Food as a part of culture & tradition All societies around the globe create holidays and use ritual foods to celebrate them. Food is a primary element of social interactions. Most human gatherings include food. There are biological re-enforcers for this behavior. Of our five senses one of them has the longest memory power. It…
Read More »Shabbat
Understanding the Jewish Prayer Service
More Jewish Experience – Prayer: Erev Shabbat There is an internal logic to the order in which Jews say the prayers in the service, but it is not always easy to see. Have you ever wished that you understood what we are doing in the service? This class will examine the Friday evening Erev Shabbat…
Read More »DIY Judaism: Let’s Make Challah!
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. We’ll talk about the…
Read More »The Best Challah EVER!
I always prided myself on delicious challah. But it was a dairy recipe containing milk and butter. I tried several Parve recipes (recipes with no dairy products and can therefore be served with meat). But they just didn’t make. Then Suzanne Fallon gave me Seymour’s Famous Challah recipe. I love using my bread maker…
Read More »Shabbat & Friday the 13th
I received this invitation from Kol Emeth via their newsletter: This Friday night shabbat is Friday the 13th. The number 13 is a special number in Judaism. According to the Torah (and the haggadah), 13 is the number G-d’s attributes. 13 is also the number of Israel’s (Jacob’s) children. Using gematria (the system by which…
Read More »A Pride Shabbat at Beth El in Berkeley
Pride-B-Que Shabbat In honor of GLBT Pride and Freedom, you and your friends, family, kids, parents – along with the rest of Beth El are invited to our first annual Pride-B-Que on Saturday, June 23, 2012. Following our gay and festive Shabbat morning service – with special readings and music for the festival – we…
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