Jewish Family Living

Parshat Yitro

2012-02-09T09:42:00.000-08:00

Parshat Yitro

Exodus 18:1 - 20:23

Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, brings Moses' wife and two sons to Moses in the desert. After observing how Moses settles disputes among the Israelites, Jethro advises him to delegate chiefs to judge all except the most difficult of cases. Moses follows Jethro's advice, and Jethro returns to his own land in Midian.

On the third new moon after the Exodus, the people enter the wilderness of Sinai and encamp by Mount Sinai. God tells the people through Moses that if they obey God's teachings, they will be for God a "kingdom of priests and a holy nation." The people respond as one, saying, "All that the Lord has spoken we will do."

After the Israelites wait a period of three days for purification, God appears to them in a cloud of smoke and fire on the mountain and proclaims the Ten Commandments.

The people fear that they will die if they hear God speak or if they speak to God themslelves; so they ask Moses to be God's spokesperson in the future. God tells Moses to remind the Israelites that they themselves had heard God speak. Therefore they are to hold fast in their resolve to worship no idols. God commands them to build an altar of earth and to bring sacrifices.

(Synopsis courtesy of Teaching Torah by Sorel Goldberg Loeb and Barbara Binder Kaden)

For your Shabbat table:

Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, suggets that he set up a system for judging disputes so that Moses does not have to decide everything. How do you resolve a problem you might have with a friend or classmate? Is it easier to find a solution when there is a third person helping you resolve a difference?
Through Moses, God tells the Israelites that if they obey his laws, they will become a "holy nation." Why is it important to follow rules? What does it mean to be holy?
The Israelites receive the Ten Commandments during Parshat Yitro - why do you think we have a set of ten when there are a total of 613 commandments? Does this mean those ten are the most important?
One of the Ten Commandments is to "honor your father and mother" - what does this mean to you? How do you honor your parents?

This week's g-dcast:

More Tu Bishvat Freebies and Fun!

2012-02-08T14:41:00.001-08:00

In case you aren't Tu Bishvat'd out already, here is a great article for some more Tu Bishvat fun!

(If you haven't checked out Kosher on a Budget - DO! It's a really great place to get helpful hints and tips on ways to keep your budget low - something that is tough to do for families who keep kosher)

Happy Tu Bishvat!

2012-02-07T18:39:00.000-08:00

Tu Bishvat, or the birthday of the trees (as I learned in first grade), started tonight. If you're looking for some ideas on how to celebrate this holiday, check out this article from Ima on and off the Bima - definitely a good one!

Parshat B'Shallach

2012-02-02T13:07:00.001-08:00

Parshat B'Shallach

Exodus 13:17-17:16

This week's parsha picks up where we left off last week with the escape of the Jews from Egypt. Once Pharaoh okay'd their "release," the Israelites set off, using God's somewhat faulty GPS - instead of taking the more direct route, which would have set them on a path through the land of the Philistines - ripe for a potential conflict, they took a more leisurely route by way of the wilderness at the Sea of Reeds. Along their way, God went before them in a pillar of cloud by day, the better with which to guide them along their way, and a pillar of fire by night, to give them light.

Meanwhile, God hardens Pharaoh's heart, and the Egyptians pursue the escaping slaves. As Pharaoh drew near the encamped slaves, the Israelites caught sight of their advancing foe, and after arriving at the Sea of Reeds, an seemingly insurmountable obstacle, the people begin to express great doubt and fear. Moses lifts up his rod and holds his arm over the sea, and God drove back with a strong wind and turned the sea into dry ground. Once the Israelites reach the opposite side of the sea, the waters close in over their foes, drowning all of the Pharaoh's horses, chariots, and horsemen. Now convinced of the greatness of God, the Israelites, led by Moses and Miriam, sing songs of praise.

As they continue along their way, the Israelites fall victim to great discontent - they go without water for three days before Moses is able to provide adequate drinking water. Shortly thereafter, a hungry people begin to grumble against Moses and Aaron, and they are later given food and manna. On the sixth day, they gather a double portion, for there would be no manna given on Shabbat.

The parsha concludes with an interesting story. After camping at Rephidim, the Israelites are attacked by their first enemy - the Amalekites. Moses instructs Joshua to lead the army, and Moses goes up to a nearby hill with Aaron and Hur - when he reaches the top of the mountain, Moses lifts the rod of God up high, causing the Israelites' army to begin to succeed against the Amalekites. However, when Moses grows weary and lowers his arm, the Amalekites begin to prevail. Moses sits upon a stone and his two companions sit on either side of him; they help to support his arms and Amalek is defeated. God instructs Moses to record these events and to remember Amalek as Israeli's eternal enemy.

For your Shabbat table:

How do you think the Israelites felt when they left Israel?
After the Israelites leave Egypt, it says that God hardens Pharaoh's heart, causing him to give chase after his escaping slaves. Why would God do this?
When the Israelites made it to the other side of the Sea of Reeds, they break out into jubilant song. Why do you think they decided to sing? How can a song help you to express emotions better than simply speaking? What are other ways you use to express yourself?
The Torah includes the Song of the Sea in this portion - take a look at the image of how it is written (at the top of this post). What is unique about this passage? Why do you think it is written that way?
The Torah tells us that several times during this portion of their journey (which ultimately took 40 years!), the Israelites grumbled against Moses and God. Has there been a time when you've "grumbled" against someone? Why? How did others react?
At the end of the portion, it takes two others, Aaron and Hur, to help Moses raise his arms so that the Israelites would prevail over the Amalekites. Why do you think a great man like Moses couldn't do it by himself?

This week's g-dcast:

Parshat Bo

2012-01-26T19:48:00.001-08:00

Moses and Aaron rebuke Pharaoh for refusing to allow the Israelites to go and worship God. Although Pharaoh's courtiers plead with him to obey God in order to save Egypt, the Pharaoh ignores their advice, and locusts, the eighth plague, come to destroy those parts of Egypt left unharmed by the hail. The plague is lifted when Pharaoh pleads with Moses and Aaron, but God once again hardens Pharaoh's heart and the Israelites are not freed. Then the plague of darkness falls without warning - only the Israelites have light where they live.

God tells Moses that the next plague will be the last and Moses warns Pharaoh that God will triumph with the slaying of all the firstborn of Egypt.

Prior to the occurrence of the tenth plague, Moses and Aaron instruct the Israelites in the laws of Passover. On the tenth day of the first month, the people are to slaughter a lamb, smear its blood on their doorposts, and eat its roasted flesh hurriedly in remembrance of the tenth plague and their hasty Exodus from Egypt. In the future, this festival is to be a time of remembrance for the Israelites. For seven days,t hey are to eat only unleavened bread. Further, the people are commanded to explain these observances to their children so that the festival will be a reminder to all generations that God freed the Israelites from Egypt.

The Israelites apply lamb's blood to their doorposts as they were instructed by Moses. In the middle of the night, all the firstborn in the land of Egypt are struck down. The Pharaoh summons Moses and Aaron and bids them to depart with the Israelites. Because of their haste in leaving Egypt, the people take their dough with them before it is risen. They also take spoils from the Egyptians. The portion concludes with the note that the Israelites had lived in Egypt for 430 years and at the time of the Exodus, some 600,000 departed from Egypt plus children, livestock, and a mixed multitude of others.
(Synopsis courtesy of Teaching Torah, by Sorel Goldberg Loeb and Barbara Binder Kadden)

Questions for your Shabbat table:

Parshat Bo is part of the retelling of the Passover story - the Exodus from Egypt. Most families help celebrate Passover by holding a seder at home and eating special food. What are some of the foods of Passover, and what do they symbolize?
Every year when we celebrate Passover, we remember that we were once slaves. Why do you think it is so important that we remember we were once slaves?
What are some plagues of our contemporary society that trouble you? How do you respond to them?

This week's g-dcast cartoon on Parshat Bo:

DIY/Sustainable Hanukkah

2011-12-12T06:59:00.000-08:00

I love social media - how else would I find these interesting little articles that aren't found in the mainstream media!?

Today I found an article on making a DIY Sustainable Hanukkiah for your Hanukkah celebration - check it out here:

The article also linked to this site on Hazon, a Jewish environmental organization. There you can find a list of healthy, sustainable ways to celebrate Hanukkah. There are ideas on making your own green Hanukkah decorations to a list of resources for an eco-conscious, sustainable holiday.

Seeing the Light: Hanukkah and Young Children

2011-12-09T10:38:00.000-08:00

We often forget how to transmit the idea of something for our younger audience. Check out this piece, written two early childhood educators, how to bring part of the Hanukkah story to life.

Parshat Vayishlach

2011-12-08T10:25:00.001-08:00

Parshat Vayishlach

Genesis 32:4 - 36:43

"Jacob sent (vayishlach) messengers ahead to his brother Esau in the land of Seir..."

Our story continues 20 years after last week's parsha, Vayetze, where Jacob left Canaan for Haran, meeting Rachel and entering into a problematic betrothal agreement with her father, Laban, that ended with his marriage to both Rachel and her older sister, Leah. In Parshat Vayishlach, Jacob decides to return to Canaan with his large family, and begins to nervously prepare for his reunion with his estranged brother Esau, whose land they must pass through during their travels. His messengers return with the report that Esau is bringing 400 men to his meeting with Jacob. Obviously threatened by this news, Jacob divides up his family and flocks into two camps, hoping that one will survive if the other faces what Jacob considers to be an inevitable attack. After sending Esau a lavish gift of animals, Jacob begins the process of moving along his entourage. Once he safely sees the last across a river, Jacob was left alone. That evening, he wrestles with a mysterious "man" who injures Jacob in the thigh, leaving him with a limp, and bestowing upon him a new name, Yisrael, meaning "one who has struggled/wrestled with God." Eventually, Jacob and Esau meet without incident and peacefully go their separate ways.

After a brief detour through Shechem, God tells Jacob to travel on to Bethel and to build an altar there. Once they arrive in the appointed place, God appears to Jacob and confirms upon him this new name of Yisrael and reaffirms with him the covenant made between God and the family of Abraham. Rachel dies in childbirth (with Benjamin) and is buried along the road to Ephrat. Isaac dies at the ripe old age of 180, and both Esau and Jacob do their duty by their father and bury him. The parsha concludes with the recitation of the genealogy of Esau's descendants.

A few questions for your Shabbat table:

Jacob's new name was Yisrael, or Israel, which means to struggle with God. What does it mean to struggle with God? Have you ever struggled with God?
A person's name is very important, sometimes telling what the person is like. In the Torah, when someone's name is changed, it means that the person has changed too. How do you think Jacob changed when he became Yisrael? What does your name teach you?
Part of Parshat Vayishlach shows us the tension Jacob anticipated in his meeting with Esau. Have you ever had a fight with anyone in your family? How did you feel? What feelings did you have to wrestle with in order to make peace with each other?
Jacob received his new name after he wrestled with a man (ish, in Hebrew), but his new name says that he wrestled with God, not a man. Why do you think this is? Was the mysterious wrestler a man, or perhaps something else?
Many synagogues are called "Beth El," like the site in this parsha where God tells Jacob to build an altar. Beth El literally means "a house of God" - what do you think makes a synagogue like a house of God?

And for your viewing pleasure, this week's parsha from g-dcast.com, narrated by incomparable Dara Horn:

Hanukkah - New Orleans Style!

2011-12-07T10:02:00.000-08:00

Hanukkah usually brings to mind images of flickering candlelight, the aroma of gently frying potatoes and onion, and the sweet taste of a jelly filled sufganiyah, or donut. It has been a while since I've attempted to make my own jelly-filled donuts for this holiday, but after seeing this post over at kveller.com, I'm highly tempted to try this Cafe Du Monde specialty. Try it out and let us know how yours came out - I think Nutella would make an excellent filling!

Jelly Filled Cupcakes - Hello, Hanukkah!

2011-12-05T11:28:00.001-08:00

You know you are only a few weeks away from Hanukkah when recipes for jelly-filled cupcakes sound PERFECT! Check out these recipes:

Jelly Filled Cupcakes
Lemon Cupcakes with Olive Oil, Sage, and Sea Salt
Deep Fried Chocolate Cupcakes - taking the oil part of Hanukkah really seriously!

Check back to Jewish Family Living for more Hanukkah recipes and activities in the coming weeks!

Parshat Vayeitzei

2011-12-02T08:31:00.001-08:00

Parshat Vayeitzei, the seventh portion in the book of Genesis (Bereisheet), tells of Jacob leaving (va'yeitzei - and he left) Beer Sheva and headed for Haran. Along the way, he stops for the evening, and goes to sleep, using a stone for a pillow. That night he had dreamt of a ladder than stretched up to the heavens with angels ascending and descending the structure. God stands beside Jacob and tells him that the land on which he stands will one day belong to Jacob and his descendants and they will be blessed. Additionally, God promises that Jacob will return safely to his home.

In Haran, Jacob comes to his Uncle Laban's house, and falls in love with Laban's daughter, Rachel. In exchange for Rachel's hand, Jacob agrees to work for seven years. At the end of the seven years, the wedding feast Jacob prepares to marry Rachel, but finds Leah as his bride instead. Understandably upset by this outcome, Jacob confronts Laban, only to be told that it is not Laban's practice to marry off the younger daughter before the older. The agree that Jacob will be allowed to marry Rachel as well, but must work another seven years.

After his many years of servitude and the births of many children, Jacob decides it is time to leave his uncle's home and return to the land of his birth. Jacob and Laban work out an agreement over the payment of Jacob's wages, but Laban's sons are unhappy with the arrangement. With Laban suddenly expressing some doubts as well and the situation becoming increasingly tense, Jacob, Rachel, and Leah decide to leave quickly, not even stopping to say goodbye. On the way, Rachel steals her father's set of idols. When Laban discovers that these important items are missing, he persues his daughters and son-in-law. Laban catches up with the groups, and he and Jacob discuss the matter, eventually resolving a number of issues that had built up between the two of them over Jacob's twenty years with Laban's household. The two reconcile, and Jacob and his family resume their journey.

Questions for your Shabbat table:

When Jacob awoke from his dream, he sensed God's presence and was changed. Have you ever had a dream experience that had such an effect on you?
During his time in Haran, Jacob is the victim of tricks and lies. What do you do when you think someone is not being honest with you?
Have you ever lied to anyone? How does it make you feel? How do you think the other person feels if they discover the truth?
Is it ever acceptable to lie? Why or why not?
At the end of the portion, Jacob and Laban discuss their disagreements and are able to resolve some of their differences. Can you think of someone with whom you disagree with whom you could make peace?

Enjoy this week's g-dcast:

Parshat Toldot

2011-11-24T08:49:00.000-08:00

Parshat Toldot
Genesis 25:19-28:10

"These are the generations of Isaac the son of Abraham..."

