Autumn is days away. That means school starts, people put orange leaf wreaths on their doors, Halloween costumes appear in the stores. Fall always seems like a particularly cozy season. I see a lot of people starting to find indoor activities. In My Other Life, I Craft Many of us have jobs and volunteer-jobs and…
Read More »Intercultural
What foods do you “share” between cultures?
(image from www.anapnoes.gr) Last week I asked you, What are you doing for Passover & Easter? I thought you’d enjoy reading a couple of replies: From a Catholic husband: We’re going to a Seder on Saturday and, err, cooking Easter brunch on Sunday. Easter brunch will include French toast casserole made with (what else) challah made…
Read More »My Jewish girlfriend doesn’t like Christmas. What am I doing wrong?
A holiday season email from a non-Jewish guy came to my Mixed and Matched column: I love Christmas but my Jewish girlfriend won’t participate with me, and this is our first holiday season together. I’ve told her that Christmas isn’t really religious for me. The tree and Yule log are pagan originally; they have…
Read More »Turkeys for God
Rabbi Milder of Beth Emek in Pleasanton sent out this delightful message to his congregants. I simply HAD to share it with you. There are so many great things in it. 1. There’s a lovely blessing to say at your Thanksgiving table. (Below in italics) 2. There’s the delightful learning about the meaning of a…
Read More »This is Bay Area Jewry — in Marin
This is Bay Area Jewry: Photo Essays on the Changing Nature of our Community Lehrhaus Judaica and Building Jewish Bridges present a photo essay exhibition showcasing the range of diversity in our community. The exhibition features 16 intimate portraits of individuals and families from a variety of backgrounds and levels of religious observance —…
Read More »A Rabbi Reflects on the Gregorian New Year
Rabbi Milder of Beth Emek in Pleasanton sent this email to his congregation. He summarizes the four Jewish new years and considers the meaning of the Gregorian New Year that is observed on Dec. 31. Which New Year Is It? The Mishnah records that there are not one, but actually four new years. The rabbis…
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