Category
celebrations
Schmoozapalosers
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.
Waiter, Hold the Knishes
A group of 27 influential Charedi rabbis will soon issue a takhana, or rarely issued formal guideline, setting strict limits on the number of people who are to be invited to an Orthodox wedding, the number of musicians hired to play, and even the type and amount of food that is to be served.
Deep Fry Diversity
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.
Santa in the City
Enjoyable, unique experience, totally different type of job, mostly outdoors, great fun, good pay. Santas needed. Holiday spirit a must.
Bring a Rabbi Home
Stumped by what to buy as a Chanukah present? This year, you can give \”The Rabbi Says…\” doll to someone on your list.
Latkes With a Muscleman
Why wait till tashlich to celebrate your Judaism at the beach? On Dec. 16, Pacific Jewish Center (PJC) will commemorate its recently wrapped renovations with a rousing Chanukah party.
How Can We Celebrate Now?
Jewish Law may define our 13-year-old sons and daughters as adults, old enough to observe the mitzvot, to fast on Yom Kippur and to be called to the Torah, but any parent of a bar mitzvah knows that the mere coming of age does not transform a boy into a man. And, as I learned on Sept. 11, standing just miles from Ground Zero, no matter how old you are, there can be no preparation for such an awakening.
Mixed Message
Results of the two new studies are mixed enough that translating them into policy recommendations will not be easy.
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