Being Black, Asian, Danish…and Jewish — Taking Charge of Your Jewish Identity Adults from interfaith families often have their Jewish identity challenged by both Jews and non-Jews. Having a name that is not perceived as Jewish, like Anderson, Christiansen, O’Toole, or Wong, can lead to questions like, “How did you get to be Jewish?” For…
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Taking Charge of Your Jewish Identity
Taking Charge of Your Jewish Identity Being Black, Asian, Danish… and Jewish Adults from interfaith families often have their Jewish identity challenged by both Jews and non-Jews. Having a name that is not perceived as Jewish, like Anderson, Christiansen, O’Toole, or Wong, can lead to questions like, “How did you get to be Jewish?” For…
Read More »The High Holy Days: Do I Have to or Do I Want to?
What is it about Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur that pulls Jews into the synagogue by the droves? Obligation? Faith? Remembrance? What do these holidays mean? What part do they play in our lives? Should our children miss school to observe these holidays? Join us in a discussion of history and meaning. Date: Sunday, September…
Read More »Happy Tu B’av! (the Jewish Day of Love)
I really enjoyed this article by Rabbi Larry Milder. He sent it to his congregation, Beth Emek of Pleasanton. It gives you a nice summary of the rather obscure holiday, Tu B’Av. Why not take his advice and tell someone that you love them, maybe even give them flowers. The Jewish Day of Love Today,…
Read More »Tu B’Av, A good time to express love
(Photo via Israeli PikiWiki, some rights reserved) This week I had the following communication: Delightful woman: Hi Dawn, I receive your newsletter and am wondering what is the best way to honor my (Jewish) daughter-in-law on Tu B’Av? Me: What a lovely idea you have! Tu B’Av is “observed” to the extend that is it…
Read More »Summer is full of fun Jewish options
The High Holidays are coming – this year in October – so you still have weeks in which to do some shul shopping to determine whether you’d like to join a synagogue and have a “home” for the holidays and beyond. I’ve often told you to explore the lighthearted services of summer. Look below to…
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