In January 2014 my Mixed and Matched column addressed the concerns a Jewish Dad had about his wife’s ‘failure’ to raise the kids Jewish. Many people reacted to the article with some anger at his failure to take responsibility for raising his own children. But some non-Jewish spouses had other thoughts. One non-Jewish mother had…
Read More »Jewish holidays at home
Pumpkin Challah – it’s not just for Thanksgiving!
With all the hype about Thanksgiving and Hanukkah overlapping I decided to try making a pumpkin challah. I was a bit suspicious since I love pumpkin and wasn’t sure it would be good as bread. But boy was I wrong! IT IS DELICIOUS! Here’s the recipe – as I modified it to be a better…
Read More »DIY Judaism: Let’s Make Challah!
No previous experience necessary! Everyone loves the smell of baking bread or the taste of warm homemade bread from the oven. Do you wish you could make delicious challah for Shabbat, but don’t consider yourself a baker or are short on time? Join us in the kitchen, and we’ll quickly put your mind at ease….
Read More »Got Christmas Envy? Try a little Sukkot!
A friend of mine who is in an interfaith family recently told me, “I’m jealous of Christmas. My kids absolutely know they are Jewish but they LOVE Christmas and no Jewish holiday can touch it.” It is true that there is nothing we can do about the massive marketing blitz that this country launches…
Read More »All sorts of Sukkahs!
In 2010 there was a contest called Sukkah City. People were invited to construct unusual sukkahs. Now the movie about this wild and crazy event is out; you can see a trailer here. What the contest illustrated is that sukkahs can come in all sorts of shapes, colors and materials. Even kosher ones! I thought…
Read More »DIY Judaism: Let’s Practice Sukkot
Sukkot is one of the three Jewish pilgrimage festivals—that means very important! It’s fun for kids and adults alike. Imagine building a playhouse + decorating for an autumn festival + picnicking outside — you’ve got Sukkot. How do you get started with the fun? Come to a no-experience-needed gathering to learn about Sukkot. You’ll leave…
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