Toldot, the title of this week's parsha, means "generations," and this portion of Torah begins by recounting the family background of Isaac in preparation for its description of his adult life. The story of Isaac and his beloved Rebecca is very similar to that of his parents, Abraham and Sarah. Both couples share great difficulty in getting pregnant, and Parshat Toldot begins with Isaac praying to God on Rebecca's behalf, for she is barren. Lo and behold, God responds to Isaac's plea and Rebecca conceives twins. The first twinges of sibling rivalry are felt within her womb, as it says that they struggle within her. The first twin to emerge is red and hairy and is named Esau; the other, born holding Esau's heel, is called Jacob. The twins are quite different from each other with different interests and temperaments - Esau is a hunter, Jacob is a quite individual who chooses to stay in camp. Isaac favors Esau, but Rebecca loves Jacob.

One day, Esau returns from a day of hunting to find Jacob preparing a delicious fragrant stew. Esau comes in starving and demands food. As payment, Jacob, always the wily one, manipulates Esau into selling him his birthright in return for the hot meal, which Esau does with no hesitation.

The parsha continues with the tale of a famine in the land, but God commands Isaac to remain in Canaan and not travel to Egypt so that Isaac might receive the blessings God bestowed upon his father, Abraham (i.e., a great nation and land). There are interactions with local neighbors, some cases of mistaken identity and/or relations (Isaac pretends Rebecca is his sister - much as Abraham did with Sarah when they traveled to Egypt), Isaac becomes wealthy and is asked to leave the area, and a series of wanderings ensue, with Isaac eventually settling in Beersheva and making a peace treaty with the Philistines.

The end of the parsha brings us the end of Isaac's life - he grows old and the time of blessing his offspring is at hand. This is the famous story of Rebecca's intervention that causes Jacob to steal his older brother's blessing. She convinces Jacob to deceive his father by impersonating him - he dons animal skins and pretends to be Esau, in turn receiving the blessing rightfully due his older brother. Jacob, encouraged by his mother's fear of Esau's reaction to this theft, flees to Haran to his uncle Laban's home.

A few questions for your Shabbat table:

The Torah tells us that Jacob and Esau were not identical twins - they looked very different from each other. In what ways - your appearance, your hobbies, the way you view the world - are you similar to other members of your family? In what ways are you different?

Think of a time that you were jealous of a family member of friend. What made you jealous? How did you feel inside? How did you act?

For parents: Describe a time when you acted like Rebecca. For children: describe a time when you acted like Jacob.

In order to get his father's blessing, Jacob had to trick Isaac. Was this the right thing to do? Why or why not?

What could this family have done differently? What advice would you give them to handle this situation better?

Think of a choice you made on impulse. What were the consequences? Would you have acted differently if you had considered the repercussions of your actions?

If Jacob already received his brother's birthright when they agreed on the deal over a bowl of soup, why did he also need his father's blessing?

This week's g-dcast cartoon...

Parshat Chayei Sarah

2011-11-17T13:38:00.001-08:00

Parshat Chayei Sarah
Genesis 23:1-25:18

This week's parsha, Chayei Sarah, or "The Life of Sarah," begins with Sarah's death at the age of 127. By this point, Sarah and Abraham were living in Canaan, and at the time of her death, they had reached Kiryat Arba, a city now located in the West Bank's Judean Hills near Hebron. It was here that Abraham bargains with Ephron, a Hittite, for a burial place and purchases the Cave of Machpelah (sometimes called the Cave of the Patriarchs) and its surrounding field.

Following Sarah's death, the parsha focuses on the next generation with Abraham's decision that Isaac must wed. He sends his servant Eliezer back to, Aram-Naharaim, Abraham's homeland, in order to find a suitable prospect. Upon arriving in the city of Nahor, the servant prays to God to direct him to the woman chosen for Isaac. He approaches a well, the communal gathering area for the city, and decides for himself what he is looking for: if a young woman approaches him and offers some help, she would surely be the one God intends. Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel, comes to the well, and through her kindness to the stranger and her haste to ensure his comfort, it is clear to Eliezer that she is the right wife for Isaac.

Eliezer and Rebekah return to Canaan, where she and Isaac fall in love. The parsha closes with Abraham's death at the age of 137, and Isaac and his brother Ishmael bury him in the Cave of Machpelah beside Sarah.

A few questions for your Shabbat table:

When Eliezer arrives in the city of Nahor, he is alone and knows no one. What does it feel like to be a stranger? What kinds of things can you do to make someone who is new to your school, class, or community feel welcome?
Eliezer decided that the right wife for Isaac would have to pass a kind of test. Why did Rebekah pass Eliezer's test? How can we be more like Rebekah?
When Sarah dies in the beginning of the parsha, it says that Abraham mourned her passing, but the portion says nothing of Isaac's grief until the very end of the parsha. When Rebekah arrives in Canaan, she and Isaac fall in love. It is at this point that he is finally able to mourn the loss of his mother. Why might it have taken the discovery of Rebekah for Isaac to be comforted?
In Chayei Sarah, Isaac's wife is determined for him by his father. As a family, discuss whether there are things children should be able to do without their parents' consent. How does the age of a child affect the answers to this question? At what age should children be able to act completely independently of their parents?

In this week's g-dcast cartoon, take a closer look at the interaction between Eliezer and Rebekah.

Parshat Lech L'cha

2011-11-03T13:15:00.000-07:00

SUMMARY

Last week's Torah portion, Noach, introduced Terach, the father of Abram, Abram, and his brothers, Nahor, and Haran. Terach and his family, including Abram's wife Sarai (whom we are told is barren) and Haran's son Lot, leave their home in Ur of the Chaldeans for the land of Canaan. However, they never complete the journey, settling in a place called Haran instead.

As this week's parasha begins, God says to Abram: "Lech lecha" meaning "Go forth" from your home and father's house "to a land that I will show you (Genesis 12:1)." God promises to bless Abram and make of him a great nation. So Abram sets out with Sarai, Lot, their material possessions, and "the souls that they had acquired in Haran (Genesis 12:5)." When they arrive in Canaan, God again appears to Abram to tell him that God will assign this land (Canaan) to Abram's descendents.

Abram first settles in Shechem, but then moves southward. A severe famine induces him to go to Egypt. Worried that the Egyptians will kill him and take his beautiful wife, Sarai, Abram instructs her to say she is his sister. The ploy apparently works, with Sarai being taken into Pharaoh's palace for the pleasure of the Pharaoh, and Abram acquiring many animals and slaves. God, however, afflicts the palace with a plague and Pharaoh discovers the lie and sends Abram and Sarai away.

Returning to the land of Canaan, conflict between Abram's and Lot's herdsmen develop, and Abram suggests that they go their separate ways. Lot chose to settle in the well-watered plain of the Jordan, near the city of Sodom, while Abram remained in Canaan. Again God appears to Abram, telling him to look in all directions at the land God will give to his descendents.

As the portion continues, an intertribal war breaks out during which Lot and his family are taken captive. When Abram learns of this, he gathers soldiers, pursues the captors, and frees Lot and his family.

Once again, God appears to Abram, promising him a great reward. Abram asks God how this can be, since he is going to die childless. But God promises him that his offspring will be as numerous as the stars of heaven. God directs Abram to offer sacrifices, which Abram does.

Sarai gives Abram her handmaid Hagar to bear a child. But when Hagar becomes pregnant, tensions develops between the two women. When Sarai complains to Abram, he tells her to do what she wants to do. She treats Hagar harshly, and Hagar runs away. An angel of God appears to her and tells her to return, promising her a son, Ishmael.

God again appears to Abram -- now 99 years of age -- repeating promises of the covenant. God changes his name to Abraham, which the Torah ascribes with the meaning "the father of a multitude of nations. God also changes Sarai's name to Sarah. God introduces a sign of the covenant: every male shall be circumcised at eight days old. God also promises that Abraham and Sarah will bear a son, Isaac, who will carry on the covenant. As the portion ends, Abraham, Ishmael, and all the males in Abraham's household are circumcised.

Table talk

In what ways do you think it is important to break with the past, and in what ways must we maintain ties?
The last two words of verse 2 can be translated as it (your name) shall be a blessing, or as you shall be a blessing. What is the difference? Think of one of your ancestors. How was he or she a blessing to you? How has his or her name been a blessing to you?
Abram might have found it difficult to leave family and friends behind, as Ramban suggests, but he packed up and settled in Canaan. When is the draw of a new place strong enough to outweigh ties to a place you’ve lived? Would you ever consider moving to Israel, as Abram did?
Why do you think God insisted that Abram leave his homeland, and his family and travel to a new land? What are some of the qualities that Abram had that enabled him to make his journey? In what ways do you think this journey was both physical and spiritual?
Imagine how hard it was for Abram to obey God and leave everything behind and go to a new place! What kind of person do you think Abram was? Make a list of all the words that you can think of that describe someone like Abram. How many of those words describe you?
Many of our grandparents or great grandparents had to leave the place of their birth and travel a great distance in order to start a new life in America. Do some research into your family history and find out why your ancestors left their homeland.
Think of something new that you would like to introduce to your family's Shabbat observance. This might be something as simple as singing Shabbat songs after dinner or it could be a decision not to do any work or shopping on Shabbat. What can you learn from this week's Torah portion that might help you start on this new journey?

Taken from the URJ Shabbat Table Talk series.

This week's parsha cartoon from g-dcast.com

Parshat Lech Lecha from G-dcast.com
More Torah cartoons at www.g-dcast.com

To Trick or Treat?

2011-10-28T08:00:00.000-07:00

Every so often, I come across a parent who asks, "Is it okay to trick or treat on Halloween?" It's an understandable question - while Halloween today holds mainly secular traditions and themes, it hasn't always been that way. So, as a Jew, is it okay to trick or treat? Is there anything wrong with dressing up and hitting the pavement?

Check out this article over at Kveller.com - much food for thought!

One creative, unique way to join together leftover candy and challah!

Whatever your tradition for October 31, have fun and stay safe!

Parshat Noah

2011-10-27T13:51:00.001-07:00

Throughout the first stories of the Torah, people begin to learn about the responsibilities and boundaries of their relationship with God. In last week's parsha, Parshat B'reishit, we see Adam and Eve punished for disobeying God's rules and learn the lessons involving familial responsibilities taken from the experiences of Cain and Abel. In this week's parsha, Parshat Noach, we skip forward ten generations. The world has gotten so bad that God decides to start anew. Luckily, there was a man named Noah, a tzaddik, someone whom the Torah calls "righteous," which apparently goes a long way in a world filled with murder, meanness, and people generally not treating each other appropriately. It was such a good thing that God tasks Noah with building an ark and saving his family and a whole bunch of animals - seven pairs of "clean" (kosher) animals and one pair of "unclean" animals (b'reishit 7:2). Once the flood waters recede, it is up to Noah's family and passengers to repopulate the world.

Unfortunately, while Noah's righteousness saved his family from the devastation of the great flood, it did not seem to pass through the subsequent generations. By the time we get to the story of Babel, located towards the end of Parshat Noach, humans have grown proud and try to build a tower that will reach the sky. God disapproves, the tower comes crashing down, and humans are left with a number of different languages, unable to communicate effectively.

Some questions to ponder (perhaps at your Shabbat dinner table):

How does the Torah describe Noah? What types of character traits do you think Noah had? How was he different from the other people around him?
In several of the stories in the first part of B'reishit, people are punished for trying to be like God - give some examples of how it can be good to try to be like God. What are some things God can do that you are unable to do?
How many of each animal does God instruct Noah to bring on the ark? Why are there different numbers? Are there animals you think should have been left off? Why?
Noah's family was stuck on the ark together for a very long time - how do you think they felt at the end of their boat ride? Has your family ever taken a long trip together? What was that experience like?
The last story in this parsha has a lot to say about communication - what are some ways your family can communicate better?

Just for fun, here is a quick animated look at Parshat Noach, courtesy of G-dcast.com.

Wishing you and your family a Shabbat Shalom.

Sukkot Web Resources

2011-10-12T13:33:00.000-07:00

Tons of awesome new Sukkot stuff out there on the web. Take a look - some recipes, some art projects, some informational resources - all great stuff!

Check out my Celebrating Sukkot at Home guide for an easy tour of blessings and holiday traditions for your family.

Information about Sukkot

Sukkot quiz

From the Union of Reform Judaism - the Holiday Happenings page on Sukkot and Simchat Torah

Interesting article about Sukkot and Christmas

Sukkot Recipes

Recipe for Chewy Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies (yum!)

Pumpkin Challah Recipe for Shabbat

Sukkah Salad Surprise

Sukkot Crafts & Activities

Recycle Art Project for your Sukkah

Leaf Collage Activity

Making an Edible Sukkah Activity

Shalom Stars Art Activity

More Sukkot Arts Activities

Honey Taste Test

2011-09-23T10:22:00.000-07:00

I was perusing one of my favorite Jewish websites, Kveller, and I noticed they had this article up, telling of a honey taste test. What a great idea for Rosh Hashanah! Take it one step further, and set up a buffet with a variety of apple slices along with your honey selection! What is your favorite this year? Honey Crisp Apples with anything might be mine!

Rosh Hashanah Hannah

2011-09-22T10:06:00.000-07:00

Just a little fun for Rosh Hashanah, courtesy of Shalom Sesame!

Parshat Nitzavim-Vayelech

2011-09-21T08:04:00.000-07:00

This week's portion is actually a double portion - Nitzavim and Vayelech. The Torah is divided up into 54 portions, so every once in a while we are gifted with a double portion. This week is one of those.

Check out this resource for some great family Torah discussions of this week's portions.

For a quick look at some of this week's reading, check out this g-dcast video.

Parshat Nitzavim

Parshat Nitzavim from G-dcast.com

More Torah cartoons at www.g-dcast.com

Parshat Vayelech

Parshat Vayelech from G-dcast.com

More Torah cartoons at www.g-dcast.com

New Jewish Books for the Fall Holidays

2011-09-18T09:06:00.000-07:00

It is September. School has resumed, and families are once again juggling homework and extracurricular activities and finding ways to add meaningful time together to that balance. The Jewish fall holidays, beginning later this month, always led a certain freshness to the season. Amidst sports and music lessons, taking the time to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and Simchat Torah is the perfect way to make family time special.

There are some really great new Jewish books recently released, so as you look to find something new to augment your apples and honey, take a peek at these.

