My Jewish Life

By Ilana Angel
Published on January 23, 2012

Where it comes from

By Rabbi Dov Fischer
Published on May 3, 2007

Not all of us realize it, but Parshat Emor is one of the most frequently read Torah portions we encounter. We typically read it in May, and again on Passover's second day and on the first two days of Sukkot. It is read on these two festivals because, like D'varim (Deuteronomy) chapter 16 in Parshat Re'eh, it sets forth critical details that define the Torah observances' unique requirements for us.

Pesach—in your own words

By David Suissa
Published on April 12, 2007

If you recall, a couple of weeks ago I asked you if there were Passover experiences that really moved you. Well, all I can say is I'm glad I asked.

The seder offers 15 steps toward empowerment

By Rabbi Michael Gotlieb
Published on March 29, 2007

Fifteen steps or ritual components make up the Passover seder. Knowing that in advance can empower your guests and everyone else gathered around the dinner table. Most haggadot list the 15 steps at the beginning of the text. Think of it as a key, or GPS, to help you navigate through this age-old tradition. In our home, we sing the 15 steps together, repeating them up to the ritual section being observed until we've completed all 15 parts.

Stop sugarcoating intermarriage

By Steven M. Cohen
Published on March 8, 2007

Social scientists, myself included, have charted -- and implicitly celebrated -- the growing and exhilarating diversity of Jewish identities, communities and innovation.

Films: The trials and tribulations of fathers and sons

By George Robinson
Published on December 14, 2006

For so many Jewish men, it always comes back to fathers and sons, despite what Philip Roth might think. Look at the films of Daniel Burman, the rising young star of the New Argentine Cinema.

Jewish bond doesn’t draw all to Holiday observances

By Tom Tugend
Published on September 21, 2006

Statistically, 39 percent of all American Jews, and 44 percent of all Jewish college students, do not attend religious services, according to the 2000-2001 National Jewish Population Survey.

Thrown For A Loop

By Avi Liberman
Published on July 19, 2006

Looping is plugging in background sound for movies after they are shot so they sound more realistic. I had done some looping sessions before, but they were all in English. While this movie was also in English, there were plenty of scenes with Hebrew and Arabic in them. My Hebrew is far from perfect, but I can still pull off the Israeli accent so I was pretty sure I could do the job.

Tisha B’Av Dilemma: Day of Solemnity or Celebration?

By Jane Ulman
Published on July 19, 2006

"There's a challenge for Reform Jews around the observance of Tisha B'Av, and communities make all kinds of choices," said Rabbi Sue Ann Wasserman, the Union for Reform Judaism's director of worship, music and religious living.

Marriage Conversion Rate Proves Low

By Rachel Silverman
Published on June 1, 2006

Fewer than one-fifth of non-Jews who marry Jews convert to Judaism, according to a new study distributed by the American Jewish Committee.

Proposal Advocates Shoah Forgiveness

By Joseph Hanania
Published on January 26, 2006

Oliner's personal turnabout resulted in studies, which still continue, at his Altruistic Personality and Prosocial Behavior Institute at Humboldt. From there, Oliner and his wife, Pearl, have interviewed more than 500 rescuers who risked everything to save others, while seeking no personal reward.

Taking Winter Break on Jewish Time

By Jennifer Garmaise
Published on December 29, 2005

The current schedule was adopted by Orthodox schools in the last two decades, when the Orthodox community made a collective decision to follow a halachic ruling by the great contemporary sage, Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, according to Rabbi Avrohom Stulberger, dean of Valley Torah High School in Valley Village and president of the Bureau of Jewish Education's Yeshiva Principal's Council.

Calendars Remove Anti-Israel Day

By Toby Axelrod
Published on November 3, 2005

The annihilation of Israel is the raison d'etre of the "holiday" that the late Iranian leader Ayatollah Khomeini created after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. It is marked with anti-Israel demonstrations in some Islamic countries, as well as in cities with large Muslim populations outside the Islamic world.

Court Nominee Alito Through Jewish Lens

By Ron Kampeas
Published on November 3, 2005

President Bush's new nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld religious freedoms that the entire Jewish community cherishes, on one occasion strongly defending the right of a Jewish employee to Sabbath observance.

Kosher Stylin’

By Jessica Ravitz
Published on June 2, 2005

I have plenty of friends who keep more strictly kosher than I do, but even some of them make exceptions -- like bouillabaisse in France or lobster in Maine. I deviate when I'm the guest in someone's home, and the options are slim -- my rationale being that it's better to not shame a host than to stick to my half-baked rules.

Listen Well

By Rabbi Elazar Muskin
Published on February 3, 2005

When the woman at the ice rink said to me, "Remember, listen well for when you do you really can achieve anything," she was, in effect, summarizing the message of Parshat Mishpatim: Listen to the words of Torah and you can achieve a just society.

Your Letters

Published on May 20, 2004

Your Letters

Thanksgiving’s Sukkot Roots

By Linda Morel
Published on November 20, 2003

Did you know that Thanksgiving is really a Jewish holiday?

The Few, The Proud, The Jewish

By Mikhail Ekshtut
Published on July 3, 2003

In the entire U.S. military there are about 50 Orthodox Jews -- and I am one of them. Why am I telling you this?

Ask Wendy

By Wendy Belzberg
Published on February 13, 2003

Ask Wendy

Cape Town Clash

By Moira Schneider
Published on November 28, 2002

The heart of the dispute centers on whether Sea Point must observe the standards of halacha demanded by the country's chief rabbinate in Johannesburg, or whether it can adopt looser standards.

Tisha B’Av Times 4

By Rob Eshman
Published on August 7, 1997

Tisha B'Av, the day of mourning in commemoration of the destruction of the two Temples, is notable for at least two reasons. For one, it may be the only holiday that Hallmark hasn't designed a card for. And it seems to be the one holiday that most Jews have heard of, but few seem to know much about. As with quarks and RNA and Rothko, we can drop "Tisha B'Av" into a conversation, hoping all the while that we won't be asked to actually explain it.