News | News

Need tefillin? There’s an app for that

'Wrapp' crowd sources the Chabad mission of helping Jews pray by offering a platform for instant lending and borrowing of phylacteries

Miscellaneous | Judaism

Yes, Judaism Is Pro-Life | Daily Wire

On Thursday, Avraham Bronstein, rabbi of the Hampton Synagogue in Westhampton Beach, New York, penned an op-ed for Ha’aretz, Israel’s most left-wing newspa

Miscellaneous | Miscellaneous

Why Are Imitation Crab, Pork and Cheeseburgers Kosher?

Even if the Torah forbids a food, one is still permitted to eat kosher food artificially flavored to taste like it. However, if it closely resembles the non-kosher food, it may be necessary to mark it as an imitation.

Miscellaneous | Judaism

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks: The Consolations of Mortality

Before any of the deaths are mentioned we read about the strange ritual of the red heifer, which purified people who had been in contact with death – the archetypal source of impurity. That ritual, often deemed incomprehensible, is in fact deeply symbol

"Hence the life-changing idea of Chukkat: we are dust of the earth but there is within us the breath of G‑d. We fail, but we can still achieve greatness. We die, but the best part of us lives on.

The Hasidic master R. Simcha Bunim of Peshischke said we should each have two pockets. In one should be a note saying: “I am but dust and ashes.” In the other should be a note saying: “For my sake was the world created.”16 Life lives in the tension between our physical smallness and our spiritual greatness, the brevity of life and the eternity of the faith by which we live. Defeat, despair and a sense of tragedy are always premature. Life is short, but when we lift our eyes to heaven, we walk tall."

News | National News

Dallas-area church says Judaism is 'dangerous' - Jewish Telegraphic Agency

(JTA) — A Dallas-area church has included Judaism among “dangerous isms” that includes liberalism, alcoholism and pessimism. The items, defined in a flier as “a distinctive practice, system or ideology,” will be discussed as part of

Miscellaneous | Judaism

Faith and Friendship - Covenant & Conversation - Parshah

After all that had happened – the miracles, the exodus, the division of the sea, food from heaven, water from a rock, the revelation at Sinai and the covenant that went with it – the people, yet again, were complaining about the food. And not because

"Judaism has foundational beliefs, to be sure, but it is fundamentally about something else altogether. For us, faith is the redemption of solitude. It is about relationships – between us and G‑d, us and our family, us and our neighbors, us and our people, us and humankind. Judaism is not about the lonely soul. It is about the bonds that bind us to one another and to the Author of all. It is, in the highest sense, about friendship."

Miscellaneous | Judaism

May I Join a Protest on Shabbat? - Questions & Answers

While an action may be halachically permitted, it may not be in keeping with the spirit of Shabbat and is therefore avoided.

Miscellaneous | Passover

How to Prepare Your Seder Plate Items Quickly & Easily!

Preparing the Seder plate items can seem overwhelming, but it needn’t be.

Miscellaneous | Passover

How To Sell Your Chametz Online - Passover

Any chametz left undisposed must be sold to a non-Jew. Use this online form to quickly delegate a rabbi to sell your chametz for you.

Miscellaneous | Passover

14 Passover Facts and Traditions Every Jew Should Know - Passover

Want to come to the Seder educated and enlightened? Here’s a good place to start.

Miscellaneous | Passover

Why Does Matzah Have Holes? - Passover

Discover the reason behind all the perforations in Kosher for Passover matzah.

Miscellaneous | Passover

Passover: The Antidote to Artificial Intelligence - Chabad.org

We welcome everyone at the Seder and give each individual personal attention, not mechanical responses…

Miscellaneous | Judaism

Why Do We Dress Up on Purim? - On wearing costumes on the holiday of Purim

Some reasons behind the age-old custom to dress up on Purim.

News | Interesting Links

Ancient beard traditions shape the face of modern Jerusalem

JERUSALEM (AP) — Facial hair is trendy worldwide these days, but in Jerusalem beards have never gone out of style, projecting religious mysticism, nationalism and ideals of mascul

Miscellaneous | Kashrut

Is the Tide Pod Challenge Kosher? - Do Detergents Require a Kosher Certification? - Chabad.org

One common misconception is that if something is kosher, then it must be healthy to eat.

Miscellaneous | Judaism

Chabad’s Massive Growth Is Pragmatic, Yet ‘Defies Logic’ | Jewish & Israel News Algemeiner.com

JNS.org – How do you go about feeding a crowd of 5,600 hungry rabbis and other guests, many of whom have...

