Displaying 1 - 10 of 11
Hanukkah: More Than Just Presents?
This weekend, we will gather together with family or friends (or, if you’re on the RAC staff, with 215 high school students at L’Taken) around the Chanukah lights, spin the dreidel, eat latkes and sufganyot and engage in the great “applesauce or sour cream” debate.
Ner Shel Tzedakah
Families donate gifts or money to charitable organizations instead of exchanging gifts on the sixth night of Chanukah.
Rise up Maccabean Style for Rights of the Disabled
The sages of the Talmud had a debate about how we are to light the Chanukah menorah: Should we begin with eight candles and remove one each night, or begin with one and add through the holiday?
Victory for Reform Judaism: Court Orders Netanya to Help Build Reform Synagogue
This originally appeared in the World Union for Progressive Judaism's newsletter dated July 28, 2011.
Be a Lamplighter: A Reflection on Newtown and Darkness
I have a bunch of blog posts brewing in my head, but felt like I couldn't write anything until I wrote about Newtown. But, what could I say? What can I say?
The History of Hanukkah Gifts: Is This Custom Really a Jewish One?
The contemporary custom of wrapping presents gifts arose in conjunction with Christmas, but many aspects of gift-giving have distinctly Jewish roots, each of which has helped set the stage for the development of the ritual into what it is today.
The Friendship House
A congregation created three comprehensive projects for the Friendship House, a homeless shelter for abused women, children at risk, migrant workers, and the Sunrise Community, an agency for developmentally disabled adults.
Hanukkah's History: Challenging but Full of Meaning
The history of Hanukkah squeezes us between two competing narratives: one of id
S.O.S. Save Our Soldiers
Raised awareness to the plight of the three Israeli soldiers captured in the 2006 Lebanon War.
Foster Care Outreach
Pairing congregants with foster children to provide gifts, arrange special events and help subsidize costs for foster parents in need. Community Contact Information: Congregation Or Ami Calabasas, CA www.orami.org Goals: Improve the dignity and quality of life of local foster children.