For younger children:

Joseph and the SabbathFish by Eric A. Kimmel

Joseph always welcomes guests to his Sabbath table, while his greedy neighbor Judah scoffs at Joseph’s generosity. Even as his fortunes decline, Joseph’s door remains open. But times change and Judah turns to his Joseph for help. A very special fish helps Joseph save the day. (Grades K-3)

Talia and the RudeVegetables by Linda Elovitz Marshal

“How can a vegetable be ‘rude’?” Talia wonders, when she mis-hears her grandmother asking her to gather “root” vegetables for a Rosh Hashanah stew. As Talia digs in the garden, she collects the twisted, ornery carrots and parsnips – the “rude” vegetables that she thinks her grandmother wants -- and finds a good home for the rest. (PreK-2)

Sadie’s SukkahBreakfast by Jamie Korngold

Waking up early in the morning on Sukkot, Sadie and Ori decide to serve breakfast in the sukkah. But when the table is set and the food is ready, they remember that a sukkah celebration needs guests. No one is awake, so who should they invite? (PreK-1)

For older children:

Green Bible Stories forChildren by Tami Lehman-Wilzig

Beginning with the story of Creation, the Bible teaches us to use and respect the land, conserve natural resources, and save energy. The Bible stories of Noah, Abraham, Joshua and others are retold, and reinforced with activities that will help young readers understand how to nurture and protect the environment. (Grades 3-5)

Hereville: How Mirka Got Her Sword, by Barry Deutsch

Eleven year-old Mirka, living in a contemporary Orthodox community, has more on her

mind than learning the “womanly arts” her stepmother insists she acquire. She is on a

quest to find a sword and slay a dragon, when she encounters witches, trolls, a vicious

pig, and a ghost along the way. Computer generated illustrations in a muted palette

create an amusing and refreshing graphic novel adventure. (Grades 4-7)

Lily Renee, Escape Artist: From HolocaustSurvivor to Comic Book Pioneer, by Trina Robbins

In 1938, Lily Renée Wilheim is a 14-year-old Jewish girl living in Vienna. Her days are filled with art and ballet. Then the Nazis march into Austria, and Lily's life is shattered overnight. Suddenly, her own country is no longer safe for her or her family. To survive, Lily leaves her parents behind and travels alone to England. Escaping the Nazis is only the start of Lily's journey. She must escape many more times--from servitude, hardship, and danger. Will she find a way to have her own sort of revenge on the Nazis? Follow the story of a brave girl who becomes an artist of heroes and a true pioneer in comic books.

For teens:

TheThings a Brother Knows, by Dana Reinhardt

When Levi’s older brother Boaz makes an uncharacteristic decision to join the Marines, his Israeli-American family is shocked. He returns safely but hardly speaks to anyone and barely leaves his room. When Boaz claims he is going on a hiking trip, Levi follows him on a journey from Boston to Washington, DC on foot and comes to understand the depth of his brother’s pain, and his love and loyalty for his family. (Grades 8-12)

For parents:

The Blessing of a BMinus: Using Jewish Teachings to Raise Resilient Teenagers by Wendy Mogel, Ph.D.

Social-clinical psychologist Mogel concentrates on the hidden blessings of raising teenagers in this engaging follow-up to The Blessing of a Skinned Knee. Intermingling wisdom and guidelines from Judaism and adolescent psychology, Mogel compares the teen years to the journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. As kids wander in the "desert" of adolescence, she advises parents to offer counsel and guidance, demonstrate empathy without entanglement, and resist the urge to intervene or rescue. In chapters peppered with true-to-life examples and humor, Mogel examines the blessings of a B minus, staying up late, hangovers, breaking the rules, and a variety of other teen topics, urging parents not just to look on the bright side, but to help kids benefit from the learning opportunities inherent in difficult situations.

Jewels of Elul

2011-09-14T08:48:00.000-07:00

We currently find ourselves in the Jewish month of Elul, a month in which Jews around the world begin to ready themselves for the solemnity of the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, occurring only a month away in Tishrei. Every day in synagogue, the shofar is sounded, as if this trumpeting sound could awaken ourselves to take stock of the year coming to a close and readying ourselves for the days we spend in prayer and personal reflection.

One of my favorite Elul resources is Jewels of Elul, started by Craig Taubman (for more information on this very talented musician, see his website - Craig 'n Co: Soundtracks for Life). For the past six years, he has collected short stories, anecdotes, andreflections from some famous and fascinating people, including Natan Sharansky, Rabbi Naomi Levy, Dr. Shelly Dorph, Jeremy Ben Ami, Rabbi Mark Borovitz, and even Lady Gaga! I encourage you to take a look at these Jewels of Elul, found at http://letmypeoplesing.com/jewels/ and to contemplate their question of the day. You can sign up to receive a Jewel a Day to your email or your Facebook - just follow the instructions on their web page.

September 11th - Parenting Resources

2011-09-09T11:56:00.000-07:00

This Sunday brings us a sad anniversary, one which many of us have difficulty with. This is a link to a variety of great resources for the tenth anniversary of 9/11. I hope they are a great resource for you.

Parshat Ki Tetze

2011-09-08T23:46:00.000-07:00

Parshat Ki Tetze contains a mixture of seventy-two commandments, dealing with such diverse subjects as the treatment of captives, defiant children, lost animals, birds' nests, roof railings, divorce, rights of aliens, loans, vows, protection of works, parental guilt, charity for the poor, regulations for inheritance, and fair weights and measures - phew! The portion concludes with a warning to remember how the Amalekites attacked the weary Israelites in the desert. Interesting stuff for this week!

For a great family resource on Ki Tetze, check out the Shabbat Table Talk on this portion.

And, as always, your g-dcast viewing of this portion.

Parshat Shoftim

2011-09-01T11:38:00.000-07:00

Parshat Shoftim

Deuteronomy 16:18 - 21:9

Synopsis

Upon entering the land, the Israelites are commanded to establish courts of law within their settlements. Judges are told to be fair and impartial, never accepting bribes or favoring anyone.

Again, Moses warns the people against idolatrous worship. An individual accused of establishing alien worship is declared guilty only upon the testimony of two or more witnesses. The penalty is death.

A case too difficult for a judge to decide is brought before the Levitical priests or magistrates for a ruling.

Should the people choose to establish a monarchy after they take possession of the Land, Moses provides them with a framework for how this is to be done. The king must be an Israelite. He should not have numerous wives or acquire great wealth. The teaching (Torah law) is to guide him at all times.

Moses instructs the people not to become involved in soothsaying or sorcery, for these are idolatrous practices of other nations.

Moses warns the people against false prophets and tells them how to identify a true prophet. Moses continues his discourse by describing the cities of refuge - three cities on each side of the Jordan set aside for individuals who accidentally kill someone. Moses further instructs the people to increase the number of refuge cities as their territory increases.

As the portion concludes, Moses discusses the rules by which Israel is to conduct its wars, exempt individuals from wars, and deal with unsolved murders.

For your Shabbat table Torah discussion:

In each of these final portions of the Torah, Moses repeats himself quite often. Why do you think he spends so much time reminding the Israelites of everything that has been told to them?
This parsha is called Shoftim, which means "judges." In this portion, Moses reminds the people that judges must be fair. Is it difficult to always be fair? What qualities must a judge have that would help to keep him/her fair?
There are many rules in the Torah, many of which are repeated here. How do rules help to make things fair? What makes a fair rule? What makes an unfair rule?

This week's g-dcast cartoon:

Parshat Re'eh

2011-08-25T11:37:00.000-07:00

Parshat Re'eh

Deuteronomy 11:26 - 16:17

Synopsis

Moses tells the people that he has set before them a blessing and a curse - a blessing if they obey God's commandments and a curse if they choose disobedience. The choice is given to Israel. In order to possess the Land, the people must follow the laws established by God.

Moses continues his speech to the people detailing all the laws the people must observe. First, they must destroy the worship sites of foreign gods. The Israelites must then establish a permanent and central worship site. They may slaughter and consume meat in their settlements, but they are not to eat of the tithes set aside for the sacrifice.

The people are twice commanded in this portion to consume no blood of the animals they slaughter.

Moses admonishes the people to be wary of false prophets who might try to lure them into worshipping other gods. The penalty for such worship is death.

Moses reiterates the laws of kashrut to the people.

Moses instructs the people to put aside a tenth part of what they harvest and the firstlings of their herds and flocks as tithes. These are to be consumed at the central sanctuary. If the people live too far away from the sanctuary, money equal to the tithe is to be brought there in place of the actual harvest. They must then purchase food and provisions for a celebration before God.

A portion of the tithes brought by the Israelites is to be used to support the Levites, the orphaned, and the widowed. Israel is to observe a Sabbatical year every seventh year. Laws concerning Hebrew slaves are repeated.

The portion closes with Moses detailing the observance of the three pilgrimage festivals: Feast of Unleavened Bread - Passover; Feast of Weeks - Shavuot; and the Feast of Booths - Sukkot.

Synopsis courtesy of Teaching Torah, by Sorel Goldberg Loeb and Barbara Binder Kadden

For your Shabbat table:

In Parshat Re'eh, Moses teaches the Israelites that they should be different from those around them and not copy their ways - they are not to worship other gods and they are to eat differently than their neighbors, observing the laws of kashrut. What are some ways a Jewish home is different from other homes? What makes your home a Jewish home?
Some commentators have written that the purpose of maintaining kashrut is hygiene; others say it is to achieve holiness. What do you think?
Rules are detailed telling the Israelites to support people in need - the Torah says widows and orphans, but we can take that to mean anyone who is in need of help and support. What are some ways you and your family help others in need?
What would you be willing to give up in order to provide food, clothing, and shelter for others?

This week's g-dcast - a music video on Re'eh from Israel!

Parshat Ekev

2011-08-18T11:36:00.000-07:00

Parshat Ekev
Deuteronomy 7:12 - 11:25

Synopsis

By following all the rules established by God, Israel will experience great blessings - health, abundant produce, and fertility. All the enemies of Israel will be vanquished with God's help, and Israel is to destroy all signs of their enemies' idolatrous worship.

A second admonition to obey God's laws is followed by a brief description of Israel's wanderings in the desert. Despite the 40 years of hardship, their clothing did not wear out, neither did their feet swell. Manna was provided for food. God disciplined the Israelites, as a father would discipline his son, in order to teach them to keep God's commandments. Now that Israel is to enter a bountiful Land, the people are cautioned to maintain their faith in God. Moses reminds them to give thanks continually to God for the abundance provided. The people should never assume it is by their own hand that they enjoy the fruits of the Land - all that they have is from God.

By not following God's commandments, Israel would doom itself.

Moses recounts to the Israelites all their acts of defiance: the making of the Golden Calf, complaining about the food and the water, and the incident of the spies. He reminds the people how he interceded with God on their behalf. Because of these pleadings, Israel is still able to enter Canaan.

Moses tells the people that all God wants is that Israel remain faithful to God's laws, worship God, and behave appropriately toward orphans, widows, and strangers. Such acts will result in blessings and prosperity.

This synopsis can be found in Teaching Torah by Sorel Goldberg Loeb and Barbara Binder Kadden.

For your Shabbat table:

In Parshat Ekev, Moses reminds the Israelites to thank God for everything they receive in the new land of Canaan. What are some ways that you thank God for what you have? How frequently do you remember to thank God?
At the end of the parsha, Moses tells the people that it is important to remember God's laws and to live by them. What are some ways you remember to live by the Torah and God's laws?
Jews are instructed to behave appropriately towards orphans, widows, and strangers. What do you think this mean? What is special about widows, orphans, and the stranger, and what can that tell us about how we should behave towards others?

Time for some Torah toons!

Parshat Va'etchanan

2011-08-11T11:36:00.001-07:00

Moses continues in his speech to the people, exhorting them to observe the laws and rules given them so that they may enter and occupy the Promised Land. The people are specifically cautioned to follow the entire law. They must not add or delete from that which God has commanded them.

Moses details the very special relationship that God has with the people Israel and emphasizes that this unique connection should in no way be jeopardized. Moses intersperses his warnings to the people with descriptions of various statutes and commandments. These include:

The cities of refuge - cities which are set aside to protect individuals who accidentally kill someone.
A repetition of the Ten Commandments
The first paragraph of the Shema
The prohibition against intermarriage between the Israelites and the nations slated to be dislodged from the Promised Land.

Synopsis courtesy of Teaching Torah, by Sorel Goldberg Loeb and Barbara Binder Kadden

Questions for your Shabbat Table:

Moses reminds the people Israel of their special relationship with God. How is your relationship with God special?
How do you show your love for God? How does your family show their love for God?
One of the reminders Moses includes at the end is the first paragraph of the Shema, which many Jews recite before going to bed at night. Why do Jews say the Shema before going to sleep?
Why do you think Moses repeated those statutes? What is important about each of those rules that he wanted the Israelites to remember?

This week's g-dcast cartoon:

Tisha B'Av

2011-08-08T13:24:00.000-07:00

Tonight begins one of the most solemn holidays of the Jewish calendar - Tisha B'Av. It seems that the holidays that fall during the school year tend to get the most attention, so many people do not know much of this holiday or what it commemorates. Jewish Treats, one of my favorite websites, posted this article about Tisha B'Av - check it out!

Parshat Pinchas

2011-07-14T14:00:00.001-07:00

Parshat Pinchas
Numbers 25:10-30:1
Synopsis:

Pinchas is the son of the priest Eleazar. Because of his zeal in slaying the Israelite man and the Midianite woman (see Numbers Balak), Pinchas receives a special reward. The high priesthood becomes the possession of his descendants for all time.

At the border of Moab near Jericho, Moses and Eleazar take a census of all male Israelites over 20 years of age, considered able to bear arms. The total is 601, 730. Also counted are 23,000 Levite males from the age of one month. They are counted separately; since they are not eligible for military service; nor are they to receive land. Of those counted, only Joshua, Caleb, and Moses had been counted in the first census in the wilderness of Sinai. All adults who had been a part of the first census after the Exodus died in the desert as decreed by God.

God tells Moses that the land is to be divided among the tribes according to the census. Each section of land, however, is to be assigned by lot.

Five daughters of Zelophehad protest the injustice that land was not given to their family solely because their father had no sons. God advises Moses that the plea of the daughters is just. Moses proclaims a general rule that property is to be inherited in the following order: sons are to inherit first, but if there are no sons, property is to be assigned to daughters. In cases where there are no children, the property of a man is to pass to his brothers, and if there are no brothers, the nearest relative shall inherit.

God tells Moses to ascend the moutnains of Avarim to see the land given to the Israelites. Moses is to prepare to die there. Because of his act of disobedience at the waters of Meribat-Kadaysh, he is not to enter the Promised Land. Moses asks God to appoint a new leader of the community. He is told to ordain Joshua the son of Nun in the sight of Eleazar and the whole Israelite community.

The portion concludes with a detailing of the daily, Sabbath, monthly, and festival sacrifices to be brought before God.Synopsis courtesy of Teaching Torah, by Sorel Goldberg Loeb and Barbara Binder Kadden

For your Shabbat table:

During this week's portion, we learn that the next leader of the Israelites will be Joshua. Who are the leaders of Israel's family who come before Joshua?

What qualities does a good leader possess?
If you were responsible for picking a leader, what type of person would you look for?
Moses was the leader of the Israelites for a very long time. How do you think he felt when he had to start preparing Joshua to take over this important role?
Put yourself in Joshua's place - how would you have felt taking over for Moses? Would it be difficult to take over at the same time as you lost your leader and mentor?

Enjoy a different look at this week's portion via g-dcast:

Free Hebrew Books

2011-07-05T09:54:00.000-07:00

From now until July 15th, you can sign up your child to receive free books in Hebrew. Every month, your child (ages 3-5, the website says) will receive a book in Hebrew. This is part of the PJ Library program I wrote about a while back, which sends monthly books with Jewish content to children.

To sign up for the free Hebrew books, click on the link above or here.

