Jewish holidays at home

A Smoky Sukkot

(Image from the SF Chronicle) Rabbi Chai Levy sent her congregation, Netivot Shalom, this email as we begin Sukkot and it spoke to my heart. Sukkot is my favorite holiday and I have to forgo it this year – at least in the ways I usually celebrate. There’s a Talmudic debate about the biblical mitzvah…

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Edible Sukkahs!

I LOVE Sukkot and I’ve endeared myself to many children by having edible sukkah-making as a regular part of my Sukkot parties. You can do this will a party crowd or just your own family – or even just you!     Sweet Edible Sukkah for Kids (and some grownups!) Graham crackers for the walls…

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Days of Hope and Awe

Today I received this beautiful message, sent to the members of B’nai Tikvah by their rabbi, Rabbi Jennie Chabon. I’m sharing her words with you because we are all challenged by these hard times and are grieved to not be able to be together for the High Holy Days. *** The smoke is less intense…

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Where do Latkes come from?

A lovely young Irish woman told her mother that she would be attending her first Hanukkah celebration and latkes would be made! Her mother said, “As I understand it, latkes have something to do with potatoes. You’ll be fine!” I’m not Irish and I’m not particularly fond of potatoes. So my latkes include parsnips and…

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