Jewish Blogs

Bris Milah in Europe

Several different strands are intertwined in trying to ties a noose around bris milah and shechitah on the Continent. They include classic anti-Semitism (which has lost its moral opprobrium), but are not limited to it. A member of Gert Wilder’s party supports a ban on shechita, even though Wilders himself is pro-Israel. The target is the Muslim community. General disdain ...

Bring on the Squish and the Seven Year Scratch

Well, it’s been a minute, hasn’t it? Passover has almost passed, which means two things:This evening the Family Yenta will be scarfing pizza and beer (the root variety for the kiddies, natch) in front of Glee. (Speaking of which, after you’re done here, check out Jay Michaelson’s breakdown of the seder’s Four Sons as imagined through everyone’s favorite show choir charactersin last week’s Forward.) ...

Brilliant New Edition of the Classic Szyk Haggadah

I am glad to say that I have a copy of the New Edition of the classic Szyk Haggadah.Simply put, this is a brilliant book, perhaps one of the finest I have ever held in my hands.Since my childhood I have been fascinated by the Szyk Haggadah. We had a copy in a box in our home. Opening it and ...

Bright Line

I think one of the fundamental challenges or complaints of baalei teshuva is that there is no bright line that defines what is “enough.” And there isn’t.When we stumble, or as the case may be when we stride purposefully, through the Teshuva Portal, we are encouraged every step of the way to the effect that “any” increase in our interest, ...

Brie? No thanks, I’ll take some Jewish food

This Shabbos, our hostess served us a special treat she had bought at the supermarket, a tiny jar of caviar. As I expected, it was revolting. Really, it was one of the most disgusting things I’ve ever put in my mouth. And this is coming from someone who used to eat sticks, and lunch bags.As a kid I had some ...

Bread & Roses, Raisins & Almonds, Labor & Sustenance

This week teachers from around the nation are participating in JWA’S Institute for Educators. The focus is our new Living the Legacy curriculum, which uses primary sources to explore the roles of American Jews in the Civil Rights and Labor Movements. The 24 lessons that comprise LTL include art projects, text studies, and role-playing, all designed to provide entry points to ...

Brand New Hat

Wednesday already? So sorry for my absence, friends. Y’all vote me Best Local Blogger and then I do a disappearing act like some meshuggneh celebrity who can’t handle the spotlight? Promise, I haven’t let the fame go to my head — please, let me ’splain myself: I’ve been busy getting up to speed for my new gig as Director of Communications at ...

Braids Look Great….Use Them In Your Holiday Crafting!

This isn’t a specific project exactly, rather just a little post to give you some crafty inspiration. A few weeks ago when I made a bunch of yarn wrapped vases for a community get together, I actually completed the look by wrapping a braid around each vase. I can’t say that my idea was entirely successful or that it really ...

Book Recommendation: Avodah – Ancient Poems for Yom Kippur edited by Michael D. Swartz and Joseph Yahalom

The dead tree edition of the book is $65.95 at Amazon but… the Kindle edition is $9.99.The rich and informative introduction is worth the price of the book. And if you are teaching a course on the “Liturgy of the Days of Awe,” then you must have this book.In the Kindle edition the Hebrew follows the English, they do not ...

Bone Marrow Drive – Ayelet Galena

In the eight years I’ve maintained this blog, there have been over 800 posts published and yet I’ve never used this blog for a purpose such as this. Until now.Seth Galena is one-half of the creative and comedic energy behind the website Bangitout.com (“Kosher Comedy Community”). I’ve been a fan of Bangitout.com for years and have gotten to know Seth ...

Bob Dylan and Cher: Together at Last

If you love Bob Dylan and the Band — or, indeed, if you’re a huge fan of Cher — this picture might come as a shock to you. Be prepared.It’s no Photoshop conspiracy: Dylan, performing with the band that would later become The Band, performing a duet with the ex-wife of Republican congressman Sonny Bono.Literary-scene honcho and JBooks.com head scribe ...

Blowing The Shofar on Motzai Yom Kippur

Rav Hai Gaon teaches that the custom to blow shofar at the end of Yom Kippur is based on the Torah obligation to blow shofar on the Yom Kippur of the yovel (the jubilee year). The Kol Bo says it is meant to confound the Satan. The Meiri concurs with this second reason but the Shibolei Haleket, the Mordechai, and the Tur mention the ...