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Cleveland kidnappings: We must be our brother’s keeper
The exterior of the house where three women who had disappeared as teenagers approximately ten years ago were found alive on May 7 in Cleveland, Ohio. Photo by Pugliano/Getty Images
7 Rules for Perfect Hummus
When was the last time you opened a tub of hummus and swooned? When was the last time a restaurant put a plate of hummus in front of you, and you said, “Oh my God.” Most of the hummus recipes…
Palestinians mark Nakba with West Bank protests
Thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank marked the 65th anniversary of the founding of the state of Israel, which they call the “catastrophe,” with marches and protests.
- HOLLYWOOD
The Office’s best Jewish moment
Funny music, sad life
On an otherwise unremarkable day in 1938, a chubby but charming student at John Burroughs Junior High in Los Angeles “cracked the code of his comic gift and discovered his…
Filmmakers reveal magician’s secretive world
A British journalist recalls how she once sat down at a cafe with the legendary magician, author, historian, actor and, perhaps, the greatest sleight-of-hand artist on the planet in the documentary…
- LIFE & CULTURE
7 Rules for Perfect Hummus
When was the last time you opened a tub of hummus and swooned? When was the last time a restaurant put a plate of hummus in front of you, and…
Survivor: Irene Rosenberg
“Mommy, I’ll be right back.” Irene Rosenberg — then Irene Grunfeld — said as she was leaving the apartment of her cousin Mancy Weiss, where she and her mother were…
The Divine Wedding and Kiss - Parashat Naso
“O for your kiss! For your love / More enticing than wine, / For your scent and sweet name – For all this they love you. Take me away to…
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What would my Israeli grandmother think?
When I hear about the latest events in Israel – the air strikes on weapons facilities in Syria, the flare-ups over women donning prayer shawls at the Western Wall –…
A hot topic, a great panel, and chance to learn and discuss—immigration at issue
It's a critical time for immigration reform in this country. Washington is getting set to make major changes, the likes of which haven't been seen since the 1980's under President…
State 194: A Documentary About Palestine
Opening this weekend at Laemmle’s Music Hall 3 is a very hot-button new documentary called State 194, which follows the recent history of Palestine. Many will approach this film with…
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NFL, champion Ravens dismiss season opener on Rosh Hashanah
The Baltimore Ravens and the NFL have agreed that the Super Bowl champions will not open their season -- or the league's season -- on the first night of Rosh Hashanah.
Thoughts on the Visioning Process
Conversion: Finding his way to Judaism
Unlike many conversion stories, Michael Hudson’s does not begin with romantic love. Instead, it was inspired by a radio show.
Eastern European giving
Wearing an elegant dress and a name tag, Dasha Fedoseeva flitted among the tables during a recent Jewish community dinner in Moscow just after Rosh Hashanah.
Rabbi reverses interfaith marriage policy
It’s not often that a rabbi’s High Holy Days sermon is interrupted by a standing ovation. But that is what happened — twice — when Rabbi John Rosove, senior rabbi of Temple Israel of Hollywood, dedicated his sermon on the first day of Rosh Hashanah to explaining why he was changing a long-held position and would from now on officiate at interfaith weddings.
Hillel Tigay: The Rock Cantor
Who will live, who will die?
You don’t have to be a Jewish scholar to note a glaring difference between Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and Jan. 1, the secular New Year.
A family in grief chooses life
In July, Ivonne Goldberg was at the park with her 3-year-old son, Mikey, and with Nofar Mekonen, a sunny 14-year-old girl visiting from Israel. Nofar was chatting on and on about her trip to Los Angeles, her family, her school.
September 19, 2012
4 Rosh Hashanah resolutions
September 16, 2012
Obama appeals for reconciliation in Rosh Hashanah message
President Obama delivered an appeal for reconciliation in his Rosh Hashanah message.
Biden at Rosh Hashanah event says ‘no daylight’ between Israel and U.S. on Iran
At a Rosh Hashanah reception at his residence, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said "there is no daylight" between the United States and Israel when it comes to Iran.
The Newish Journal
Is it possible to take a holiday like Rosh Hashanah, which focuses so strongly on human affairs, and apply it to a nonhuman thing, like, say, a community paper? On the surface, this doesn’t make sense: Everything about Rosh Hashanah is about what we do as humans — taking stock of our behavior, repenting for our sins and renewing ourselves for the coming year.