Chabad has, arguably, saved the American Jewish community by itself. No single organization has done more.

Miscellaneous | OTHER STUFF

Photographing Eastern Europe's Fading Jewish Architecture – Tablet Magazine

Photographer David Kaufman looks at the world through a historical lens. Quite literally, in fact, as he shoots with bellows, the folding attachment used on cameras since the Civil War. Though Kaufman is fascinated by the past, his old-fashioned equipmen

Some of these photos are beautiful. I had no idea that any of the Warsaw Ghetto buildings still exist. These sites must be preserved. They are remnants of an extremely rich society destroyed by the most nightmarish example of genocide in American history.

News | Israel & The Jewish Community

New York Times Avoids Calling a Jew a Jew | Jewish & Israel News Algemeiner.com

When is a Jew not a Jew? When The New York Times is writing about him or her and is...

"In a conversation, when someone dances around a topic or avoids it the way the Times is treating Judaism in these articles, it’s sometimes because of a concern that raising it might be somehow embarrassing, or even insulting. If that’s how Times journalists feel about Judaism, it’s too bad."

Miscellaneous | Judaism

What Is Shechita?

Miscellaneous | Judaism

‘Game of Thrones’: 7 Jewish facts about the hit series

From the show’s creators to an affinity with Anne Frank shared by two lead actresses, myriad connections to the faith

Miscellaneous | Judaism

The Best Jewish Food from Trader Joe's | The Nosher

We all love Trader Joe’s, the quirky supermarket carrying everything from produce to snacks to toilet paper at a low ...

Miscellaneous | Judaism

Ask the Expert: Proselytism | My Jewish Learning

Why don't Jews proselytize like Christians and Muslims?

News | Israel & The Jewish Community

Honor a Holocaust Victim by Tattooing Her Number?

My teenage daughter would like to honor my mother by getting a tattoo of her Auschwitz number. We are quite divided on this issue. Can you please help?

Miscellaneous | Judaism

If the Haggadah Is Right, We’ve Got Education All Wrong - Crucial lessons to take from the Haggadah for the whole year

From a child's answers, you might know something about what the child knows. From a child's question, you know who the child is.

News | Israel & The Jewish Community

Some thoughts on being Jewish in contemporary polite society

A famous screenwriter/director and I were having lunch, doing our interview, and I asked him this one thing, and he answered this other thing, but that other thing didn’t make sense, and I followed up, and he once again said the other thing. And again,

I don't agree with all of this. I do agree that the idea of "Jewish privilege" is absurd. The argument that we are able to "blend in," and therefore don't experience genuine bigotry is not only illogical, it defies history. Plus, WHY should we have to "blend in"?

"It is my Jewish privilege to have very few blood relatives because the rest of them were murdered in the Holocaust. It’s my privilege to have to keep my mouth shut at casually racist remarks, because “you know what I mean, like a JAP, everyone says it.”

Science & Technology | Israeli Innovation

Armed with faith and kids, Haredi women set eyes on tech

A busload of ultra-Orthodox women hits the road to meet female titans of the high-tech industry in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem

Miscellaneous | Judaism

“Tell Them It’s Never Too Late”

The rabbinical students hesitated before knocking. The name on the doorbell read David O’Malley-Keyes. Not a very Jewish sounding name. But you never know.

It is never too late to embrace your Jewishness. This is a very inspiring story.

Miscellaneous | Judaism

If Judaism Is Spiritual, Why All the Rules? - On Freedom By Choice - Questions & Answers

More than Torah is about keeping rules, it’s about breaking them. Torah is about transcending the rules of the universe and creating freedom.

News | Jewish Community

Chabad Rabbi Competes on CHOPPED

Heard the old joke about the rabbi, the monk, the nun, and the priest walking onto a show set? It’s a cliche certainly, but in this test kitchen, there’s nothing stale about it. It is Leap of Faith, literally and otherwise, the latest episode

Miscellaneous | Interviews

No Longer Silent | Jlife

The Segerstrom Center for the Arts welcomed back the esteemed Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater this past April, with an incredible piece by Artistic Director Robert Battle, “No Longer Silent.” Originally created in 2007, it was part of a concert of choreography that brought to life long-forgotten scores by composers whose work the Nazis labeled “degenerate” and banned. The piece is set to “Ogelala,” a piece that Jewish Czech composer, Erwin Schulhoff, composed between 1922 and 1925.