Happy reading!

Parshat Kedoshim - April 30, 2011

2011-04-28T12:38:00.000-07:00

Parshat Kedoshim (Leviticus 19:1 - 20:27)

Synopsis: Parshat Kedoshim

In this portion, God tells Moses to instruct the entire Israelite community in the laws of holiness. The Israelites are to be holy because God is holy. Therefore, they are to observe the commandments and the laws of the sacrifices. They are to provide for the poor and the stranger, leaving the edges of the fields unharvested and the fallen fruits of their vineyards ungleaned, so that the needy can come and gather food.

The Israelites are told not to insult the deaf or place a stumbling block before the blind and to show respect for the elderly. They are to be fair in judgment and in commerce and they are not to bear a grudge. Moses tells them further to love their neighbors as themselves and to love the strangers in their midst, for the Israelites were strangers themselves in the land of Egypt.

The Israelites are not to mix different species of cattle or seed and tehy are not to wear clothes made from a mixture of two kinds of material.

Moses also reviews the prohibited sexual relations and the punishments for these.

All these laws the Israelites are to observe so that they may be holy to God, Who has set them apart from other peoples, freed them from slavery in Egypt, and chosen them as God's people.

Synopses courtesy of Teaching Torah, by Sorel Goldberg Loeb and Barbara Binder Kadden

For your Shabbat table:

God told the Israelites that they would be holy. What do you think it means to be holy? How are you holy?
How can you act in a holy way?
What are some holy things that your family can do together that you could not do by yourself? How can doing these things together bring you closer to God?
In Parshat Kedoshim, we are told to respect the elderly. What does it mean to respect someone? How is it different from "honor"? Why do you think the Torah uses both these words? What word would you use to describe the ideal relationship between a child and a parent? Why do you think the Torah does not use the word "love"?

And now.. the parsha in cartoon form - courtesy of g-dcast.com:

Kedoshim:

Shalom Sesame: It's Passover, Grover! On PBS this Month!

2011-04-14T13:19:00.000-07:00

After a long hiatus, there are new episodes of Shalom Sesame available on DVD. During the month of April, PBS is airing the Passover episode - "It's Passover, Grover!" Check out PBS to see when it is airing where you live.

For local listings, as well as other Passover resources, check out: http://www.pbs.org/parents/shalomsesame/

Passover Movies - Kveller, Jewish Family & Children

2011-04-14T11:18:00.000-07:00

Want a review of some of the great (and not so great) Passover movies? How about a review... by kids? Check out the link below, courtesy of Kveller.com.

Passover Movies - Kveller, Jewish Family & Children

Passover Resources, Revisited

2011-04-14T09:43:00.000-07:00

I am in the process up writing a post with some of the newer Passover resources available online. As I do so, please revisit some of the resources I have posted in the past. You can find all Passover-related ones by clicking here: http://jewishfamilyliving.blogspot.com/search/label/Passover

Parshat Acharei Mot

2011-04-13T09:43:00.000-07:00

Parshat Acharei Mot (Leviticus 16:1 - 18:30)

Synopsis: Parshat Acharei Mot

After the death of Nadab and Abihu, God tells Moses to instruct Aaron not to come freely into the Holy of Holies. Only once a year, on the tenth day of the seventh month, is the High Pries to enter the shrine behind teh curtain. This is the day on which atonement is to be made for all the sins of the Israelites. No work is to be done on this day, and on it the Israelites are to practice self-denial.

On the Day of Atonement, when the High Priest enters the Holy of Holies, he is to wear plain linen robes and he is to make expiation for himself and for his household and then for all of the Israelites.

Then the High Priest is to take two male goats and, by lot, mark one for GOd and one for Azazel. He is to slaughter the goat marked for God as a sin offering and use its blood to cleanse the Tent of Meeting, the altar, and the Holy of Holies of the sins of the people. Then Aaron is to confess all the sins of the Israelites over the goat for Azazel, and the goat is to be sent off into the wilderness.

In this portion, Moses is told further to instruct the Israelites that all meat is to be slaughtered in a ritual way before the Tent of Meeting. The people are reminded not to consume blood, for blood represents life itself, and not to eat of an animal that has died or been torn by wild beasts.

Finally, Moses details for the Israelites forbidden sexual relationships. Relationships between blood relations are considered incestuous. The Israelites are told not to copy the practices of the Egyptians or the Canaanites; rather, they are to live by God's laws and rules.

For your Shabbat table:

God told the Israelites that they would be holy. What do you think it means to be holy? How are you holy?

How can you act in a holy way?

What are some holy things that your family can do together that you could not do by yourself? How can doing these things together bring you closer to God?

And now.. the parsha in cartoon form - courtesy of g-dcast.com:

New Passover Song

2011-04-03T07:36:00.000-07:00

With Passover only minutes away (or at least it seems like that to those who are trying to finish eating up all of their chametz and get ready to scrub their kitchens clean), it is the perfect time to share a new video and song from the Macaroons - one of my favorite Jewish bands for kids. Enjoy!

Parshat Terumah

2011-02-03T13:46:00.000-08:00

This week's portion details the building of the mishkan - and boy are the details specific! Learn more about the portion and study it with your family this Shabbat!

Kveller.com

2011-01-24T12:17:00.000-08:00

I am away at a Jewish educators conference this week, and just stumbled upon a wonderful Jewish parenting resource - Kveller.com. Aimed at new parents with babies through preschoolers, it looks to be a fantastic site with articles, activities, recipes, and so on. Please check it out and play around - really great stuff to be found here.

Parshat Yitro

2011-01-21T10:50:00.001-08:00

This Shabbat, we read Parshat Yitro, which includes the first iteration of the Ten Commandments in the Torah. Check out a synopsis and dicussion questions for your family's Shabbat table.

Talking Trees

2011-01-14T06:32:00.000-08:00

This Thursday we celebrate the holiday of Tu Bishvat.
For more information and ideas on Tu Bisvhat, check out this post.

How did Tu B'Shevat get its name?

Each letter of the Hebrew alphabet also stands for a number. For example, alef is one, bet is 2, gimmel, 3.Tu b’shvat falls on the 15th day of Sh’vat. The letters tet (9) and vav (6) put together add up to 15 and make the sound Tu. That is how the holiday got its name.

Here are some ways you can celebrate the holiday with crafts:

Create collages using seeds and nuts

Make food for birds by rolling pine cones in peanut butter and bird seed. Hang the feeder in a tree.

Make actual or virtual Tu b’shvat scrapbooks using pictures (or web-based images) of trees, farm life, animals, and anything else that can be linked to nature or farm life in Israel.

Plant parsley to harvest for Pesach

Thanks to Behrman House Publishing for the ideas and information above.

Parshat B'Shallach

2011-01-13T10:09:00.000-08:00

This week's Torah portion, B'shallach, continues the story of the Israelites journey out of the land of Egypt. It contains one of the most interesting sections of the Torah - the Song of the Sea. Check out the synopsis of this week's portion, find some questions to use with your family, check out the g-dcast video, and see a picture of what the Song of the Sea looks like in the Torah!

In Flows Shevat

2011-01-06T13:36:00.000-08:00

The following is an interesting read about the Jewish month that starts today - Shevat. The original is found on the Jewish Treats blog, where you can find articles like this on a wide variety of Jewish topics. Enjoy!

In Flows Shevat
Despite what one might expect, Jewish tradition does not dismiss the signs of the zodiac (Click here for a Treat on Jewish Months and the Zodiac). In fact, it is quite interesting to see how the astrological symbolsrelate to the actual months to which they are assigned.

The month of Shevat is represented by the water-bearer (known generally as Aquarius). Water is life, and indeed, it makes sense that the water-bearer represents the month of Shevat. The one Jewish holidaythat is celebrated this month is Tu Bish’vat, the 15th of Shevat, which is traditionally the New Year of the trees. This usually strikes people as odd, since Tu Bish’vat generally occurs during the coldest days of winter. But, deep beneath the surface, the root system has been drawing water from the earth, and the sap begins to move upward into the trees. Life begins again its process of renewal.

Water, one of the four elements of nature, is often seen as a symbol of Jewish learning. The Torah itself is referred to as “mayim chaim,” living waters. The reference is that, similar to flowing (living) waters, the Torah constantly brings new life to people. The Torah tells us (Deuteronomy 1:5), that on the first of Shevat, "on the other side of the Jordan, in the land of Moab, Moses began to explain this Torah... "

Parshat Bo

2011-01-06T13:32:00.000-08:00

Take a look at this week's portion, Bo - you might recognize the story of a favorite Jewish holiday!

The Jew and the Carrot

2011-01-05T12:01:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite blogs is The Jew and the Carrot, a project of Hazon. Hazon, Hebrew for "vision," is America's largest Jewish environmental group and, among other topics of interest, does much work in the area of food. The following is a post from their blog about cooking with your children and the inherent Jewish values involved. The original article can be found here.

Teaching the Next Generation To Cook

By Rachel Kahn-Troster

My 3-year-old daughter clambers into the car at the end of a long day, asks me what’s for dinner. When I tell her turkey burgers, her voice gets hopeful. “We cook it?” No, I made it the night before. But, she reminds me that we bought the ingredients together in the store. As I begin to worry about a child-sized guilt trip, she is happily chatting away about something else.

Liora loves to be in the kitchen with me. No matter how beloved the play date, if she sees me head for the cutting board, she is dragging her stool next to me to be able to watch what is being chopped on the counter. She mixes scrambled eggs, rolls out (and mushes) cookie dough, and gets her hands sticky with ricotta gnocchi. One of her favorite bedtime stories is a book from PJ Library about baking challah, “It’s Challah Time”; and I am trying to muster the courage to actually try out the cupcake decorating set she got for Hanukkah.

With my big girl as my sous chef, I often reflect on the passage in the Talmud that outlines the responsibilities of parents to their children: teaching them Torah, providing them with a trade and getting them married (some also say: teaching them to swim). To my ear, this sounds like parents are required to provide their kids with the skills to live productive, independent lives, and so teaching my kids to cook falls naturally for me into this mitzvah. I don’t need to raise a gourmet cook, but I think basic life skills include knowing how to scramble an egg and make tomato sauce from scratch. So much of Jewish tradition, particularly among women, has been passed down through cooking and eating together. What happens in the kitchen is an ongoing collective memory, and it is my responsibility to adapt and pass that along as much as I pass along the importance of Shabbat or tzedakah.

With childhood obesity rates rising, how and what kids eat is heavily scrutinized. We are told that kids are more likely to eat food that they have helped buy and prepare themselves, but I know from personal experience (and my kids are not picky eaters) that there is not always a straight line between helping cook something and actually eating it. Given how competitive contemporary parenting can be, I worry that saying that I cook with Liora will be seen as bragging about raising a precocious sustainable Jewish foodie, rather than a simple description of what my daughter and I do during our time together. My kid cooks for the same reason other kids watch football or play dress up: to imitate and spend time with their parents. There is no agenda here, just life in motion.

But isn’t the kitchen dangerous? A friend of mine with a child Liora’s age recently asked me how I taught her not to touch the pan, given how well 3 year olds follow instructions. While I have reminded her many times that the stove and the oven are hot, and that not following Mummy’s instructions means no cooking, what has convinced her not to touch the pan is having accidentally touched it. Not enough to hurt herself, but enough to now be the one warning me “Stand back, very hot, no touch it.”

Cooking with your kids requires letting go, and trust. After all, they can’t learn to swim if you never let them out of your arms.

Teaching the next generation to cook has to be part of a Jewish food mindfulness and an essential part of independence, not a niche skill for those who have the time. It is not enough that the ingredients be sustainable but that we nurture the understanding of how that food got into our mouths, not just the farmers who grow the food but the people who prepare it. If our kids cook with us, we ensure that they know that not all food comes from a package at the store, and that they can be part of the creative process of food. Indeed, they will see that food is creative, an art form like painting or music. By cooking with their parents, they will learn family stories and write new ones. It becomes part of their personal Torah, the heritage they leave to the next generation.

Cookbook Recommendations for Kids:

• Mollie Katzen, of Moosewood fame, has written two cookbooks for younger kids that simple have illustrated instructions alongside the recipe. All of her recipes are vegetarian, though not vegan: “Pretend Soup and Other Real Recipes,” and “Salad People and More Real Recipes,” by Molly Katzen

• There are several Sesame Street cookbooks but this one goes beyond cookies and other snack food: “‘C’ is for Cooking,” by Susan McQuillan and the Sesame Workshop

• Another good kids cookbook: “Kosher by Design Kids in the Kitchen,” by Susie Fishbein

• This is not a kids’ cookbook, but it inspired me to first take up knife and skillet when I was in high school, and older kids will find it funny: “In the Kitchen with Miss Piggy,” by Moi

Rabbi Rachel Kahn-Troster is Director of Education and Outreach for Rabbis for Human Rights-North America. She serves on the board of Hazon.

Parshat Miketz

2010-12-02T18:22:00.000-08:00

It's time for a story with many dreams. Check out this week's portion - Miketz.

Fun Hanukkah Tune

2010-11-30T05:51:00.001-08:00

I love when a cappella groups take on current songs and make them interesting. I especially love when they rewrite the lyrics, especially when it's a Jewish group! Check out YU's (Yeshiva University) group, the Maccabeats, with their song "Candlelight," a take off of Taio Cruz's "Dynamite."

G-dcast Spins Hanukkah!

2010-11-14T07:58:00.000-08:00

If you are a regular reader of this blog, or even just pop in once in a while, you know that we love g-dcast - a website that posts weekly cartoon interpretations of the weekly Torah portion. They're smart, funny, and relevant!

I posted this last year in time for Hanukkah, and thought I would post it again. Time to revisit the story of Hanukkah - is it the one you remember from your childhood? Any differences?

Consider these questions once you view the clip:

What are the four letters on the sides of a dreidel? What do they stand for?
What sorts of things did the Greeks outlaw?
What did the Greeks do to the Temple?
How did people react to the new Greek laws? What were the different reactions?
What were the different ways in which people rebelled?
What was the one miraculous thing, according to the narrator?
What happened when the Maccabees finally won?
How long did the oil last?

Hanukkah Prep

2010-11-11T21:46:00.000-08:00

While its date in the Jewish calendar is always the same (the 25th day of the month of Kislev), Hanukkah falls early in our secular calendar, landing only a few weeks from now on December 1st. While the sales frenzy of this time of year is only starting to get revved up (Black Friday, anyone?), now is the time to take a measured look at what gifts your family will give and receive this holiday.

Books

What a wonderful time to give Jewish books to your family. Last year I wrote about PJ Library, a free program in some communities that will send your child a free Jewish book every month. If you do not happen to live in one of these sponsored communities, you can purchase a subscription. This will extend the giving year-round.

Want to pick some books out for your children? There are a number of good sources for Jewish books - here is Kar-Ben's Hanukkah collection, and you can find a large number of Jewish books on a number of topics.

Behrman House, another Jewish publisher, has a Hanukkah catalog, which you can find here. Use discount code HAN2010 for 20% off.

