Jewish Learning

The Practices of Yom Kippur

  A past rabbi of  congregation B’nai Shalom offered this useful explanation of the practices of Yom Kippur. I am sharing them here with you. Don’t worry if you don’t do all these things. If one or more of them speaks to you, you can plan to include it next year. *** Before sunset on…

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Fall 2015 Interfaith Programs from BJB

There’s a little something for everyone this fall. Peruse the classes below, call if you have any questions, and I hope to see you at a program in the next few months. Dawn —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————– Do You Have One Jewish Parent? Do you see yourself as Jewish, half-Jewish, part Jewish, Jew-ish? Were you raised as a…

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Raising A Mensch

Compassion, generosity, respect and satisfaction are values shared by all religions. When do they become uniquely “Jewish” and why bother to color values with a particular religion? Because there are ways in which this helps a child identify with and incorporate the values you are seeking to transmit. Join other parents for a fascinating discussion…

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Loss of a Pet

In December my sister died. There was Jewish ritual and community to gather around me and comfort me. Just two months later my beloved old dog died. A dear rabbi friend told me, “all deaths will bring up previous losses and these two deaths come very close together. Don’t be surprised if you feel a…

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Where did Purim Carnivals Come From?

Though Purim is a minor holiday on the Jewish calendar, it is widely observed and a favorite of children. According to the scroll of Esther 9:22, we are to observe Purim as a time of “feasting and gladness.” The holiday is marked not only the by reading of the scroll, but by Purim plays (spiels)…

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