A conversation with Robert Battle about his production, "No Longer Silent".

History | Culture

Who Stood at Sinai? | Jlife

According to A midrash, “Every Jew who ever was, and ever will be born, stood together at Sinai when the mountain smoked and trembled and G-d revealed the law to them.” We assume that meant men, women and children. But not everyone sees it that way.

Highlighting the new "Women of the Wall" movement in Israel.

Politics | Op-Ed

A Meditation on Meditation | Jlife

I recently participated in a Jewish meditation session, which was beautiful, relaxing and deeply spiritual. For the other people in the room.

Mayrav Saar tells us how she really feels about meditation.

Miscellaneous | Other Stuff

Charles Krauthammer: The Holocaust and American Jews - NY Daily News

Bernie Sanders is the most successful Jewish candidate for the presidency ever.

Krauthammer is absolutely correct. The Jewish community does itself a VERY significant disservice by focusing on the Holocaust as a primary source of Jewish identity. There is so much more to being Jewish. The Holocaust is, obviously, a key event for all of us. But we can't let it define us without losing much of the richness of our heritage.

Miscellaneous | Judaism

What Does “Oy Vey” Mean? - Questions & Answers

Oy and vey are two very old Jewish interjections which both mean “woe.” Oy is found many times in the Bible (see Numbers 21:29, I Samuel 4:7 and Isaiah 3:11 for a few examples). Vey is newer than oy; it is oy’s Aramaic equivalent..

History | Culture

Light Over Darkness | Jlife

Light is the overarching, central, definitive metaphor for Jewish understanding of all of reality…

Hanukkah begins four days before the new moon – the darkest night in the month of Kislev and the closest to the winter solstice, the longest and darkest day of the month. Like many other faiths, the Jewish holiday of Chanukah brings light into the darkest time of the year.

History | History

Correcting Mistakes About Hanukkah - The Michael Medved Show

Despite extensive media coverage and rising levels of public partying, the holiday of Hanukkah still causes confusion among both Jewish and non-Jewish Amer

This is an important article. The meaning of Chanukah is much different than what many contemporary people seem to believe it is. In my opinion he real message of Chanukah is far more compelling.

History | Culture

DENOMINATIONS! | Jlife

This month’s issue addresses cultural diversity—a term we have all become very familiar with in this era of social awareness.

But what about Jewish diversity, and how tolerant are we of that?

Family & Parenting | Family & Relationships

Teaching Gratefulness | Jlife

“Who is rich? Those who rejoice in their own portion” – Pirke Avot 4:1.

Teaching gratefulness is not a new concept. References to gratefulness abound in Pirke Avot.

News | Local News

Not Your Typical High School Club | Jlife

Many teens have been a part of the Bureau of Jewish Education’s (BJE) community since childhood… for some it may be their first experience with the organization. Either way, BJE wants everyone to know just how welcome they are.

It is with great enthusiasm and anticipation that BJE announces some upcoming changes to its program structure.

Miscellaneous | Judaism

How Jews Respond to Terror - A talk following the horrific attacks in Paris on November 13, 2015 - Lectures

As global terrorism continues to wreak havoc, Israel has been the target of these horrific evils for decades. In guiding us to defend ourselves against murderous attacks the Torah provides us with a dual approach. (A talk at the Jewish Women’s Retreat i

A talk following the horrific attacks in Paris on November 13, 2015

History | Culture

The Science of Happiness | Jlife

Happiness is firmly ingrained in Jewish tradition. In fact, when we evaluate the newest scientific research on happiness, we can correlate much of its findings with the Jewish way of life. Judaism encourages community participation filled with food and tradition while research shows us that those involved in community are happier people. Judaism prescribes family values, relationships, celebrations and working through loss according to accepted rituals.

The science of happiness shows us that strong family relationships and supporting one another through loss, helps us to adopt a happier outlook toward life. Our Jewish traditions and way of life have been passed down through the generations, while the science of happiness is a fairly new endeavor. How wonderful that they correlate, that living a life steeped in Jewish culture and tradition helps us find happiness!

History | Culture

Jews of Many Colors | Jlife

When most American Jews think of their traditional Jewish culture, they think of Passover Seders and matzah ball soup, hamentashen and black-hatted, pale-skinned Hasidic men, and Yiddish-speaking bubbes (grandmothers) and zeydes (grandfathers). But, that is only one Jewish ethnic group of many.