Shalom Sesame

Brand new for 2010 - Shalom Sesame, a hybrid version of Sesame Street and Rechov Sumsum (Sesame Street in Hebrew, literally), is a fun show that introduces children to Israel and Jewish holidays. Check out the web page for the new show - you can purchase the first two episodes here - #1: Welcome to Israel, and #2: Chanukah - the Missing Menorah (which I will review on the blog next week).

Give Back

Many of us are quite fortunate to have the resources to provide gifts for our children during this fun holiday. Take one evening, and instead of giving gifts (if it is your practice to give gifts each night, or even if it is not your tradition at all), give to others who need the extra boost. Perhaps you can pick an organization together as a family, and take the money you would have spent on gifts and donate it instead. Another option is to go shopping and pick up items that a local food bank, soup kitchen, or other worthy place could distribute. Helping to pick out the items to be donated could be a very meaningful activity for your family.

Check back for more holiday resources coming soon!

Parshat Vayeitzei

2010-11-10T20:29:00.000-08:00

Questions for your Shabbat table:

When Jacob awoke from his dream, he sensed God's presence and was changed. Have you ever had a dream experience that had such an effect on you?
During his time in Haran, Jacob is the victim of tricks and lies. What do you do when you think someone is not being honest with you?
Have you ever lied to anyone? How does it make you feel? How do you think the other person feels if they discover the truth?
Is it ever acceptable to lie? Why or why not?
At the end of the portion, Jacob and Laban discuss their disagreements and are able to resolve some of their differences. Can you think of someone with whom you disagree with whom you could make peace?

Enjoy this week's g-dcast:

Parshat Chayei Sarah

2010-10-28T21:41:00.000-07:00

This week we read Chayei Sarah, the parsha that literally means "the life of Sarah," but begins with the announcement of her death. Among other notable details, in this portion we find the first purchase of land in Israel by a Jew (Abraham purchasing the family burial cave called Machpelah) and the love story between Isaac and Rebecca. To read more and find discussion questions for your family's Shabbat table, click here.

For an interesting take on this portion, read Living a Full Life, an article found on myjewishlearning.com.

Another fun website for kids is Torah Tots. Check out their page for Chayei Sarah, which includes information about the portion, some games, and so much more.

Top Ten Rituals for Your Family

2010-10-22T10:00:00.000-07:00

The Jewish year is off to a great start now that we have made it through the biggest holidays of the year. I love this list that one of my favorite blogs - Homeshuling: A Jewish Parenting Blog - published a few months back. A compilation of some wonderful holiday-related activities for your family, each can be done in a meaningful and memorable way.

http://blog.beliefnet.com/homeshuling/2010/08/homeshulings-top-ten.html

Parshat Vayeira

2010-10-21T09:34:00.000-07:00

This week we read Parshat Vayeira, the portion of the Torah that predicts the birth of Isaac, details the attempted redemption and destruction of Sodom and Gemorrah, and ends with Isaac's birth, the banishment of Hagar and Ishmael, and the binding of Isaac. To read more about Vayeira, including some discussion questions, see this post.

Parshat Ki Teitzei

2010-08-19T09:23:00.000-07:00

Justice, Justice You Shall Pursue

2010-08-13T10:38:00.000-07:00

Parshat Shoftim

Deuteronomy 16:18 - 21:9

Synopsis

Upon entering the land, the Israelites are commanded to establish courts of law within their settlements. Judges are told to be fair and impartial, never accepting bribes or favoring anyone.

A case too difficult for a judge to decide is brought before the Levitical priests or magistrates for a ruling.

Moses instructs the people not to become involved in soothsaying or sorcery, for these are idolatrous practices of other nations.

As the portion concludes, Moses discusses the rules by which Israel is to conduct its wars, exempt individuals from wars, and deal with unsolved murders.

For your Shabbat table Torah discussion:

In each of these final portions of the Torah, Moses repeats himself quite often. Why do you think he spends so much time reminding the Israelites of everything that has been told to them?
This parsha is called Shoftim, which means "judges." In this portion, Moses reminds the people that judges must be fair. Is it difficult to always be fair? What qualities must a judge have that would help to keep him/her fair?
There are many rules in the Torah, many of which are repeated here. How do rules help to make things fair? What makes a fair rule? What makes an unfair rule?

This week's g-dcast cartoon:

Rosh Hodesh Elul

2010-08-11T10:02:00.000-07:00

Today is the first day of the Hebrew month of Elul, the month immediately preceding the High Holy Days and a time of personal reflection. I encourage you to take a look at the Jewels of Elul website - http://jewelsofelul.com/- (you can have them delivered to your email every day, as well!) as a way to begin to prepare yourself for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

Additionally, I'd like to reprint a listserve article I received last year from Doron Kornbluth, an educator in Israel. You can sign up for his listserve - many of the articles have proven to be thought provoking. I hope you enjoy this one as my offering for Elul - Keeping Your Family Jewish.

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Keeping Our Families Jewish
By Doron Kornbluth

Yes, You Can

We tell it to our kids. We tell it to our employees or students. We sometimes even tell it to ourselves. One step at a time. Slowly but surely. Small steps. Baby steps. Patience. There are many ways of saying the same thing – the only way to learn is to start slowly, learning each piece of the puzzle one by one. If you try too much too quick you are bound to fail. The Talmud actually has an ancient phrase for it: “Tafasta Meruba, Lo Tafasta” – which means, “If you have grabbed too much, you have grabbed nothing.”

Lurking behind the phrases is the simple notion that we can indeed learn many new skills as long as proceed slowly. In other words, these phrases actually contain two ideas, not one: (1) we CAN learn new things; (2) as long as we proceed slowly.

My wife is a dance instructor. I’m not (to say the least). True, I’m not naturally athletic or graceful. No matter how much I worked at it, it is highly unlikely I would ever be a great dancer. But the main reason that I am not even a competent dancer is that I’ve never actually tried. How many hours have I put into dancing? Zilch, almost.

On the other hand, last week I rented a stick shift car for the first time. First day, near-whiplash. 2^nd day, less painful. 3^rd day, even less painful. Put some time in and you can develop competency in most things in life.

The point is obvious. So obvious that we don’t even pay attention to it and therefore miss its importance. Put simply, we CAN learn new things.

As Jewish parents – indeed, as Jews, we should always be trying to improve. As Rosh Hashana approaches, it is a good time to start thinking about choosing from a number of possible steps to strengthen your family’s Jewishness. Possibilities are endless. Here are a few popular choices:

You CAN learn to say a simple blessing over the wine and bread on Friday night in order to bring some Jewishness into your weekly schedule. It’ll take a few times to get the Hebrew right. Net investment, MAYBE, 20-30 minutes. The biggest challenge for many people is getting over the embarrassment of being a university-educated successful person who can’t pronounce Hebrew. Relax. Most university-educated successful Jews can’t pronounce Hebrew. Modern life. But you CAN learn this short prayer, and making a Friday night Shabbat dinner is SO worth it.

You CAN learn the basic rules of making your home Kosher. Most of the food you buy is probably Kosher already. There are only a handful of symbols. And a few basic rules. Transition? Yes. Doable? Definitely. More and more families are doing it.

You CAN learn Torah. Torah study is the engine that keeps Jews Jewish. When communities and families learn Torah, their survival rates are extraordinary. When communities and families don’t …well, you can guess the rest. Torah study is not just for Rabbis, “the Orthodox”, men, Hebrew speakers, or any other subgroups of the Jewish people. It is for everyone. It is, can and should be exciting, interesting and motivating. One hour, once a week. Ask your local rabbi for classes or ask me and I’ll track something down for you.

You CAN learn to pray. No offense to any readers, but taking G-d out of the Jewish picture is like …removing the picture. Of course there is art and culture and tradition and scholarship etc etc…we are a great civilization, but a religious civilization. We brought the knowledge of G-d into the world, our entire tradition, holidays, etc are all based on developing a relationship with G-d. You may not believe, or believe clearly, or know how to pray or want to pray or know what prayer is, or ..or …or. Just means you are a normal modern person. But you CAN learn to connect to G-d. To pray. To open up your spiritual side. Doing so radically increases the chances that your kids will connect to their identity in a deep (and thus lasting) way. It’ll also touch your heart and life in a more beautiful way then you’ve ever imagined.

These are only a handful of examples of things that you CAN learn to do in order to deepen your (and your family’s) connection to Judaism. Each and every Jewish person, no matter how observant or non-observant they are, should be constantly seeking to strengthen their Jewish identity. It doesn’t mean radical changes – they usually don’t last anyway. But it also doesn’t mean stagnation – that is not inspiring to the next generation.

We should all choose one or two things to add to our Jewish lives this year. A weekly class. Friday night dinner. Kosher meat in the home. Sabbath prayer. There are endless possibilities and variations. Choose something that appeals to you. Something that seems doable. And remember, whatever you choose: Yes, you can!

'Keeping Our Families Jewish' is a free e-newsletter written by Doron Kornbluth. It is designed to help Jewish parents, grandparents, educators and activists keep Jewish identity strong. Sponsorships and Dedications are welcome. To join the list, or contact Doron directly, email info@doronkornbluth.com or visit www.doronkornbluth.com.

Defining a People

2010-08-05T12:32:00.000-07:00

Parshat Re'eh

Deuteronomy 11:26 - 16:17

Synopsis

The people are twice commanded in this portion to consume no blood of the animals they slaughter.

Moses admonishes the people to be wary of false prophets who might try to lure them into worshipping other gods. The penalty for such worship is death.

Moses reiterates the laws of kashrut to the people.

The portion closes with Moses detailing the observance of the three pilgrimage festivals: Feast of Unleavened Bread - Passover; Feast of Weeks - Shavuot; and the Feast of Booths - Sukkot.

Synopsis courtesy of Teaching Torah, by Sorel Goldberg Loeb and Barbara Binder Kadden

For your Shabbat table:

In Parshat Re'eh, Moses teaches the Israelites that they should be different from those around them and not copy their ways - they are not to worship other gods and they are to eat differently than their neighbors, observing the laws of kashrut. What are some ways a Jewish home is different from other homes? What makes your home a Jewish home?
Some commentators have written that the purpose of maintaining kashrut is hygiene; others say it is to achieve holiness. What do you think?
Rules are detailed telling the Israelites to support people in need - the Torah says widows and orphans, but we can take that to mean anyone who is in need of help and support. What are some ways you and your family help others in need?
What would you be willing to give up in order to provide food, clothing, and shelter for others?

This week's g-dcast - a music video on Re'eh from Israel!

Jewels of Elul

2010-08-02T13:26:00.000-07:00

The Hebrew month of Av, which usually falls during July and August, is mostly known for the holiday of Tisha B'Av. It is immediately followed by the month of Elul, a month in which Jews around the world begin to ready themselves for the solemnity of the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, occurring only a month away in Tishrei. Every day in synagogue, the shofar is sounded, as if this trumpeting sound could awaken ourselves to take stock of the year coming to a close and readying ourselves for the days we spend in prayer and personal reflection.

I have recently become aware of a lovely web-based resourced called Jewels of Elul, started by Craig Taubman (for more information on this very talented musician, see his website - Craig 'n Co: Soundtracks for Life). For the past six years, he has collected short stories, anecdotes, and introspections from some famous and fascinating people, including Natan Sharansky, Rabbi Naomi Levy, Dr. Shelly Dorph, Jeremy Ben Ami, Rabbi Mark Borovitz, and even Lady Gaga! I encourage you to take a look at these Jewels of Elul, found at www.jewelsofelul.com. You can sign up to receive a Jewel a Day to your email or your Facebook - just follow the instructions on their web page.

Reminders for the Future

2010-07-29T07:23:00.000-07:00

Parshat Ekev
Deuteronomy 7:12 - 11:25

Synopsis
By following all the rules established by God, Israel will experience great blessings - health, abundant produce, and fertility. All the enemies of Israel will be vanquished with God's help, and Israel is to destroy all signs of their enemies' idolatrous worship.

A second admonition to obey God's laws is followed by a brief description of Israel's wanderings in the desert. Despite the 40 years of hardship, their clothing did not wear out, neither did their feet swell. Manna was provided for food. God disciplined the Israelites, as a father would discipline his son, in order to teach them to keep God's commandments. Now that Israel is to enter a bountiful Land, the people are cautioned to maintain their faith in God. Moses reminds them to give thanks continually to God for the abundance provided. The people should never assume it is by their own hand that they enjoy the fruits of the Land - all that they have is from God.

By not following God's commandments, Israel would doom itself.

Moses recounts to the Israelites all their acts of defiance: the making of the Golden Calf, complaining about the food and the water, and the incident of the spies. He reminds the people how he interceded with God on their behalf. Because of these pleadings, Israel is still able to enter Canaan.

Moses tells the people that all God wants is that Israel remain faithful to God's laws, worship God, and behave appropriately toward orphans, widows, and strangers. Such acts will result in blessings and prosperity.
This synopsis can be found in Teaching Torah by Sorel Goldberg Loeb and Barbara Binder Kadden.

For your Shabbat table:

In Parshat Ekev, Moses reminds the Israelites to thank God for everything they receive in the new land of Canaan. What are some ways that you thank God for what you have? How frequently do you remember to thank God?
At the end of the parsha, Moses tells the people that it is important to remember God's laws and to live by them. What are some ways you remember to live by the Torah and God's laws?
Jews are instructed to behave appropriately towards orphans, widows, and strangers. What do you think this mean? What is special about widows, orphans, and the stranger, and what can that tell us about how we should behave towards others?

Time for some Torah toons!

The Jewish Day of Love

2010-07-23T13:02:00.000-07:00

This past Tuesday, Jews all around the world marked Tisha B'Av, the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av and the major day of communal mourning in the Jewish calendar. It is on this day throughout history that a number of disasters have been said to have befallen the Jewish people, the prime example being the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem in 586 BCE and 70 CE, respectively.

This coming Monday is a holiday of a different sort - Tu B'Av, the fifteenth of Av, an ancient and modern holiday. Originally a post-biblical day of joy, it served as a day of matchmaking for unmarried women in the Second Temple period (before the destruction of 70 CE). After this period, it was largely uncelebrated in the Jewish calendar for many years and has been rejuvenated in recent decades, especially in Israel. In modern times, it has become a Hebrew day of love, very similar to Valentine’s Day.

While it is often difficult to commemorate Tisha B'Av with young children (frankly, even some adults have difficulty with how to appropriately mark this solemn time), Tu B'Av contains themes that are very family friendly. Some thoughts on how to add a little Jewish to your coming Monday:

Activities
Largely a modern Israeli holiday, there is much room for creating fun celebrations of love around Tu B’Av. Especially coming so soon after the solemnity of Tisha B’Av, take this time to emphasize the people and things we love in this world. Some possible activities could be:

Make "Happy Tu B'Av!" cards to send to friends and family, making sure to include short messages of love and appreciation.
Identify activities you love to do together as a family and make a special point to schedule some around this time.
Make posters or collages emphasizing those people, activities, and items that your children love. Post them in your home or children's rooms as a reminder of all that is good and loved in our lives.

