by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 3, 2023 | Antisemitism, Chosen Nation, Tenth of Tevet, Kings, Holocaust Remembrance Day, Temple
By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz High school was difficult for me. Not only was I an awkward teen but there was also a group of guys who, unbeknownst to me, had decided amongst themselves that they would make my life miserable. They would take turns playing pranks on me. At...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 29, 2022 | Fast of Gedaliah, Rosh Hashana, Jeremiah, Good and Evil, Israel, Repentance
By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz Today, the day after Rosh Hashanah (Hebrew New Year), Jews observe a minor fast day from dawn until dusk. This fast day, known as the Fast of Gedaliah, laments the assassination of a righteous governor of the Kingdom of Judah named Gedaliah....
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 11, 2022 | Psalms, Community, Ninth of Av, Yom Kippur, Happiness and Joy, Israel, 15th of Av, Marriage and Relationships, Temple
The fifteenth day of the Hebrew month of Av is a post-biblical holiday. According to Jewish tradition, it is one of the happiest days of the year, as the Mishna states: “Israel had no holidays as joyous as Tu B’Av (the 15th of the Hebrew month of Av) and Yom Kippur...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 4, 2022 | Psalms, Ninth of Av, God, Messiah, Mourning, Redemption, Temple
Reading is magical. Reading can take you places you have never been and show you things you have never seen. It is almost as good as being there and reading fanatics know that in many ways, reading is better than watching a movie. It goes deeper. People who read the...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 4, 2022 | Ninth of Av, Isaiah, Redemption, Revelation and Prophecy, Temple
Everyone in high school was afraid of Mr. Brickman who we called “Mr. Brick Wall” behind his back. He was from the old school of teaching and any student who entered his classroom chewing gum would be wearing the gum on his nose until the bell rang. Mr. Brick Wall...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 4, 2022 | Devarim, Ninth of Av, God, Repentance, Tests and Trials
Tisha B’Av is one of the most intense days of the Hebrew calendar. A three week build-up, which ends with nine days of austerity, culminates in this day of crying and mourning. Every year, just before Tisha B’Av, Jews around the world read the Torah portion of Devarim...
