Related Blog Posts on Arts and Culture, Current Events, and Jewish History

Crypto-Foods: A Warm Embrace and the Triumph of Survival

Crystal Hill
October 16, 2023
During the Spanish Inquisition, there were plenty of ways that one could be identified as a Jew. One way people would identify their neighbors as Jews was observing whether they would eat non-kosher food that was popular with the Christian population such as pork, sausage, or fish without scales.

Let’s start at the very beginning…

Cantor Lauren Phillips Fogelman
September 7, 2023
As we are amidst the season of new beginnings - new Jewish year, new school year, and new Torah cycle - we have a wonderful opportunity to explore the many Broadway composers who were inspired by the Biblical beginnings of the Book of Genesis.

Frank Stella: "Had Gadya" and Jewish Themes

Jean Bloch Rosensaft
August 23, 2023
One might not immediately associate Frank Stella (b. 1936), the American painter, sculptor, and printmaker noted for his work in the areas of minimalism and post-painterly abstraction, with a lyrical poem that concludes the traditional Passover meal.

Siman Tov U’Mazal Tov: Astrology and Judaism

Crystal Hill
March 9, 2023
Judaism's relationship with astrology is one that has many twists and turns. Jewish interest in the zodiac can be traced back to the time of the Babylonian exile, which is evidenced by the fact that many of the Hebrew names of the constellations are actually Hebraicized versions of the original Assyrian names.

Thinking Outside the (Tzedek) Boxes

Andrew Kaplan Mandel
January 26, 2023
A camel carrying a load. A golden pair of balanced scales. An open heart and an open mind. These are three of more than two dozen artists' visions of justice and righteousness featured in the invitational exhibition, "Tzedek Boxes: Justice Shall You Pursue."