My new son-in-law has expressed interest in Judaism; where can we find a community that will welcome him and help him learn about Judaism?
Reform Jews are committed to the principle of inclusion.
What might I expect when making a shiva call? What should I bring?
Shiva is a time when we reminisce, remember, recapture memories of a loved one. As such, what we usually do during a condolence call is to listen to those memories that the mourner wishes to share or to talk about other subjects initiated by the mourner that may have nothing to do with his or her loss.
How can we explain circumcision to our friends?
Do Reform Jews Believe in the Messiah?
In the Jewish prayer book, the siddur, there are references to an “end of days”: the Temple in Jerusalem will be rebuilt, the dead who were righteous will be resurrected, and a figure known as the Messiah, or in Hebrew the Moshiach, will restore Israel to new-found glory.
I have a chai pendant that I love because it was a bat mitzvah gift. But what does “chai” mean and why is it such a popular Jewish symbol?
What does chai mean, and why is it such an important Jewish symbol?
Why do some Jews say “l'chayim” when making a toast? What does the word actually mean?
“L'chayim,” means “to life,” and is a classic Jewish toast.
Why do Jews give gifts and charitable donations in multiples of 18?
What is the significance of the number 18 in Judaism?
What is a Hamsa? Is it a Jewish Symbol, a Middle Eastern Symbol, or Something Else?
The hamsa is a palm-shaped symbol historically used by both Jews and Muslims in Arab countries as an amulet to ward off evil forces, particularly the “evil eye.”
How Are Hebrew Names Formatted?
We talk about the customary format for Jewish or Hebrew names, plus options for individuals who do not use gendered designations.
What is an appropriate honorarium for the rabbi or cantor who performs our wedding?
Wedding honoraria vary widely by geography and circumstance, so it’s not possible to give a definitive answer.