super simple guide on how to do the ritual of Havdalah including the blessings in Hebrew, English, and Transliteration.
May 13, 2022 Havdalah Shabbat
Blurry image of a bonfire and the words: Lag Ba-omer and Pesah Sheini

Lag Ba-omer and Pesah Sheini

Lag Ba-Omer, the 33rd day of the omer, and Pesah Sheini, are two commemorative moments during the Counting of the Omer.
, May 13, 2022 The Omer What is the Omer
Mountain with fog and the words: Revelation: A Poem

Revelation: A Poem

Yakira Keshet offers a poem to commemorate Shavuot, her journey to Judaism, and the presence of our souls at Mount Sinai.
May 12, 2022 Conversion LGBTQ+
Image of the legs of runnings with the words: Netzach/Endurance Intention: Omer Week 4

Netzach/Endurance Intention: Omer Week 4

Rabbi Meir Goldstein offers an endurance (netzach) intention for the fourth week of the counting of the omer.
May 6, 2022 Omer Intentions Spiritual Omer Intentions
blurry image of a concert with orange lights with the words: Omer Mixtape Netzach week 4

Omer Mixtape 2022: Netzach Week 4

Rabbi Jenna Stein Turow counts the omer and explores the inner self by connecting divine elements to songs that hold special meaning.
May 6, 2022 Music Omer Intentions
image of stones at the beach with a stack of stones on the right with the words: Tiferet/Harmony Intention: Omer Week 3

Tiferet/Harmony Intention: Omer Week 3

Rabbi Meir Goldstein offers a harmony (tiferet) intention for the third week of the counting of the omer.
May 2, 2022 Omer Intentions Spiritual Omer Intentions
blurry image of a concert with yellow lights with the words: Omer Mixtape Tiferet Week 3

Omer Mixtape 2022: Tiferet Week 3

Rabbi Jenna Stein Turow counts the omer and explores the inner self by connecting divine elements to songs that hold special meaning.
April 29, 2022 Music Omer Intentions
Blurry image of a concert with blue lights and the words:Omer Mixtape 2022.

Omer Mixtape 2022

Rabbi Jenna Stein Turow counts the omer and explores the inner self by connecting divine elements to songs that hold special meaning.
April 29, 2022 Music Omer Intentions
blurry image of a backyard at night with the words Havdalah Solo: My (Slightly Awkward) Spiritual Self-Care

Havdalah Solo: My (Slightly Awkward) Spiritual Self-Care

My Havdalah candle, wine, spices, and I did my own Havdalah ceremony all alone in my backyard. It was my own form of spiritual self-care.
April 27, 2022 Havdalah Shabbat
Blurry image of havdalah set with the words: Havdalah: An Overview

Havdalah: An Overview

Havdalah, the concluding ceremony for Shabbat, serves as a dramatic reminder of the beauty and emotional power of Judaism.
, April 26, 2022 Havdalah Shabbat
Home and Synagogue Shavuot Observances

Home and Synagogue Shavuot Observances

Candle-lighting, Torah readings, the Book of Ruth, and Yizkor are all a part of celebrating Shavuot at home and at synagogue.
, April 25, 2022 Observing Shavuot Shavuot
Image of mountains with the words What is Shavuot about?

What is Shavuot about?

Like Sukkot and Passover, Shavuot is a multi-dimensional holiday, embracing profound historical, spiritual, and agricultural aspects.
, April 25, 2022 Shavuot Shavuot Explainers
Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikkaron, Yom Haatzma'ut, and Yom Yerushalayim

Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikkaron, Yom Haatzma’ut, and Yom Yerushalayim

What are the commemorative holidays of Yom HaShoah, Yom haZikkaron, Yom Haatzma'ut, and Yom Yerushalayim and what do we do on them?
April 25, 2022 Holidays Yom Haatzma'ut
blurry image of a concert with red and blue lights with the words: Omer Mixtape Gevurah Week 2

Omer Mixtape 2022: Gevurah Week 2

Rabbi Jenna Stein Turow counts the omer and explores the inner self by connecting divine elements to songs that hold special meaning.
April 23, 2022 Music Omer Intentions
Gevurah/Discipline Intention: Omer Week 2

Gevurah/Discipline Intention: Omer Week 2

Rabbi Meir Goldstein offers a discipline (gevurah) intention for the second week of the counting of the omer.
April 22, 2022 Omer Intentions Spiritual Omer Intentions
sunset image with the words: Friday Night Services at Synagogue: An Explainer

Friday Night Services at Synagogue: An Explainer

Friday night services on Shabbat include both Kabbalat Shabbat, a joyous recitation of psalms, and a Shabbat Maariv, the evening service.
, April 20, 2022 Erev Shabbat Prayer
blurry image of shabbat candle sticks and the words: Shabbat Candles and the Beginning of Shabbat

Shabbat Candles and the Beginning of Shabbat

Shabbat begins with the lighting of candles, in part, because they are symbolic of the spiritual light that Shabbat can bring into our lives.
, April 20, 2022 Erev Shabbat Shabbat
blurry image of a shabbat table with the words: The 3 Categories of Shabbat Preparation

