While many children of bar mitzvah age are unable to grasp all that their newfound responsibilities entail, each one recognizes the occasion as an important turning point in their lives as Jews.
Selecting an environmental mitzvah project is a good starting point. But consider adding eco-friendly substitutes for white plastic tableware, Styrofoam centerpieces, Mylar balloons and elaborate banners. Are your invitations printed on recycled paper with soy-based inks?
Conventional wisdom on the subject maintains that if honey cakes are removed from the oven at exactly the right time –whatever that is — the dreaded dryness will be avoided.
Rosh Hashanah celebrates the birthday of the world. The Jewish/Hebrew calendar follows the cycle of the moon. The English/Gregorian calendar follows the cycle of the sun. Both calendars are divided into 12 months.
\”I really didn\’t want to do it\” said Chiara Greene, 16, of her bat mitzvah. \”When I was 12, it really did not seem that important to me. I was not religion oriented, and I didn\’t want to do something that I didn\’t completely understand.\”
Those were not words that Chiara\’s father, Richard Greene, wanted to hear. \”I kept telling her you are Jewish, you are my daughter, and I want you to have this experience,\” he said.
While I don\’t belong in Christmas festivities, I don\’t enjoy the season\’s organized Jewish events. And so, I\’m more confused than Anne Heche on a trip to Fresno.
The historical foundations of Chanukah are well documented, in the Apocrypha\’s First and Second Books of the Maccabees and \”The Jewish War\” and \”Jewish Antiquities,\” written by the Jewish historian, Josephus, in the first century of the common era. As these sources relate, in the year 167 B.C.E. the king of Syria, Antiochus IV Epiphanes, decreed that only pagan gods could be worshiped in the temples, and the practice of Jewish rituals, including circumcision and Sabbath observance, was outlawed under penalty of death. Although many Jews, looking to assimilate into Hellenic society, acceded to Antiochus\’ decrees, an elderly priest named Mattathias and his five sons (the middle son would become known as Judah Maccabee or \”Judah the Hammer\”) bitterly opposed them and, after raising a rebel army, headed to the hills.
Enjoyable, unique experience, totally different type of job, mostly outdoors, great fun, good pay. Santas needed. Holiday spirit a must.
Stumped by what to buy as a Chanukah present? This year, you can give \”The Rabbi Says…\” doll to someone on your list.
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