Coming a month and a half before the spring equinox and two months before Passover, Tu BiShvat provides a glimmer of springtime at a time when winter can often be at its cruelest.
In Israel, everyone seemingly is in a good mood during Hanukkah. Of course, it’s impossible to be in a bad mood while eating sufganiyot (jelly donuts).
To bake, you need sugar, butter, and flour, a little faith, a lot of hope, and some vision, too. It helps if you’ve also got the Torah of generations that preceded you.
Several years ago, our synagogue held a “Blessing of the Animals” event, creating a sacred moment, not only for members, but also for the animals we care for and love.
Although my husband, Don, and I have lived in Jerusalem for six years, I can’t tell you much about the High Holidays in Israel because we’ve been spending them in Milan.