5773
What a year, right? The Jewish year 5772 started with a sense that a military confrontation with Iran is avoidable. Now it seems — all merits aside — imminent.
Why kosher cooking is good for the soul
Cooking has been a passion for me, and passing on my knowledge and experience to a new kosher audience is one of my greatest joys. When my two earlier books were published — “Kosher Cuisine” and “Helen Nash’s Kosher Kitchen” — that joy was mingled with regret at having to exclude so many more appetizing dishes and ideas about cuisine, nutrition and a healthful approach to everyday meals.
A Symbolic Menu for A Rosh Hashanah Meal [RECIPE]
So this is where it all comes together — all the thought, all the planning, the testing. And the tasting, the tasting, the tasting. (That’s the best part). A simanim-inspired menu brings added challenges, but it also adds a level of meaning to your Rosh Hashanah meal. Simanim — literally it means signs or indicators — are meant to point the way to improved circumstances.
High Holy Days: In the rabbis’ words
This year, we return to the wisdom offered by our rabbis during the High Holy Days in years past. What follows are excerpts from some exceptional sermons and High Holy Days writings; many more voices could have been included, of course, but we hope this will inspire you to revisit your own synagogues’ archives.
Kenneth Feinberg: The 9/11 mediator who listens
When massive tragedy strikes in the United States, when half a dozen or a score or thousands of people are killed in a single incident, when disaster hits a region, Kenneth Feinberg often gets a call.
Israel will not receive lulavs from Sinai
Israel likely will not have palm fronds from the Sinai for this year's Sukkot lulavs.
Notes removed from Western Wall
The Western Wall was emptied of layers of notes from its cracks and crevices for the New Year.
The serious side of High Holy Days seating
The philosopher Abraham Joshua Heschel emphasized time rather than space as the major category of significance in Judaism. The first divine hallowing in creation was the seventh day, the Sabbath, not any place or thing. When the child asked Menachem Mendel of Kotzk, “Where is God?” he answered, “Whenever you let Him in.” Not “where” but “when,” and not place but time is the locus of godliness.
Father and son
On these High Holy Days, there will be empty seats in our synagogues. This is a letter found on one of those seats …
All you knead for a bounty of challah
Dipping freshly baked challah in honey is a tradition observed during the holiday of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. This act combines the Shabbat bread with hopes for a sweet New Year.
High Holy Day services guide: Family services
For other services, visit our Alternative, College, Free, Kever Avot, Selichot and Tashlich calendars.
High Holy Day services guide: College services
For other services, visit our Alternative, Family, Free, Kever Avot, Selichot and Tashlich calendars.
High Holy Day services guide: Alternative services
For other services, visit our College, Family, Free, Kever Avot, Selichot and Tashlich calendars.
Sao Paulo declares Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah official holidays
The Brazilian city of Sao Paulo – which has more than 11 million people -- declared Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Ramadan as official holidays.
Friends, Love, God & the High Holidays
Going around the world to break the fast
Breaking the fast has its own set of traditions. Ashkenazim usually break the fast with something salty, like herring, because they believe fish restores salt lost by the body while fasting. Herring also was the cheapest fish in Eastern Europe, where the custom originated.
How to dip your Apple in honey [VIDEO]
Apples and honey
OPINION: Rosh Hashanah and the art of beekeeping
“The Backyard Beekeeper.”The Happiness Hypothesis
Opinion: Repenting with our eyes
Is the mind more powerful than the heart? This question was hovering in the air during an insightful Torah class last week given by Rabbi Yosef Kanefsky, spiritual leader of B’nai David-Judea Congregation. Kanefsky presented two distinct views of the concept of teshuvah, which is commonly referred to as “repentance” but means, more precisely, “to return.”
Opinion: For a Happy New Year, here’s what to do
Jews get to celebrate the new year twice a year — on Rosh Hashanah and on Jan. 1. But there are differences between the two holidays: Rosh Hashanah is used more for introspection, and New Year’s is more a time for celebration and partying.
Israel shuts West Bank for holiday, rockets strike Israel
The Israeli military announced a closure of the West Bank for Rosh Hashanah as two rockets fired from Gaza hit southern Israel.