A Commanding Love

2010-07-22T12:46:00.000-07:00

Parshat Va'etchanan
Deuteronomy 3:23 - 7:11

Synopsis
Va'etchanan opens with Moses reminding the people how he had pleaded with God to be allowed to see the Promised Land. God relented and allowed Moses to view the Land of Canaan, but in so doing, God reminded Moses to prepare Joshua to be the new leader of the people in their new Land.

Moses continues in his speech to the people, exhorting them to observe the laws and rules given them so that they may enter and occupy the Promised Land. The people are specifically cautioned to follow the entire law. They must not add or delete from that which God has commanded them.

Moses details the very special relationship that God has with the people Israel and emphasizes that this unique connection should in no way be jeopardized. Moses intersperses his warnings to the people with descriptions of various statutes and commandments. These include:

The cities of refuge - cities which are set aside to protect individuals who accidentally kill someone.
A repetition of the Ten Commandments
The first paragraph of the Shema
The prohibition against intermarriage between the Israelites and the nations slated to be dislodged from the Promised Land.

Synopsis courtesy of Teaching Torah, by Sorel Goldberg Loeb and Barbara Binder Kadden

Questions for your Shabbat Table:

Moses reminds the people Israel of their special relationship with God. How is your relationship with God special?
How do you show your love for God? How does your family show their love for God?
One of the reminders Moses includes at the end is the first paragraph of the Shema, which many Jews recite before going to bed at night. Why do Jews say the Shema before going to sleep?
Why do you think Moses repeated those statutes? What is important about each of those rules that he wanted the Israelites to remember?

This week's g-dcast cartoon:

History, Memory, and the Land

2010-07-15T12:59:00.000-07:00

Parshat D'varim
Deuteronomy 1:1 - 3:22

Synopsis
The Israelites now stand ready to enter Canaan. Moses begins to recount the events of Israel's journey from Horeb (Sinai) to the Promised Land. He also discusses the difficulty he had in governing the people. They had grown too numerous for him to administrate, necessitating the creation of a system of tribal chiefs. These chiefs were to function as judges, but if a matter was too difficult for them, Moses would intervene.

Moses continues describing the Israelites' behavior as they approach Canaan. He relates how he instructed them to take possession of the Land. The people insisted that spies be sent ahead to see what the land and people were like. The report, while favorable about the Land itself, still dismayed the people and they lost faith in God. God heard their complaint and swore that no one of that generation would live to enter the Promised Land. God was angry at Moses also and decreed that Moses, too, would not enter Canaan. Of that generation, only Caleb, who had given an encouraging report of the Land, and Joshua, who was to be the next leader, will live to enter Canaan.

Ashamed because of their attitude, the Israelites decided to go up and take the Land. Warned that God was not with them, they went ahead anyway and suffered a cruel defeat at the hands of the Amorites.

Moses continues the retelling of the journeys of the Israelites and begins summarizing the 40 years of wandering. The narrative continues with the Israelites preparing once again to enter the Promised Land. This time they successfully engage in battle with Sihon, King of the Amorites, and Og, King of Bashan. The lands east of the Jordan which the Israelites captured were divided between the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.

The portion closes with Moses naming Joshua as his successor.
Synopsis courtesy of Teaching Torah, by Sorel Goldberg Loeb and Barbara Binder Kadden

For your Shabbat table:

D'varim, meaning "words" or "discourse," is the Hebrew name for the fifth book of the Bible and the name of the very first portion found within. Even in this first portion, there is a good amount of speaking, with Moses recounting everything that happened up until that point. Why do you think there is this repetition? What purpose does it serve?
During this parsha, Moses helps the Israelites remember their history by repeating much of what had happened up until that point in time - why is it important to remember history? Can you think of any times during the year where we spend time remembering an event in our Jewish history? (Hint: think holidays!)
Part of Moses' retelling of past events includes the beginnings of a system of tribal chiefs who helped Moses in judging disputes. Do you think it would be easy or difficult to be a judge? What characteristics would make someone an ideal judge?

Please enjoy a brief look at this week's portion from g-dcast.com:

Journey On

2010-07-08T11:56:00.000-07:00

Parshat Mattot & Parshat Mas'ay
Numbers 30:2-32:42 & 33:1-36:13

Synopsis - Parshat Mattot:
The special rules concerning women's vows are given. Whereas a man may not break a vow or an oath which he makes to God, a woman's vow may be annulled by her father or husband on the day it is made. Vows made by widowed or divorced women, however, are binding.

God commands Moses to take revenge upon the Midianite people. One thousand men are picked from each tribe to battle the Midianites under the leadership of Pinchas. All the male Midianites are slain in the campaign, including the five kings of the region and the prophet Balaam. Their women and children are taken captive, the towns and encampments are burned, and all the booty is brought to Moses and Eleazar at Moab near Jericho.

Moses is angry with the leaders of the battle for sparing the women who were responsible for drawing the Israelites into sin at Shittim (see Parshat Balak). He orders them slain together with every male child. Eleazar instructs the troops concerning cleansing themselves and concerning distribution of the booty collected. After cleansing, the booty is divided equally among the troops and the rest of the Israelites, with a share being withheld as an offering to God.

The tribes of Reuben and Gad speak to Moses. They desire to settle east of the Jordan River in the lands of Jazar and Gilead, as these lands are suitable for the cattle. Moses permits them to establish their homes there, provided that all the men then join the rest of the Israelites in the battles to be waged west of the Jordan. So the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh establish fortified cities on the east side of the Jordan River.

Synopsis - Parshat Mas'ay:
The route taken by the Israelites from Egypt to the steppes of Moab and the major events that occurred along the way are recounted. At Moab, God tells Moses to instruct the Israelites about settling the land across the Jordan. They are to dispossess all its inhabitants, destroy their gods, and apportion the land among the tribes by lot.

The boundaries of the land are: Edom to the south, the Mediterranean Sea to the west, along a line drawn from Mount Hor to Hazar-enan in the north, and from Hazar-enan to Sepham, and then inward to the Jordan River and the Dead Sea on the east.

The Israelites are to assign, out of their holdings, towns and pasture lands to the Levites. There are to be a total of 48 towns, six of which to be cities of refuge to which a person who has killed another unintentionally may flee. It is the responsibility of the next of kin, literally the "blood-avenger," to put a deliberate murderer to death.

Laws are given citing the circumstances and manner in which murder (both intentional and unintentional) is to be judged and punished.

The descendants of Manasseh appeal to Moses and the Elders concerning the case of the daughters of Zelophehad (see Parshat Pinchas). They allege that if the daughters marry persons from another tribe, their land holdings will be added to those of the tribe into which they marry, thus diminishing the size of the lands of Manasseh. Moses, therefore, rules that the daughters of Zelophehad must marry within their father's tribe. This is based on the general statement that no tribe's inheritance may pass to another tribe.

The Book of Numbers concludes with the statement: "These are the commandments and regulations that the Lord enjoined upon the Israelites, through Moses, on the steppes of Moab, at the Jordan near Jericho" (Numbers 36:13).
Synopses courtesy of Teaching Torah, by Sorel Goldberg Loeb and Barbara Binder Kadden

For your Shabbat table:

A vow is similar to a promise. It could be considered a special promise to God. What does a promise mean to you? Have you ever made a promise?
Has anyone ever broken a promise they made to you? How did it make you feel?
By the time we get to these two portions, the Israelites have been wandering in the desert for nearly 40 years. What do you think would be hardest about spendin that much time in the desert?

These two portions end the book of Numbers/BaMidbar.
Did you know that that when we conclude reading a book of the Torah, we say "chazak, chazak v'nitchazaik" - be strong, be strong and we shall be strengthened. According to Rabbi Hayim Halevy Donin in his book To Pray as a Jew, this is a cry of encouragement for us to continue reading the the next book of the Torah and to return again next year to the one we have just completed. Using the word "chazak" three times symbolizes the past, present and future.

And now, your g-dcast cartoons for these two parshiyot - first, Parshat Matot:

Next up: Parshat Mas'ay

Red, White, and Jew - Celebrating the Fourth

2010-07-02T14:04:00.000-07:00

A wonderful educator in our community wrote the following article for the Washington Jewish Week, finding Jewish connections and themes in the Fourth of July. The original article can be found here, but I am included it below as well.

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Red, white and Jew -- celebrating the Fourth
by Avi West

This Fourth of July commemorates 234 years of the noble experiment we call the United States of America. Most Jews recognize as kindred spirits those who founded this nation, and can appreciate their founding documents as sacred texts.

We can hear the echoes from Genesis, where humans are created "in the image of God," in the words from the Declaration of Independence: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

We can hear the echoes of our sages' preoccupation with tzedek, righteousness, and the mission of tikkun olam, repairing the world, within the mandate of the Constitution: "We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty É "

It is enough to make us, the recipients of such great freedom and opportunity as individuals and as Jews, run through the streets in fulfillment of the verse from Leviticus 25:10 (and on the Liberty Bell), "Proclaim liberty throughout the land, for all of its inhabitants!" However, most of us will celebrate by watching parades, listening to concerts, flying the flag, watching fireworks and eating the ritual barbecue in the backyard or at the beach.

But is there another way to celebrate?

We may find some useful models from our own "July 4," the birthday of the Jewish nation, more popularly known as Pesach. It, too, is a holiday celebrating freedom and redemption from tyranny, eventually leading to the establishment of the Israelite state.

The Pesach seder is one of the most choreographed nights of the calendar, and much of it can be adapted for a Fourth of July celebration. Ritual -- hot dogs, hamburgers (and veggie burgers), apple pie, etc. -- can all evoke stories from our youth that illustrate values of family, freedom and community.

The songs and hymns section of the Haggadah can be modeled through the singing of the "Star-Spangled Banner" and "America the Beautiful."

I would also recite the Emma Lazarus poem "The New Colossus" to remember how many "wandering Arameans" found refuge here. You may also challenge the family and friends gathered to create a "Dayeinu" song of thanksgiving appropriate to the history of Jews in America.

The bad news is that it will become more difficult to distinguish the Jewish narrative from the American one; and there are real differences between some of the values that pervade modern America and those of our Jewish heritage. Bill Berkson of Mentsh.com points to two "unbalanced" views of human relations found in American culture and media: one, the Christian tradition equating goodness with selfless devotion to others, and, two, the popular "looking out for No. 1" adage that puts everyone in a competitive relationship.

Berkson contrasts this with Hillel's famous ethical balance beam, "If I am not for myself, who will be for me? But when I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?"

The conflict in American traditions, and the contrasts with Jewish traditions, may be the perfect symposium to use as the dialogue/discussion part of a Fourth of July seder.

Coming as it does during the reflective month of Tammuz, kicking off the season of Av, Elul and the High Holidays in Tishrei, we can hope that families would reflect on their behavior and priorities, crafting a plan that lets them pursue their Jewish obligations and freedoms, while enabling others to find life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Avi West directs the Shulamith Reich Elster Resource Center at the Partnership for Jewish Life and Learning.

Leading by Example

2010-07-01T12:22:00.000-07:00

Parshat Pinchas
Numbers 25:10-30:1

Synopsis:
Pinchas is the son of the priest Eleazar. Because of his zeal in slaying the Israelite man and the Midianite woman (see Numbers Balak), Pinchas receives a special reward. The high priesthood becomes the possession of his descendants for all time.

At the border of Moab near Jericho, Moses and Eleazar take a census of all male Israelites over 20 years of age, considered able to bear arms. The total is 601, 730. Also counted are 23,000 Levite males from the age of one month. They are counted separately; since they are not eligible for military service; nor are they to receive land. Of those counted, only Joshua, Caleb, and Moses had been counted in the first census in the wilderness of Sinai. All adults who had been a part of the first census after the Exodus died in the desert as decreed by God.

God tells Moses that the land is to be divided among the tribes according to the census. Each section of land, however, is to be assigned by lot.

Five daughters of Zelophehad protest the injustice that land was not given to their family solely because their father had no sons. God advises Moses that the plea of the daughters is just. Moses proclaims a general rule that property is to be inherited in the following order: sons are to inherit first, but if there are no sons, property is to be assigned to daughters. In cases where there are no children, the property of a man is to pass to his brothers, and if there are no brothers, the nearest relative shall inherit.

God tells Moses to ascend the moutnains of Avarim to see the land given to the Israelites. Moses is to prepare to die there. Because of his act of disobedience at the waters of Meribat-Kadaysh, he is not to enter the Promised Land. Moses asks God to appoint a new leader of the community. He is told to ordain Joshua the son of Nun in the sight of Eleazar and the whole Israelite community.

The portion concludes with a detailing of the daily, Sabbath, monthly, and festival sacrifices to be brought before God.
Synopsis courtesy of Teaching Torah, by Sorel Goldberg Loeb and Barbara Binder Kadden

For your Shabbat table:
During this week's portion, we learn that the next leader of the Israelites will be Joshua. Who are the leaders of Israel's family who come before Joshua?
What qualities does a good leader possess?
If you were responsible for picking a leader, what type of person would you look for?
Moses was the leader of the Israelites for a very long time. How do you think he felt when he had to start preparing Joshua to take over this important role?
Put yourself in Joshua's place - how would you have felt taking over for Moses? Would it be difficult to take over at the same time as you lost your leader and mentor?
Enjoy a different look at this week's portion via g-dcast:

Doing Jewish During the Summer

2010-06-30T12:19:00.000-07:00

Summer is a time to relax, play, rejuvenate and celebrate quality time as a family. Here are some suggestions on ways you can view your summer through a Jewish lens.

Most of these ideas are specific to the Washington DC area - if that is not your locale, check out your Jewish Federation’s website (you can get local contact information for YOUR area by visiting this website) – they often have many community resources, ranging from volunteer resources to cultural highlights.

Visit a Jewish Museum! We have a number of wonderful Jewish museums in our area. Here are a few to check out:

US Holocaust Museum (www.ushmm.org) – Even if you’ve visited this museum before, there is always something new to see. While the main exhibit is most appropriate for older teens and adults, the children’s exhibit “Daniel’s Story” is appropriate for a younger audience. Don’t miss the special exhibit “State of Deception: The Power of Nazi Propaganda” currently on display – this is perfect for adults and teens.
Lillian and Albert Small Jewish Museum – First synagogue in Washington DC. The Jewish Historical Society also provides walking tours of Jewish Washington and other related activities. www.jhsgw.org. Visit the “Jewish Life in Mr. Lincoln’s City” exhibit held at Washington Hebrew Congregation through July 20^th.
Jewish Museum of Maryland in Baltimore (history, immigration) www.jhsm.org
The Dennis and Phillip Ratner Museum (art depicting bible stories) www.ratnermuseum.com

The Zoo Take your own Jewish adventures through the zoo! Many zoos include animals who are highlighted in the Torah – if you’d like a copy of a zoofari adventure guide (created for a local synagogue program), contact me (efrumkin@bethelmc.org) and go wild!

