The Meaning of Memory: A Yizkor Reflection

Published on September 19, 2012

I grew up in a home filled with food and love and laughter and music and Yiddishkayt and stories. I was the youngest of four kids and we were part of a tribe in Boro Park, Brooklyn, with my uncle Nat’s family living on the floor above us, my uncle Ruby’s family living next door to us, and my grandparents living above them. Nobody ever knocked on the door and nobody ever needed a key, everybody was always barging into everybody else’s home.

Feasting after fasting

By Judy Zeidler
Published on September 19, 2012

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is a holiday for serious fasting — no food or drink for 25 hours. At the end of the day, our thoughts inevitably turn to what we want to eat at sundown to break the fast.

High Holy Day services guide: Family services

By JewishJournal
Published on August 24, 2012

For other services, visit our Alternative, College, Free, Kever Avot, Selichot and Tashlich calendars.

High Holy Day services guide: College services

By JewishJournal
Published on August 24, 2012

For other services, visit our Alternative, Family, Free, Kever Avot, Selichot and Tashlich calendars.

High Holy Day services guide: Alternative services

By JewishJournal
Published on August 24, 2012

For other services, visit our College, Family, Free, Kever Avot, Selichot and Tashlich calendars.

Palestinian Khader Adnan tests limits of Israel’s system of military detention

Published on February 21, 2012

As his weight dropped and his face grew gaunt, Khader Adnan became the latest Palestinian cause celebre. Israel arrested Adnan, a 33-year-old Palestinian from the West Bank village of Arraba, on Dec. 17 and placed him in administrative detention.

Day Five of the Cleanse: Fail. The End

By Tamara Shayne Kagel
Published on November 11, 2011

Day Two of the Cleanse: weak, tired, and about to pass out

By Tamara Shayne Kagel
Published on November 9, 2011

Fall Cleanse

By Tamara Shayne Kagel
Published on November 4, 2011

Tisha B’Av Social Justice [VIDEO]

Published on August 8, 2011

Tisha B'Av Social Justice

Jewish leaders fast against budget cuts

Published on March 28, 2011

Leaders of two Jewish groups are joining an organized fast to protest proposed congressional budget cuts to poverty programs in the United States and abroad. The fast, initiated by HungerFast, a group led by anti-hunger activist Tony Hall, takes aim at proposed substantive cuts now under consideration in Congress that would target overseas food aid and domestic programs that provide food stamps, subsidized meals for preschoolers and their mothers, and subsidized heating for the poor.

Recipes for the Fast of Esther [PURIM]

By Jay Firestone
Published on March 17, 2011

Jewish interfaith leaders urge Shabbat sermon about Islam

Published on September 3, 2010

A group of Jewish interfaith educators is asking rabbis to talk about Islam next Shabbat.

Reporter’s Notebook: A Christian makes teshuvah

By Brad A. Greenberg
Published on October 16, 2008

When I looked around I saw a packed, spiritually moved house of Jews, many who looked a lot like me: Chuck Taylor sneakers, thick plastic glasses, the curly hair that always has reminded me of my family's story.

Fast meals to beat the Kol Nidre rush

Published on September 18, 2008

It's a scramble every year, but Jews somehow manage to beat the clock getting dinner to the table on Yom Kippur eve -- the most hurried meal on the holiday calendar

Shuls to observe Tisha B’Av through study, films

Published on August 6, 2008

Tisha B'Av -- the ninth day of the month of Av -- is a day of fasting and mourning to commemorate some of the greatest tragedies to befall the Jewish people, among them the destruction of both Holy Temples in Jerusalem and the expulsion from Spain in 1492

Tisha B’Av 101—the basics

By Amy Klein
Published on July 22, 2007

Tisha B'av is the Fast commemmorated on the ninth day of the month of Av. It begins at sunset Monday July 23, 2007 and ends at nightfall on July 24.

Fit L.A. - The Birthday Party Crasher: Dr. Atkins

By Judy Gruen
Published on January 19, 2006

The timing couldn't have been worse. I was happily toting a batch of homemade bread and a broccoli quiche to a pot-luck birthday party, eager for some good fun and good eats. But I had barely crossed the threshold, when Sandy, the hostess and erstwhile birthday girl, announced that she had lost another 10 pounds on the Atkins plan.

Insta-Love

By Elizabeth Much
Published on December 23, 2004

We had already been together for seven months. Seven perfect months, untouched by reality of modern life. For me, at least. That was until I promised to buy the new mattress he wanted, thinking it would be a good investment for our future. But this led to his chilling reply: "Honey, I don't have a crystal ball into our future."

Yom Kippur in Chad: Fasting a Way of Life

By Rabbi Lee Bycel
Published on October 7, 2004

I am sitting in Adam's living room -- a carpet on a dirt patio. On one side is a small tent for his five children, as well as two nephews and a niece who have been orphaned.

When You Can’t Go Home Again

By Keren Engelberg
Published on August 26, 2004

Ah, the High Holidays. Time to gather, celebrate, eat, fast, repent and eat some more. But before you can get to any of that, there's another, perhaps less-ancient tradition that takes place a few weeks prior. It's the High Holiday scramble, and anyone without deeply planted roots knows how the dance goes. Jewish New Year works much like Dec. 31: You don't want to be alone; there's pressure to have someplace to go; and for transplants, singles and others, the options are less obvious than a meal with the family and services at the synagogue where you grew up. A little originality is called for, and the industrious don't miss a beat.

Ease Out of the Yom Kippur Fast With Salmon and Potatoes

By Judy Zeidler
Published on October 2, 2003

Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, is a time when Jews are required to fast for 24 hours. At the end of this period, family and friends gather for the traditional break-the-fast meal.

This year at the conclusion of services our family and friends will arrive at our home at various times, since they are coming from synagogues that stretch from San Fernando Valley to West Los Angeles.

The transition from fasting to feasting should be a gradual one. Light, simple food is best. These two quick recipes are perfect for the holiday. Just add a few side dishes to complete the menu.

Another Melee Erupts as Women Pray with Men at WesternWall

Published on August 14, 1997

Another Melee Erupts as Women Pray with Men at Western Wall.