Megillat Esther — The book of the exile

Published on February 12, 2013

Purim is an extraordinary festival in the Jewish calendar. It can be distinguished from all the other festivals by the character that it was granted in later generations, but mainly by its most primary source - Megillat Esther itself.

Let it shine with these unique menorahs

By Elyse Glickman
Published on December 6, 2012

Artists and designers in the United States and Israel are broadening and updating the ways in which we pay tribute to Judah Maccabee through the emblematic menorah, commemorating the miraculous endurance of the fabled lighting oil and the resilience that keeps Judaism’s fire lit, so to speak.

Chanukah models of courage

Published on December 6, 2012

My 4-year-old son is obsessed with superheroes, dressing up at every opportunity as the superhero du jour to do battle with the bad guys lurking around the corner. (My 2-year-old daughter is just as enthusiastic, but at her age all she can really muster is a “meanie” face.)

The Endless Madness of Mel

By Danielle Berrin
Published on April 18, 2012

[UPDATE] Gibson’s Maccabee film on hold; screenwriter calls Mel “Jew-hater,” Gibson responds

By Naomi Pfefferman
Published on April 11, 2012

I'm drunk with excitement over Mel Gibson's Maccabee movie

Published on January 13, 2012

Chanukah has come and gone, and Jewish parents everywhere can breathe a sigh of relief. It’s comforting to know that 5772/2011 will likely be the last year that we have to tell our kids the story of the Maccabees without the help of Mel Gibson. Last September, in an announcement that honored its four founding siblings — Hirsch, Aaron, Jacob and Szmul Wonskolaser — Warner Bros. proclaimed that it would finance Gibson’s next project: “The Judah Maccabee Story”! Gibson, who famously quipped (during a 2006 DUI incident), “The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world,” apparently less-famously followed that with, “and I want to make movies out of all of them.”

Holiday Card Etiquette

By Julia Bendis
Published on December 23, 2011

An Afghanistani and Mel Gibson…sounds like the Maccabees

By Lauren Bottner
Published on November 14, 2011

ADL raps Mel Gibson on Maccabee movie

Published on September 14, 2011

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) criticized Mel Gibson following news that he is planning to make a film based on the life of Judah Maccabee.

Soboroff heads effort for ‘Chai’ Maccabiah

By Tom Tugend
Published on June 18, 2008