See a Movie or Read a Book There are so many wonderful books out there with Jewish themes – check out the Association of Jewish Libraries’ website (www.jewishlibraries.org) to see their list of Notable Books of Jewish Content for Children and Teens for 2010.

Want to catch a summer flick? Start your list of favorite Jewish movies – you’ll find a bunch on Netflix or at Blockbuster. Need some ideas? This page has a list of what they consider to be the top 50 Jewish movies – maybe there are more you would add! Leave a comment if you think something should be added.

Study and Discuss Torah Together A favorite weekly activity for Shabbat is to discuss the weekly parshah. For summaries, commentaries, and ideas, visit Jewish Family Living every Thursday for our synopsis and discussion questions.

Want more resources for Torah study? Check out the following websites: USCJ’s Torah Sparks is a great resource(http://www.uscj.org/Torah_Sparks__Weekly5467.html) and the Jewish Theological Seminary has many commentaries on each portion (www.jtsa.edu).

Internet Activities for a Rainy Day:

http://www.babaganewz.com/ Check out the many child friendly activities, including art activities, games, and so much more.
http://www.jewishheritage.gov/index.html - Discover this government site that honors National Jewish Heritage Month (May). Read stories about Jewish parachutists, learn about Jewish places on the National Register of Historic Places (maybe visit one!) and much more
Jewish Women’s Archives – www.jwa.org This website is a wealth of information about Jewish women in American history. Read their stories, listen to their voices. Also find tools for creating an oral history of a family member.

Do a Mitzvah Project!
There is so much we can do to improve the world around us. Raise money for a good cause or spend time helping others. For some ideas of volunteer opportunities currently available, visit the DC Jewish Federation’s website (www.shalomdc.org) – you can find information on volunteering under the “Get Involved” tab.

Dealing with Disagreements

2010-06-09T20:20:00.000-07:00

Parshat Korach
Numbers 16:1 - 18:32

Synopsis
Korach, a Levite, and two members of the tribe of Reuben - Dathan and Abiram - lead a rebellion against Moses and Aaron. They accuse Moses and Aaron of raising themselves about the community of Israelites, all of whom are holy. In return, Moses chides Korach for aspiring to privileges above those reserved for the Levites. He tells Korach that God will choose who is holy by accepting or rejecting an incense offering.

When Moses sends for Dathan and Abiram they refuse to come.

In the morning, each of the rebels, together with Moses and Aaron, offer incense in a fire pan to God before the Tent of Meeting. The presence of GOd appears and threatens to destroy the entire community, but Moses intercedes and the Israelites are told to withdraw from the dwellings of Korach, Dathan, and Abiram. Moses tells the people that the rebels died an unnatural death, that will be a sign that Moses is God's chosen leader. The ground opens and all of Korach's people are swallowed up. A fire destroys the 250 rebels in his party. Their fire pans are declared sacred, collected by Eleazar the priest, and hammered into plating for the altar.

But the people then protest that Moses and Aaron bear responsibility for the deaths of the rebels. As God prepares to annihilate the Israelites, Moses tells Aaron to make expiation for them. Those who Aaron reaches are saved from the plague, but a total of 14,700 perish.

God tells Moses to collect the staffs of the chieftains of each tribe and to leave them in the Tent of Meeting. The staff of the man chosen by God will be made to bloom as a further lesson to the rebels. Overnight, Aaron's staff spouts almond blossoms.

Then God speaks to Aaron telling him that he and his sons are directly responsiblef or the Tabernacle, the Levites are to serve under the priests and are to take care not to touch any of the sacred furnishings on pain of death.

All sacrifices and offerings, first fruits and first-born animals, and the redemption price of the firstborn - gifts to God - are given to the priests for all time. The Levites are given the tithes of the Israelites in return for their service in the Tabernacle, but are to receive no share of the land. One tenth of the tithes and the best part of the gifts are to be given by the Levites to God as their donation.
Synopsis courtesy of Teaching Torah, by Sorel Goldberg Loeb and Barbara Binder Kadden

For your Shabbat table:

What makes a good leader? What qualities do you think a leader should have?
Why do we need leaders?
When you are playing with your friends, who usually makes decisions about what and how you play? What happens when not everyone agrees?
How do you feel when someone tells you to do something you don't want to do? When is it important to go along with the rest of the group, even if you have a different preference or idea of what to do?

And now... your weekly Torah cartoon from g-dcast.com

We Can Do It!

2010-06-04T06:22:00.000-07:00

Parshat Shelach Lecha
Numbers 13:1 - 15:41

Synopsis
God tells Moses to send twelve men to scout the land of Canaan. Among the scouts are Caleb from the tribe of Judah and Hosea son of Nun from the tribe of Ephraim. Moses changes the name of Hosea to Joshua and he instructs the scouts to investigate the natural properties of the land and to evaluate the strength of its people.

After 40 days, the scouts return, bearing a branch with a single cluster of grapes so heavy that it must be carried by two men. They report that the land is indeed bountiful, but that its inhabitants are large and powerful.

In the face of the fearsome report of the majority of the scouts and the weeping of the people, Caleb and Joshua argue that if the people have faith in God and God's promise to their ancestors, they will surely overcome the inhabitants of Canaan. As the Israelites converge to stone Caleb and Joshua, the presence of God appears to all.

Moses is told that God will destroy the Israelites because of their lack of faith and make a great nation of the descendants of Moses. But Moses urges God to act with forbearance and mercy and to save the Israelites. He tells God that if the Israelites are destroyed, the Egyptians will say that God was powerless to bring them into the promised land.

God forgives the people, but consigns them to wander 40 years in the desert. With the exception of Caleb and Joshua, none of the generation that was redeemed from Egypt will survive to enter the promised land.

The Israelites hear this and repent. They set out in the morning for the Land. The Amalekites and Canaanites do battle with them and the Israelites are defeated at Hormah.

The portion goes on to detail the sacrifices that are to be given to the Lord. The people are permitted to eat of the bread of the Land, but are bidden to set aside some of it as a gift for God. The sacrifices and offerings to be made in instances of inadvertent sin are describe. A person who purposely sins against God, however, is to be cut off from the people.

In the wilderness, the Israelites come across a man gathering wood on Shabbat. The man is brought before the whole community and stoned to death as God commands Moses.

Finally, God tels Moses to instruct the Israelites to tie fringes on the corners of their garments as a reminder of God and the commandments.
Synopsis courtesy of Teaching Torah, by Sorel Goldberg Loeb and Barbara Binder Kadden

For your Shabbat table:

Moses sent out twelve scouts to the land of Canaan - they all seemed to see the same things, and yet their reports differed. Why might this be the case?
If you had been with the Israelites in the dessert, how might you have reacted to their reports? Would you have been swayed by Caleb and Joshua?
When the scouts return from their appraisal of the land of Canaan, most of their reports were quite frightening to the Israelites, but Caleb and Joshua tried to assuage their fears. Think of a time when you felt scared but someone said something to make you feel brave. What did they say? How did it help you?
Do you consider yourself to be an optimist or a pessimist? Share a time when being an optimist helped you overcome a difficult challenge.
The very last lines of the parsha details God's instructions to tie fringes on the corners of the Israelites' garments, which is the reason why Jews wear a tallit today when praying. How do you feel when you wear a special garment - have clothes ever affected the way you feel? How do you feel when you put on special Jewish articles of clothing, like a kippah or a tallit?

This week's g-dcast cartoon of Shelach Lecha:

Growing Pains

2010-05-27T12:22:00.000-07:00

Parshat Beha'alotecha
Numbers 8:1-12:15

Synopsis:
As the portion begins, Aaron prepares the lamps of the menorah as God had commanded Moses. Moses purifies the Levites, and then Aaron ordains them in the sight of all the Israelites.

The text then recounts the observance of Passover as commanded by God on the fourteenth day of the first month of the second year after the Exodus. For those members of the community who are unclean, and therefore unable to offer the Passover sacrifice, God ordains a substitute Passover to be observed on the 14th day of the second month.

The presence of God hovering over the Tabernacle as a cloud by day and a fire by night is described. God tells Moses to have two silver trumpets made. These are to be sounded by the priests to summon the people to assemble and to signal the time to break camp. The trumpets are also to e blown at times of war and on joyous occasions, festivals, and new moons as a reminder of God and God's acts of deliverance.

After Passover, the Israelites break camp and march a distance of three days from the mountain of God. The people complain before God, and God causes a fire to break out and destroy the outskirts of the camp. The fire dies down when Moses prays to God.

Again the people weep before Moses, contrasting the meat and their varied diet in Egypt with the manna of Sinai. Moses is upset by the complaints of the Israelites and cries to God that he cannot cope with such a people by himself.

God tells Moses to gather 70 elders to aid him in leading the people. The appointed leaders are told to advise the people that God will give them meat to eat for a whole month - until it becomes loathsome to them.

Two of the 70, Eldad and Medad, begin to prophesy in the camp. Joshua advises Moses to restrain them, but Moses rebukes Joshua for his concern saying, "Would that all the people of Adonai were Prophets, [and] that Adonai would set the divine spirit upon them!" (Numbers 11:29).

While the quail meat sent by God is still fresh, God strikes the people with a plague. The setting of these events is named Kivrot HaTa'avah (graves of craving) because the Israelites who craved meat died and were buried there.

At Hazayrot, Miriam and Aaron speak ill of Moses on account of the Cushite whoman he had married. They declare themselves to be prophets of equal stature with Moses. God rebukes Aaron and Miriam, reminding them that Moses is the only prophet to whom God speaks plainly, rather than through dreams or visions. As punishment for her slander, Miriam is stricken with leprosy.

Aaron pleads with Moses to intercede with God on behalf of Miriam. Moses does so, and God agrees to limit her punishment to seven days only. The Israelites do not leave Hazayrot until Miriam is readmitted to the camp. They next set up camp in the wilderness of Paran.

Synopsis courtesy of Teaching Torah, by Sorel Goldberg Loeb and Barbara Binder Kadden

For your Shabbat table:

Carrying the ark or crafting the silver trumpets were tasks that were very difficult, but being able to have those jobs gave a person much honor. What are some hard things to do that can bring us honor?
What is frightening about change? What is frightening about staying the same? In what areas of your life are you “too comfortable”? What or who helped you gives you the courage to change?
This parsha includes a bunch of different numbers that are important numbers in Judaism - two silver trumpets are made, Moses gathers a group of 70 elders, God limits Miriam's punishment to seven days. Where else do you see these numbers (or versions of these numbers - ie 70 by itself is not a number seen often in Judaism, but what is it a multiple of that is common and important?)? What are other important numbers in our tradition?
When the Israelites only had manna to eat, they complained about their diet and wished for meat. In Beha'alotecha, they have their fill of meat, complain about the food, and lament for their days in Egypt when meals had more variety. Should they have been content with what they were given? Is it understandable that they were so upset? How do you think you would have reacted?
If you were able to give Moses one piece of advice for leading the Israelites, what would it be? Is that a job you would want to have?

And now... time for your favorite Torah cartoon, from g-dcast.com:

Parshat Naso

2010-05-21T12:12:00.000-07:00

With the Shavuot holiday, there's just enough time for a quick clip from g-dcast on this week's portion. Enjoy!

Two New Resources

2010-05-16T06:14:00.000-07:00

As we inch closer to Shavuot, here are two more resources to help you get ready to celebrate this festive day.

HOT OFF THE PRESSES! Our newest Celebrating Holidays at Home Guide is published on our synagogue's website - Celebrating Shavuot. You can access it by clicking here. This resource takes you through the steps of welcoming in this spring holiday into your homes with the appropriate brachot (blessings) and rituals. The final page includes some ideas on fun Shavuot activities to do with your family, including some story books to read at this time of the year.

I recently discovered Challah Crumbs, a great new website created by mothers in North America and Israel, offering you and your family Jewish activities, crafts, and learning. It looks like each month there will be a different theme - this month, appropriately, it is Shavuot, and we have Shabbat to look forward to next month. Some of the Shavuot ideas that I think are particularly fun:

In the Celebrating Shavuot guide (mentioned above), is information about bikkurim, in which we celebrate the agricultural background of Shavuot by picking first fruits. Around the DC area, one of the first crops to pick are strawberries (you can find local pick-your-own farms at this website - www.pickyourown.org), so here is a fun recipe for strawberry soup!
Looking for an art activity? Emphasize the tie to the land of Israel during Shavuot by making magnets of the Shivat HaMinim - the seven species described as being native to the land of Israel during Biblical times (find out more here).

Celebrating Shavuot: Web Resources

2010-05-14T09:40:00.000-07:00

It's amazing what you can find out on the web, and so many really great tools and resources have been created to reach out to families across the US and world to help making Judaism and Jewish holidays interesting and accessible. Here are a few fun links to get your family excited and in the mood for Shavuot.

Having trouble remembering just which Jewish holiday Shavuot is, anyway? Buff up your knowledge over at My Jewish Learning - their section on Shavuot has a whole array of various articles about this holiday, including Why Dairy on Shavuot?, The Book of Ruth, and Recommended Books about Shavuot.

Also from My Jewish Learning - an entire article on making Shavuot fun for your kids, including an evening sleeping out under the stars, a recipe for making a cake using Biblical quotes for your list of ingredients, and more fun stuff.

In what month does Shavuot fall? What does the Hebrew word shavuot mean? Create your own Shavuot trivia game and quiz your family on their knowledge of this spring holiday. Need help coming up with questions? Visit the folks over at www.jewish-trivia.com - they have ready made quizzes that can be taken on the computer as well as a database of trivia questions if your little scholars want to create their own game.

Courtesy of my favorite new Jewish website, Elijah Rocks, test your knowledge of the Ten Commandments with this game - www.elijahrocks.net/Shavuot.html.

Another Elijah Rocks offering - a Shavuot word puzzle: www.elijahrocks.net/pdf/ShavuotWordPuzzle.pdf

It is traditional to eat dairy food during Shavuot, so plan some fun recipes to make together. Take a look at a simple Cheese Blintz recipe, courtesy of Behrman House. Want to attempt something a little fancier? Here is a recipe for Strawberry Rhubarb Blintzes. Don't forget the cake - especially Joan Nathan's cheesecake - the picture alone will make your mouth water.

Take a look at the Shavuot page from Babaganewz, my favorite online Jewish kids magazine. Lots of different options to explore here, including a mini-movie of the book of Ruth, a Shavuot edition of Jeopardy, and even an arts and crafts activity.

If you know of other fun web-based Shavuot activities, post the information in the commens section. Enjoy!

Stand Up and Be Counted!

2010-05-13T06:55:00.000-07:00

Parshat Bamidbar
Numbers 1:1 - 4:20

Synopsis:
On the first day of the thirteenth month following the Exodus from Egypt, God commands Moses to take a census of all the Israelite males over 20 years of age who are able to bear arms. Moses and Aaron and the heads of each tribe record the census. The total counted is 603,550.

The Levites, however, are counted in a separate census, since they are not to bear arms. Moses assigns to them specific duties for the care of the Tabernacle. They are to camp around the Tabernacle to guard it. The rest of the Israelites are told to camp in four groups of three tribes under their ancestral banners around the Tabernacle.

