Search Results for: jewish jewish life

4th of July Reflections on Jewish Life in America

Few American stories have been as dramatic as the tale of the Jews and their journey to America. Some were here during the time of the Revolutionary War. Others came in around the decades before and after the Civil War. Then there was the great migration of the late 1900s and early 20th century when many Jews were fleeing persecution in Russia and Poland. A few Jews managed to emigrate to America as Hitler rose to power, but many more were prevented from coming because of tight immigration laws that barred their entry. More Jews came as refugees after the … Continue reading →

Integrating within a Jewish Community

On our kibbutz, we participated in social events, which for Israel, are considered important days like Yitzhak Rabin z”l, Holocaust Remembrance Day, and Remembrance Day of Israel’s fallen soldiers. Those of you who have visited a kibbutz, you probably know that a kibbutz unit is a self-sufficient community responsible for its own social and economic needs. Searching for the right community here in Pittsburgh however is a completely different story. As we see it, there are two kinds of communities: there is the JCC community and the synaoguge community. Both are social in nature – one is obviously more religious … Continue reading →

Finding Your Roots from Jewish Historical Art

In times of personal struggle, strife, unsurety, I always look to one of the more subtle areas of my life where I feel I need to build more of a connection in order to get some answers. If you think about it, Jewish art is one of those areas that needs personalization especially when it comes to finding out your roots. There is nothing more refreshing than learning a bit more truth about yourself and who you are. The Twelve Tribes of Israel is a fine example of what I mean. If you look at the link above, you’ll see … Continue reading →

The Light of A Jewish Birthday

Yesterday I attended a Jewish birthday event for a friend who organizes monthly women’s events all throughout the year. She was the first real person I had gotten to know during my first few weeks in Pittsburgh. Literally for me, she was the light as I got to know other women of the Jewish community, learn a few insights on Judasim and kabbalah and participate in a little activity. In a circle, she told us how each one of us represented the light for her – our own little “neshama” or, soul. Each one of us represents the light for … Continue reading →

The Power of a Jewish Leader

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Ruth was one of those characters in Jewish religion that I grew up not knowing enough about. It is only now, many years later, that I have come to appreciate her lessons and what she can offer us as Jewish modern women. She brought the messianic dynasty to completion by continuing the royal lineage. Of course nor I or any of my friends and family come close to the level of spiritual purity Ruth exemplified in those days, but we are also living in different times where we often judge others by their appearance and how much we are worth … Continue reading →

Jewish Organization Help Earthquake Victims

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In my last blog post, I wrote about the Chabad and its mission to help women with a focus on mothers, from all walks of Jewish life understand the concept of unconditional love and how it translates into a religious context. I mention Chabad once again, but this time in the face of a natural disaster. Once again, unfortunately, Jewish organizations are responding to a world plea to help the earthquake victims in China. The Chabad is one major Jewish organization with a mission – to help all Jews in need. It is during sad times like these that make … Continue reading →

Thoughts of a Jewish Mama

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As the countdown to Passover begins, I am sweeping up the last of the crumbs and putting the spanking clean Passover dishes out. It’s a great time of year. The flowers are in bloom and the snow of course has melted. But there’s one more thing I’ve forgetten. Ah, yes… the book of Passover recipes I brought with me from Israel. Actually, they were given to me when I was a little girl from my grandmother who died in 1995 in hopes that I would follow in her footsteps in bringing to life a Jewish kitchen that undoubtably was centered … Continue reading →

Winds of Change: Approaching the Jewish Month of Elul

The fast and mourning of Tisha B’Av has ended, and now I am awaiting “Elul air,” or those first breezes here in Israel that give a hint of autumn, which here is really more like a kinder, gentler summer. Soon the hard, green pomegranates will start to blush on the trees and I’ll be able to walk at mid-day. The change in the weather is reflected by the spiritual climate of this time, as we turn away from tears over the destruction of the Temple, the fires that consumed the Beis Hamikdash which we sense through the intense heat, and … Continue reading →

Free Ten-Day Trip to Israel for Jewish Youth

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Yes, you read that right. A completely free ten-day trip to Israel. What’s the catch? There isn’t one, really. If you are a Jewish youth, aged 18 to 26, Birthright provides a free “peer-group” experience in the Holy Land. You don’t even need to be a practicing Jew, just Jewish by birth. As a matter of fact, they’d prefer that you are a “less knowledgeable” Jew. The trips are their way of strengthening Jewish identity abroad. Young people spend the week and a half with Israeli students, soldiers, and community leaders. What I found really interesting was that there are … Continue reading →

Why a Jewish Burial?

An elderly woman came up to her rabbi and told him that she was planning to be cremated and to have her ashes spread over a shopping mall. When the rabbi asked her why she wanted her ashes scattered over a shopping mall, the woman answered, “At least I know my daughters will visit me at least twice a week.” What are the advantages of a traditional Jewish burial over cremation? Many people say they want to be cremated because it is more convenient for the family, or they don’t feel any connection with the ritual of burial. However, a … Continue reading →