10Q Project: Answer life’s big questions online … Then reread next year
It might seem odd that 10Q, a project bent on promoting deep personal reflection and penetrating spiritual insight, would engage Joel Stein, a somewhat nihilistic humor columnist, as one of its endorsers.
If you seat them, they will come
Twice a year, many synagogues find themselves dealing with a wonderful but very practical problem: how to handle the huge numbers of people who show up for the High Holy Days and don’t fit in the sanctuary.
Acting rabbi brings rebirth to 1920s shul
For more than 35 years, Temple Beth Israel of Highland Park and Eagle Rock existed without a rabbi. No longer.
Obama reaffirms Israel commitment on Rosh Hashanah eve
President Obama in his Rosh Hashanah message reaffirmed his commitment to Israel and called for reflection on economic hardship and the struggle for democracy worldwide.
The Maccabeats spoof OneRepublic in ‘Book of Good Life’ [VIDEO]
Rosh Hashanah parody of "Good Life" by OneRepublic
Earthquake-damaged New Zealand shul renting for Rosh Hashanah
The small Jewish community in the earthquake-ravaged New Zealand city of Christchurch will celebrate Rosh Hashanah in a rental property because the city’s only synagogue has not yet been repaired.
New machzor delves into heart of Rosh Hashanah
Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, chief rabbi of the United Kingdom, has published enough books to earn his many titles — around 20 tomes, ranging from scholarly commentaries to analysis of contemporary culture.
Wave of new holiday prayer books changing the ways to worship
New Jewish prayer books typically come in waves, the rarest of which bring new High Holidays prayer books, or machzors.
Rosh Hashanah remix to the Muppets’ ‘Mahna Mahna’
Shana Tova!
Sweet season: Apples and honey for Rosh Hashanah
Among the familiar customs of Rosh Hashanah is the dipping of apple slices in honey — but what is its origin?
Gossiping—What you can gain if you refrain
Too often, I realize that people preface their sentences with “I heard” or “they say.” Intrigued by the personal details and juicy information that is likely to follow, most of us allow these sentences to continue and build up into paragraphs consisting of nothing other than questionable rumors and gossip.
If your gut tells you something seems suspicious, report it
On Aug. 30, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) held its annual security meeting at its Los Angeles headquarters to advise local Jewish leaders on possible threats facing the community in advance of the High Holy Days.
Pasadena temple gets Argentina’s first woman cantor
Cantor Ruth Berman Harris has been earning paychecks for leading services since she was 15, years before a cantorial school even existed in her native Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Wrap mind, and body, around Holy Days prep
Traditionally, the weeks leading up to the High Holy Days are a time of account settling for Jews, marked by personal reflection, repentance and prayer.
Rosh Hashanah ‘in the house tonight’ dances into the new year
Aish brings together rhythem, beats and davening for their 'Rosh Hashanah in the house tonight' dancing spectacle.
Dip your apples, it’s Rosh Hashanah
A Rosh Hashanah musical parody by The Ein Prat Fountainheads
Mass. to change ‘12 primary away from Rosh Hashanah
Massachusetts' secretary of state said he would change the date of the 2012 state primary to avoid a conflict with Rosh Hashanah.
Obama, Biden to consult with Jews before Rosh Hashanah
President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden will consult with Jewish leaders on the eve of Rosh Hashanah.
5770 in Israel: Diplomatic crises, but economic prosperity
For Israel, the Jewish year 5770 was characterized by ups and downs in relations with the United States, growing international alienation and a virtual stalemate in Middle East peacemaking -- until the summit meeting in Washington just before Rosh Hashanah.
Jewish interfaith leaders urge Shabbat sermon about Islam
A group of Jewish interfaith educators is asking rabbis to talk about Islam next Shabbat.
Fear, faith, horror movies and the Jewish New Year
Religion has a central place in many horror movies -- think of "The Omen," "The Exorcist," "Carrie," "Seven" and my favorite, "Rosemary’s Baby." It isn't difficult to suggest reasons why. Pageantry, sublimated sexuality, suffering, sin, death -- these are core elements of most religions that are right at home in the horror genre.
Where to find cheap high holy day tickets [VIDEO]
Reporter’s Notebook: A Christian makes teshuvah
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.
Britney repents for Rosh Hashanah [VIDEO]
VIDEO: Alistair Cohen—Shofar Blowing 101
Alistair Cohen, aspiring British TV presenter, demonstrates how to blow a shofar.
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