Originally, firstborn Israelites were consecrated to God, since they escape the plauge of the death of all firstborn in Egypt. Now, God tells Moses to appoint the Levites as priests in place of the firstborn. Twenty-two thousand male Levites over one month old are counted by Moses and Aaron. They are assigned to help Aaron and his sons Eleazar and Ithamar with the work of the Tabernacle.

Moses also counts all the firstborn males over one month old among the rest of the Israelite population - a total of 22,273. A redemption price of five shekels per head is collected and paid to Aaron and his sons for the 273 firstborn Israelites in excess of the male Levites.

A separate census is taken of the Kohathite clan of the Levites which is given the task of carrying the sacred objects and their furnishings on the journeys of the people. The Kohathites are cautioned not to touch any of the sacred objects or furnishings of the Tabernacle. Aaron and his sons are charged with the job of covering and inserting poles into all the objects in the Tabernacle in preparation for the Kohathite porterage.

Finally, Eleazar, the son of Aaron, is made responsible for the Tabernacle and all its furnishings.

Synopsis courtesy of Teaching Torah, by Sorel Goldberg Loeb and Barbara Binder Kadden

For your Shabbat table:

This portion is the first in the book of Numbers (Hebrew: Bamidbar) - one of the reasons it is called "numbers," is because it starts off with the counting of all of the Israelites - a census. Why might it have been important to take count of everyone, especially those males over the age of 20 who are able to fight?
What makes you special as an individual? What special qualities do you add to your family?
While this portion counts individuals, it also talks of larger groups of people - the families and clans within the Israelites. Even today our last names can give us information about our background - while some names have biblical tribal connections - Cohen, Kahn, Katz are often associated with Kohanim and Levy, Levine, and Leventhal are often Levites - others tell us of more recent connections in history, like where are families came from (city or place names) or the jobs they used to do. What do you know of your family history? Where do your names - first and last - come from?

And now... time for your favorite Torah cartoon, from g-dcast.com:

Sacred People, Sacred Time

2010-04-29T19:42:00.000-07:00

Parshat Emor
Leviticus 21:1 - 24:23

Synopsis:
Moses is to inform the priests of the special rules which they must obey. The priests are to refrain from coming into contact with a corpse, they are not to shave smooth any parts of their heads, and they are forbidden to marry a divorced woman. The priests are to be scrupulous as they carry out their duties. Any priest who has a physical defect or is ritually unclean is forbidden to offer sacrifices to God. So, too, the Israelites are to take care to bring blemish free offerings to God. No animal less than eight days old is acceptable as a sacrifice and no animal shall be slaughtered on the same day as its young.

Then Moses speaks to all the people about the holy days in the year. Apart from the Sabbath, which occurs every seven days, the Israelites are to observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread and, seven weeks later, a celebration of the harvest.

The first day of the seventh month, the people are to mark as a sacred occasion with loud blasts and the tenth day of the same month shall e a Day of Atonement.

The fifteenth day of the seventh month is the Feast of Booths. This holiday is to be observed for seven days, and the people are to mark the eighth day with a special sacrifice. On all of these holidays, the Israelites are told not to work at their occupations, and special observances are prescribed.

Moses further reminds the Israelites to bring clear olive oil for the regular lighting of the lamps in the Tent of Meeting. He then instructs them in the baking and displaying of the twelve loaves of display bread for the altar.

The portion concludes by describing an incident wherein a man born of an Israelite woman and an Egyptian man fights with another man born of two Israelite parents. The half-Israelite blasphemes God's name in the course of a fight. God tells Moses that the man is to be stoned to death as punishment. So Moses tells the Israelites of the penalty for blaspheming God or pronouncing God's name, and also of the rules by which restitution is to be made for crimes.

Synopsis courtesy of Teaching Torah, by Sorel Goldberg Loeb and Barbara Binder Kadden

For your Shabbat table:

The beginning of this week's portion describes the special rules for those people who are the priests. Why might they need to act different than the rest of the people? Do you think it would be difficult to be treated so differently in order to have such a special position among the Israelites?
Part of this parsha explains the observance of Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot and includes a reminder to leave corners of the fields untouched for the poor. What does this kind of action have to do with these holidays?
How do you think your holiday celebrations are the same as in biblical times? How do you think they are different?
It’s difficult to imagine that Jews have been observing and celebrating holidays such as Shabbat, Pesach, Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot for thousands of years. Why do you think these holiday celebrations have survived for so long?
What is your favorite Jewish holiday? What is it about that holiday that makes it so special for you?

And now... time for your favorite Torah cartoon, from g-dcast.com:

Double Portion

2010-04-22T11:08:00.000-07:00

Parshat Acharei Mot (Leviticus 16:1 - 18:30) and Parshat Kedoshim (Leviticus 19:1 - 20:27)

It's time for another double parsha!

Synopsis: Parshat Acharei Mot

Synopsis: Parshat Kedoshim

The Israelites are not to mix different species of cattle or seed and tehy are not to wear clothes made from a mixture of two kinds of material.

Moses also reviews the prohibited sexual relations and the punishments for these.

All these laws the Israelites are to observe so that they may be holy to God, Who has set them apart from other peoples, freed them from slavery in Egypt, and chosen them as God's people.

Synopses courtesy of Teaching Torah, by Sorel Goldberg Loeb and Barbara Binder Kadden

For your Shabbat table:

God told the Israelites that they would be holy. What do you think it means to be holy? How are you holy?
How can you act in a holy way?
What are some holy things that your family can do together that you could not do by yourself? How can doing these things together bring you closer to God?
In Parshat Kedoshim, we are told to respect the elderly. What does it mean to respect someone? How is it different from "honor"? Why do you think the Torah uses both these words? What word would you use to describe the ideal relationship between a child and a parent? Why do you think the Torah does not use the word "love"?

And now.. both parshas in cartoon form - courtesy of g-dcast.com:

Acharei Mot:

Kedoshim:

A Very Robot Passover

2010-04-01T11:22:00.000-07:00

This week, due to it being the intermediary days of Passover, otherwise known as chol ha'moed (these are the days that fall between the holiday days of Passover, which bookmark the holiday at the beginning and the end), there is no parshat hashavua. Instead, we have a special reading, found in Exodus (if you recall from last week, boys and girls, we are reading sections of the book of Vayikra, or Leviticus, in the regular schedule of the Torah reading). For some thoughts on the passages read this week, check out the United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism's Torah Sparks, found on their website (www.uscj.org). Additional Torah sources can be found at the Jewish Theological Seminary (www.jtsa.edu) - click here for commentary written by Rabbi Marc Wolf, vice chancellor and chief development officer for the Seminary.

For your viewing pleasure, I found this very cute rendition of a robot seder from Israel. Can you spot the "error"?

The Passover Seder... with the Four Sons

2010-03-25T14:03:00.000-07:00

Fresh off the presses (or, really, YouTube) from the folks at g-dcast.com.. presenting, the Passover Seder with the Four Sons!

Becoming Priestly

2010-03-25T13:40:00.000-07:00

Parshat Tzav

Leviticus 6:1 - 8:36

Tzav repeats the description and procedure for the sacrifices discussed in the previous portion. Directed to Aaron and his sons, the procedures for the sacrifices and the explanation of the priestly portions are given in detail. The priests are here commanded to keep the fire on the altar burning perpetually.

God commands Moses to prepare Aaron, the Tabernacle, and Aaron's sons for the new priesthood. This includes washing Aaron and his sons, dressing them in ritual garments, and anointing Aaron and the Tabernacle with oil. During this ordination ceremony, a sin offering and a burnt offering are brought. Then a ram of ordination is slaughtered. Some of the blood is put on the right ear, thumb, and big toe of Aaron and his sons. Then Moses dashes the blood against each side of the altar. Specified parts of the ram, along with one cake of unleavened bread, one cake of oil bread, and one wafer are placed in the palms of Aaron and of his sons. This is a wave offering, which is then burned with the burnt offering.

Moses takes the best of the ram as a wave offering before God. Moses takes anointing oil and some blood from the altar and sprinkles it upon Aaron and his sons. He then directs Aaron and his sons to boil the flesh of the ram and eat it with the unleavened bread at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. Moses explains that the period of ordination will last seven days and all that has been sacrificed and done that day is to be repeated on each of the following seven days.

Synopsis courtesy of Teaching Torah, by Sorel Goldberg Loeb and Barbara Binder Kadden

For your Shabbat table:

Although many people think that a mitzvah is a good deed, the word really means "commandment." The title of this week's parsha is Tzav, which has the same root in Hebrew as the word mitzvah. List the things that you do that you consider to be mitzvot. Are there any modern observances that you keep, not only because they are good deeds, but because they are God's commandments?
Part of this week's parsha talks about the special attired reserved for the priests. When is a dress code important?
How does wearing a costume make you feel? Think of other times that you get dressed up and why you dress up for those occasions. How does dressing up for a holiday or going to services make you feel different or change your attitude about what you are doing?
During this portion, the priests are commanded to keep the fire on the altar burning perpetually. Keeping the fire burning was a big task - can you think of anything you have to take care of like that? Why are you willing to make such an effort?
The priests understood that every part of their job was dignified. What are some things that you have to do that you don't want to because you think they are gross or dirty? What are some household tasks that causes people in your family to complain when it is their turn to do it? What are some new ways you can approach that chore with a different attitude?
In order to officially become a priest, Aaron and his sons (and all future priests) had to go through an ordination ceremony that lasted seven days. Have you ever been part of a group that had a special ceremony and code of behavior? Was there anything special you had to learn?

And now.. this week's parsha in cartoon form - courtesy of g-dcast.com:

Passover Web Resources

2010-03-23T17:39:00.000-07:00

There are a plethora of Jewish resources on the web, including a large number of holiday (and therefore, Passover!) related sites and games. Here are some great places to help make sure you're ready for Passover.

Want a quick list of what you need for a complete seder table? Jewish Treats (a great blog with daily learning opportunities on a wide range of topics) posted this list today.
For anyone who loved the hand-eye coordination challenges of the classic game Simon, here is a Passover version! This can be a fun game for kids - courtesy of the Elijah Rocks page from Behrman House - find the link here.
If you don't have an Apple device on which to download the Mah Nishtanah application with which to learn the Four Questions, here is another place to practice. Here is another page with additional blessings to practice.
Another Elijah Rocks page, here is a Passover-themed word puzzle to quiz yourself (or your little ones) on their knowledge of holiday themes and people.
Babaganewz, which was once a Jewish monthly magazine for kids, now only has a website, which happens to be filled with many great games, tools, and learning opportunities. Here is the link to their page on Passover - many different types of activities.
Want to see what YouTube has available in the way of Passover videos? Here is a page with links to 123 such videos - enjoy! My favorites? Definitely Matzo Man, the Jib Jab Rap (rated PG), and the inspirational Why Passover is Different this Year, from the Jewish Federations of North America. (later this week we'll post more on ways in which to bring tikkun olam into your celebration this year)
Create your own Jewpardy trivia game - need help? The Jewish Trivia site has a database of trivia on a host of different Jewish topics, including Passover.
My Jewish Learning is a wonderful resource for any Jewish topic - here is the main page for a number of articles about Passover - you can find anything from "How to Lead a Seder" to an assortment of matzah ball recipes.
The Union of Reform Judaism (URJ) is also a great repository of helpful information - here is their main page of Passover information.
Make your own Passover mix - oySongs is the iTunes of Jewish music - here is their collection of Pesach music.
Just found this google document that has a number of shared resources on adding creative elements to your seder (including some fun ideas on setting the stage).
The Partnership for Jewish Life and Learning has a Passover resource page filled with activities and links - check it out here.

We will continue to add links to this posting as additional resources are identified. If you have any questions about how to use a resource, feel free to leave a note in the comments field (with email address if you like) so we can get the information to you.

How to Choose a Haggadah

2010-03-23T14:25:00.001-07:00

While it seems like Passover centers primarily around food (the kinds we eat and those we don't), the Seder, our festive meal held during the first two evenings of Passover, could not happen without a haggadah. The Haggadah, from the Hebrew verb "to tell," is the book containing the passages dealing with the theme of the Exodus recited at the Passover seder; it is your guide through the traditional (and sometimes not-so-traditional) readings of the holiday, as well as through the various tasks we participate in during the seder itself. The reading of the Haggadah is based on the verse, "You shall tell your son on that day: it is because of what the Lord did for me when I came forth out of Egypt" (Exodus 13:8). Even though the main purpose of the haggadah is the same regardless of which copy your family uses, no two haggadahs are alike - how then do you choose which to use?

For many families, it is tradition (and, perhaps, law?) to use the perennial favorite, the Passover Haggadah, brought to you by the Maxwell House Family of Coffees. There is nothing wrong with this choice - it is straightforward and has all of the required elements necessary for your seder table.

And if the Maxwell House seder isn't for you? Maybe you want something a little... more modern or innovative? Here are a number of newer haggadot that might help you to help enliven your seder experience. Note: when getting ready to lead any seder, take a look through yourhaggadah first to decide what you want to include and what to omit - many seder leaders even supplement from outside sources if not pleased 100% with the haggadah you have in hand - no one resource is perfect or complete in itself.

The Family Haggadah by Shoshana Silberman is a great basic haggadah - it includes all of the seder highlights, while also making available a number of interesting readings and open-ended questions that are sure to involve your family and friends. There is also a second version (entitled the Family Haggadah II) that has many additional offerings for that tough crowd, the teenage sect.

Other good haggadot to consider are Elie Wiesel's Passover Haggadah and the

Family Haggadah : A Seder for All Generations by Elie M. Gindi - both contain all of the necessary elements of a seder while including interesting and thought-provoking readings and questions.

If you want a great resource of materials with which to supplement your haggadah, one fantastic option is Night to Remember: The Haggadah of Contemporary Voices by Noam and Mishael Zion (who also wrote A Different Night: The Family Participation Haggadah, as well as some other great holiday resources). While Night to Remember is a haggadah in its own right, it tends to be a rather cumbersome book - it's larger than most haggadot, and it is so full of wonderful readings, poems, meditations, and thought-provoking questions, that the essential elements of the seder can get lost. This book is very contemporary in its look and quite colorful as well - a discerning seder leader can find some great additions to a standard haggadah here. While you can find this haggadah on any of the major book-selling websites, they are currently out of stock. You can order one directly from their publishing website at www.haggadahsrus.com.

Another possible resource for haggadah supplements - check out this article on My Jewish Learning - it includes links to a number of different supplements already put together. Maybe one fits your needs!

If you're not quite ready to embark on your own seder quite yet, but perhaps are willing to consider it for next year, one brand new option comes to us courtesy of Behrman House Publishers. Through their interactive website (found here), you can customize your very own family's version of the aforementioned Family Haggadah : A Seder for All Generations by Elie M. Gindi by including your own family photos and memories. The publishing window has closed on this opportunity for Pesach 5770, but this can be a very nice and meaningful option for Pesach 5771.