The 3 Categories of Shabbat Preparation

There are three major categories of Shabbat preparation that must be attended to: physical setting, food preparation, and personal grooming.
, April 20, 2022 Erev Shabbat Preparing for Shabbat
blurry image of a concert with Red lights with the words: Omer Mixtape Chesed Week 1

Omer Mixtape 2022: Chesed Week 1

Rabbi Jenna Stein Turow counts the omer and explores the inner self by connecting divine elements to songs that hold special meaning.
April 16, 2022 Music Omer Intentions
Super Simple Guide: How to Count the Omer

Super Simple Guide: How to Count the Omer

Counting the omer is an accessible mitzvah, commandment, that each of us can do. Here you will find the simple instructions on how to do ...
April 13, 2022 How to Count the Omer The Omer
blurry image of two hands making a heart shape with the words: Chesed/Loving-Kindness Intention: Omer Week 1

Chesed/Loving-Kindness Intention: Omer Week 1

Rabbi Meir Goldstein offers a loving-kindness (chesed) intention for the first week of the counting of the omer.
April 13, 2022 Omer Intentions Spiritual Omer Intentions
blurry image of dishes and the words The Important Thing That Keeps our Family “Doing Jewish”

The Important Thing That Keeps our Family “Doing Jewish”

The most important thing to teach the next generation is how to make a seder, including what comes before the festival candles are even lit.
April 13, 2022 Food Passover
Blurry image of a calendar on the right with the words to the left that read: What is Counting the Omer

What is Counting the Omer

Counting the omer reflects the agricultural dimension of Passover and Shavuot and this is how we observe sefirat haomer today.
, April 13, 2022 How to Count the Omer The Omer
Blurry image of an open ark with four Torahs and the words: The Concluding Days of Passover

The Concluding Days of Passover

What do we do in synagogue on Passover? What Torah readings and haftarot do we read? We outline that for you here.
, April 13, 2022 How to observe Passover Passover
Blurry image of a Torah scroll and the words Passover Torah Readings: An Explainer

Passover Torah Readings: An Explainer

Though Pesach is thought of as the quintessential home-based holiday, the Torah is read on each of the mornings of Pesach in the synagogue.
April 13, 2022 Intermediate Days of Passover Passover
Blurry image of an open ark with four Torahs and the words: Passover in the Synagogue

Passover in the Synagogue

What do we do in synagogue on Passover? What Torah readings and haftarot do we read? We outline that for you here.
, April 13, 2022 How to observe Passover Passover
blurry image of someone cleaning a table with the words When the COVID Plague Threatens Your Seder (Again)

When the COVID Plague Threatens Your Seder (Again)

Here are 10 tips on how to make Pesah meaningful and kosher (enough) even when the plague of COVID continues to threaten our celebrations.
April 13, 2022 Passover Passover Reflections
blurry image of a table with the words The Four Children and Racial Justice

The Four Children and Racial Justice

We approach the Haggadah at a time of profound racial reckoning in our country. How might the four children help us relate to racial justice?
April 6, 2022 Passover Passover Reflections
Blurry image of a firepit and the words Biur and S’mores: Have Fun As You Get Rid of Hametz

Biur and S’mores: Have Fun As You Get Rid of Hametz

There is lots to do to get ready for Passover. We may ask, where am I going to have Seder? How long or short will ...
April 6, 2022 Passover Preparing for Passover
Blurry image of countryside with the words Mah Nishtanah: How Is This Moment Different?

Mah Nishtanah: How Is This Moment Different?

Mah Nishtanah: How is This Moment Different by Rabbi Rachel Ain is a reflection on her recent trip to Ukraine in 2022.
April 6, 2022 Passover Passover Reflections
blurry image of a book with the words The Sunflower on Our Seder Table

The Sunflower on Our Seder Table

The Sunflower on Our Seder Table by Rabbi Ilana Garber on behalf of the people in Ukraine in 2022.
April 6, 2022 Passover Passover Prayer
blurry image of a book with the words All Who Are Hungry: A Prayer for Action, A Prayer for Ukraine

All Who Are Hungry: A Prayer for Action, A Prayer for Ukraine

All Who Are Hungry: A Prayer for Action, A Prayer for Ukraine by Rabbi Mark Greenspan on behalf of the people in Ukraine in 2022.
April 6, 2022 Passover Passover Prayer
blurry image of a set table How to Make a Seder for Everyone

How to Make a Seder for Everyone

The key to hosting a successful seder for everyone is to articulate a bold purpose in gathering and map the journey.
April 5, 2022 Passover Preparing for Passover
blurry image of a book with the words Dedication for First Cup of Wine

Dedication for First Cup of Wine

Dedication for the First Cup of Wine at the Passover Seder by Rabbi Martin S. Cohen on behalf of the people in Ukraine in 2022.
April 5, 2022 Passover Passover Prayer
close up image of gas stove with the words Leveraging Anger for Change this Passover

