NFTY

Holocaust Remembrance Day is usually a time to reflect on the darkest tragedy of the Jewish people in the modern age (and some would say in all of history). The importance of having such a day is indisputable, but personally, I must say I find myself pondering the events of the Holocaust quite frequently. Whenever the temperature is freezing outside and, despite my multiple layers and warm clothing, I still feel cold, I can’t help but wonder how in the name of God people could survive the harsh European winter with only a thin piece of cloth covering their bodies. [...]

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Every year around this season in Israel, there is an awareness that our lives shift during the holiday of Passover. The changing surroundings of spring’s arrival are the first indication of the holiday, as we’re directed to celebrate Passover during the spring.

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By Yehudit Werchow, URJ Central Shlicha .Originally posted on the Union for Reform Judaism blog “וַאֲפִילוּ כֻּלָּנוּ חֲכָמִים כֻּלָּנוּ נְבוֹנִים / כֻּלָּנוּ יוֹדְעִים אֶת הַתּוֹרָה / מִצְוָה עָלֵינוּ לְסַפֵּר בִּיצִיאַת מִצְרָיִם” “Even though all of us are wise, understanding and knowing of the Torah, we are still obligated to tell the story of our Exodus from Egypt.” My Haggadah is a musical one. The themes of Pesach inspire so many of my favorite Israeli musicians, and every year another musical Midrash is added to my Pesach collection. This music is one of the most precious gifts that Israeli life and [...]

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Check your Hebrew calendar! We’re few days away from Tu B’Shvat, the most ecologically-minded holiday celebrated in the Jewish world and nationally in Israel.

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The holiday season is a time to reflect on the bad things we have done over the past year in order to make the upcoming year all the more sweet and meaningful. This is the perfect time to reevaluate how we treat each other and ourselves.

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Chanukah – Po ve’Sham (Here and There) The truth is Chanukah doesn’t carry much religious significance. Indeed, the holiday’s historical basis – the Maccabean revolt and the rededication of the Holy Temple – is described in the books of Maccabees, but it is one of the few Jewish holidays not mentioned in the Bible itself. Nor does Chanukah come with the religious restrictions on work that the true chaggim have (much like the restrictions on Shabbat) other than for a few minutes after lighting the candles. Nevertheless, it’s one of the most celebrated and fun Jewish holidays both in Israel [...]

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