I’ve been invited to an aufruf for a friend's wedding. What is that?
Aufruf (pronounced "owf-roof," or more colloquially "oof-roof ") is a German word meaning "calling up" and refers to a synagogue celebration on the Shabbat preceding the wedding.
I have heard that in Jewish tradition, parents are responsible for teaching their children to swim. Is that true?
The Talmud (Kiddushin 29a) outlines fathers’ responsibilities to their sons.
My child is going to sleepaway camp. Is there a prayer or blessing that I can say?
Sleep away camp is a wonderful experience for children. It is an opportunity for them to grow, learn new things, and become more independent.
I'll be traveling soon. Is there a Jewish prayer I can say before I embark on my trip?
Judaism offers us the opportunity to bless both our everyday moments and special occasions.
Is there a Jewish prayer that can be said on behalf of one’s country?
Yes, Jews always participate fully in the life of the country of which they are citizens. Many congregations include a prayer on behalf of the country in Shabbat services.
What happens on each night of Hanukkah?
Two blessings are chanted or recited every night of Hanukkah. The first is a blessing over the candles themselves. The second blessing expresses thanks for the miracle of deliverance. A third blessing—the Shehecheyanu prayer, marking all joyous occasions in Jewish life—is chanted or recited only on the first night.
What is a menorah, or a hanukkiyah?
A menorah is a candelabra, and can be used for Hanukkah if it has nine stems. Another word for a Hanukkah menorah is hanukkiyah. A hanukkiyah has one stem for each of the eight days of Hanukkah, and one for the shamash, or “the helper candle” that is used to light the other candles. Candles are added each night from right to left and they are lit from left to right.
What is a dreidel?
The word dreidel derives from a German word meaning “spinning top,” and is the toy used in a Hanukkah game adapted from an old German gambling game. Hanukkah was one of the few times of the year when rabbis permitted games of chance. The four sides of the top bear four Hebrew letters: nun, gimmel, hey, and shin. Players begin by putting into a central pot or “kitty” a certain number of coins, chocolate money known as gelt, nuts, buttons or other small objects.
What is a latke?
A latke is a potato pancake fried in oil, and is a traditional food eaten to celebrate the miracle of the oil in the story of Hanukkah. Foods cooked in oil serve as a symbol of the legend of the jar of oil that lasted for eight days.
What is gelt?
Gelt is chocolate coins given to Jewish children on the festival of Hanukkah. They are usually wrapped in gold foil, and their history can be traced back to the decision of the Hasmoneans to mint their own nation’s coins after their military victory over the Greek Syrians. Gelt is often used to gamble with in the game of dreidel.