What is Shabbat?
Shabbat (Hebrew: שַׁבָּת, also known as “Shabbos” or the “Sabbath”) is the Jewish day of rest and celebration that begins on Friday before sunset and ends on the following evening after nightfall. It is ushered in with (late afternoon) candlelighting, prayers, and feasting on braided bread and other delicacies. And its end is marked with a multisensory ceremony as well.
But I Have Jewish Friends!
Jews are raised to think about all the ways they can help all of humanity live better, healthier, more productive lives. We invented so many medicines to cure diseases, jeans that even this Muslim Cowboy wears, cherry tomatoes you all love i[n] salads, Drip Irrigation so that farmers living in arid land can grow crops and feed their families, phone and computer components and software everyone uses, the baby monitor to save babies lives, the defibrillator, Aspirin for all those headaches Islamists cause the world, and thousands of other world changing things.
Orthodox Union’s Synagogue Initiatives Department an Invaluable Resource for Shul Administrators
With 250 Consults Annually, Department is the Go-To Support Network for Synagogue Executive Directors
ADL Unveils New Online Antisemitism Course for Middle and High School Students
Four-part digital learning experience unravels complexities of antisemitism, helps students to identify and challenge bias
What Does it mean to be Jewish?
Over the last few months, for me anyway, it seems that not a day goes by when someone doesn’t ask me what it means to be Jewish. Since the Hamas attacks of 7 October 2023, that seems to be a question among both our allies and those who seek our destruction.
Purim: The Miracle of Jewish Survival
The Purim story begins about 900 years after the Exodus from Egypt. The Jews had been living in Israel continually, since they first entered with Joshua. For 410 years, King Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem had been the focal point of Jewish spiritual and national life in Israel. The first major tragedy that the Jews of this era experienced was the division of the country into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judea.
How Do You Show Your Jewish Pride?
Little things, simple things, can make a big difference. Your small act, like wearing a small Magen David, can be a source of comfort for you and inspiration for another.
Eva Mozes Kor: Hope, A Reason to Live
It’s three in the morning. Outside, it’s cold, dark, and overly quiet. Within moments, you are awoken by the sound of your door being kicked in. It’s German and SS soldiers.
You’re pulled out of bed. You and your family are pushed down your hallways, punched, and kicked the whole way. An SS officer tells you to grab your things and report to the square below. You’re given five minutes.
What to take? Where are you going? What’s happening?
Are Public Displays of Judaism a Bad Idea?
Are Public Displays of Judaism a Bad Idea? We are going to be sharing a video from Chabad.org. Before that, however, we took a poll and solicited comments. Here are some of the thoughts we received via X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok.
“I always let it be seen I am Jewish,” said Monica. “From October 7th I want the world to know I am Jewish, and scream Am Yisrael Chai.”