Leveraging Anger for Change this Passover

While anger and frustration can lead to stress and dissatisfaction, mindful approaches to our anger can move our lives out of complacency.
April 3, 2022 Passover Passover Reflections
Image of a desert with the words Passover: An Invitation to Get Free

Passover: An Invitation to Get Free

Spiritually preparing for Passover not an intellectual exercise. It’s a spiritual invitation to ask ourselves: am I willing to get free?
April 3, 2022 Passover Preparing for Passover
blurry zoom meeting with the words How to Make your Zoom Seder not Suck

How to Make your Zoom Seder not Suck

Hosting a Zoom seder is not just putting a webcam on your seder plate. These tips will ensure your guests won’t succumb to Zoom fatigue.
April 3, 2022 How to observe Passover Passover
Blurry image of a set table and the words Hosting a Seder for People New to Judaism or the Seder

Hosting a Seder for People New to Judaism or the Seder

The Seder is a potpourri of powerful rituals, wise rabbinic aphorisms, and opportunities to elevate the mundanities of eating into holiness.
April 3, 2022 How to observe Passover Passover
Ask the Questions and Dig Deeper

Ask the Questions and Dig Deeper

Combining lessons from the Mishnah and Human Resources, we realize that asking questions is the path to greater understanding.
April 3, 2022 Passover Passover Reflections
Blurry image of rice with the words What are Kitniyot and when can I eat it?

What are Kitniyot and when can I eat it?

In the early medieval period, it became customary for Ashkenazi Jews to not eat a category of foods called kitniyot. What are they?
March 31, 2022 CJLS Halakhah
The Four Questions and Living with Mental Illness

The Four Questions and Living with Mental Illness

We have the opportunity to help teens create long-lasting positive connections to the very traditions they are appropriately questioning.
March 31, 2022 Health Illness
Blurry image of cleaning supplies with the words Spirtually Cleaning the Hametz within our souls

Spiritually Cleaning the Hametz Within Our Souls

With all of this physically taxing work, it can be easy to miss the spiritual preparation for this celebration of our collective redemption.
March 31, 2022 Passover Preparing for Passover
Blurry image of child's hand painting with the words Tips for Passover with Toddlers

Tips for Passover with Toddlers

After all of the preparation, all that’s left to do is celebrate the holiday. How do you do that with your young children?
March 31, 2022 Passover Passover with Children
blurry image of seder plate with the words 7 Tips for Hosting Your First Passover Seder

7 Tips for Hosting Your First Passover Seder

If this is your first-time hosting a Passover Seder, here are seven tips to make it a memorable and meaningful experience!
March 30, 2022 How to observe Passover Passover
blurry background of a grocery store with the words freedom and food allergies

Freedom and Food Allergies

How is one with food allergies supposed to feel free when they can’t partake in the matzo balls, charoset, cake, or anything else?
March 29, 2022 Food Health
blurry picture of a table with the words Bringing Teens to the Seder Table

Bringing Teens to the Seder Table

We have the opportunity to help teens create long-lasting positive connections to the very traditions they are appropriately questioning.
March 29, 2022 Passover Passover with Children
blurry cloth with the words: Including non-Jewish guests at our Seder: A reflection on top

Including non-Jewish guests at our Seder: A reflection

Reflecting on the universal nature of the Exodus, as "eternally contemporary; it’s the story of too many peoples."
March 29, 2022 Passover Passover Reflections
blurry image of lots of bread with the words What is hameitz and what do we do with it?

What is Hameitz and what do we do with it?

Hametz, is defined as any food made of wheat, barley, oats, spelt, and rye—that has been made wet and left unbaked for more than 18 ...
, March 22, 2022 Passover What is Passover?
Image of matzah, matzah cover with the word pesah on it in hebrew, and a kiddush cup with the words: Passover, Nisan, and the Fast of the Firstborn: Before Passover Begins

Passover Themes, The Month of Nisan, and the Fast of the Firstborn

Passover, commemorates the exodus from Egypt. On a spiritual level, the festival confronts us with the notion of redemption.
, March 22, 2022 Passover What is Passover?
Image of a seder plate with the words The Seder an overview

The Seder: An Overview

The Passover seder is the cumulative result of untold generations of Jews telling the same story, the Exodus from Egypt.
, March 22, 2022 How to observe Passover Passover
image of bread roll for eiruv tavshilin

What is an Eiruv Tavshilin?

One is only permitted to cook on festivals to make food for the holiday itself, not for other days. There is an exception: eiruv tavshilin.
, March 22, 2022 Holidays Passover
blurry image Hand placing utensil into boiling pot of water with the words How to Kasher Your Kitchen: A Simplified Guide of lots of bread

How to Kasher Your Kitchen: A Simplified Guide

This is a simplified guide on how to kasher (make kosher) various items in your kitchen, especially for Passover.
March 17, 2022 Guidelines for a Kosher Kitchen Holidays

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