From our very beginnings, we Jews were a blend of different groups. Ephraim Isaac, Ph.D., the Ethiopian-born director of the Institute of Semitic Studies in Princeton, New Jersey, explains.

News | Local News

In Our Own Back Yard | Jlife

Twenty years after the gavel heard around the world acquitting O.J. Simpson of murdering his former wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, Jewish Federation & Family Services and Nicole’s youngest sister Tanya Brown are giving a voice to women who are victims of domestic violence.

The Jewish Coalition Against Domestic Abuse reminds us there are cultural implications to consider.

Miscellaneous | Interviews

A Conversation with Rabbi Artson | Jlife

A conversation with Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson about the Jewish Conservative Movement's shift to embrace LGBT participation and rabbinic ordination.

News | Local News

Comrades & Conversation on the Court | Jlife

Recently, i had the honor and privilege of speaking with a few great guys who have kept up with a wonderful tradition all their own. For the past five or six years, a dozen community seniors meet every week on Friday at 10:30 a.m., most attend University Synagogue. These friends and comrades converge on local tennis courts for an hour and a half. Following the games they gather at a local restaurant for lunch and discuss the news of the day. This has been a very special tradition that these men look forward to every week.

Orange County Jewish community leaders stay in touch over tennis and lunch.

Politics | Op-Ed

Reeling in the Millennials | Jlife

As a member of the millennial generation, limited participation of women in Torah study, life in the Old Country or even growing up in a predominately Jewish neighborhood—are a few of many aspects to the Jewish experience that are foreign to me.

The identity issues that face Jewish millennials.

Miscellaneous | Interviews

The Secret of Chabad | Jlife

The white truck was parked on 49th Street just west of Fifth Avenue. As I peered into it I saw a young bearded man putting phylacteries on another young man. Just then, I heard a voice asking me if I was Jewish. I turned to see yet another young man.

Rabbi Eliezri let the JLife staff in on the "secret of Chabad's success".

News | Jewish Community

Orthodox Belief in God and Faith Is Spreading — Got a Problem With That? - Opinion – Forward.com

The Pew study shows Orthodox values like belief in God and adherence to custom are spreading. Mordechai Lightstone asks why any Jew would have a problem with that — even if some evangelical Christians feel the same.

Miscellaneous | Interesting Links

Why I Wear a Jewish Star on My Necklace – Tablet Magazine

When I was in fifth grade, my great-aunt took me to an Indian jewelry store in Chicago’s West Rogers Park neighborhood and bought me a necklace with a Jewish star pendant. It had only been three years since we immigrated from what’s now the former Sov

Miscellaneous | Other Stuff

‘When Western women stop being objectified, they can criticise us.’ Orthodox Jewish women fight back

The Hebrew phrase “chillul hashem” translates as bringing shame upon one’s community in the eyes of the outside world. It can be invoked by anything from double-parking to failure to observe the complicated latticework of laws that circumscribe orthodox Jewish life, dictating everything from hairstyles to behaviour.

Almost without exception, the most liberated, empowered and wise Jewish women I have known have been Orthodox. At the same time, the wave of criticism of Orthodoxy in general comes from people that have no direct experience with it. It has become stylish to knock religion. Usually the people doing the knocking believe that they are on the open minded, tolerant and inclusive side. I can tell you that as someone with vast experience on both sides. It is just not true. If you don't believe me, speak to almost any Orthodox woman about it. I dare you.

News | News

A Rabbi & The Pope | Jlife

"Asked about the appropriate response to Islamic terrorism, Skorka remarked, “The best response is Jews, Christians, and responsible Muslims, working for peace.” He added that “peace is the only way to worship G-d. And, the first responsibility of all religions is to care for your fellow man.” We all parted wishing each other Shalom."

History | Culture

Bringing Klezmer Back | Jlife

oday there is a revival in the Jewish traditional music klezmer, especially here within California. You may have heard Mostly Kosher perform last month at the Orange County Yom Hatzmaut celebration. Mostly Kosher is a Jewish cultural revival band based in Southern California. The band is composed of eight multi-talented musicians and directed by Leeav Sofer.

Miscellaneous | Judaism

How does Judaism view vegetarianism?

For better or for worse, meat is an undeniable favorite on the kosher menu. Is this good? Let’s have a look . . .

History | History

A Flag and Israel's Flag

It all starts with identity, the identity of a people and a country. A national flag is a symbol of a sovereign country.

The history of the flag of the state of Israel.

History | Culture

Baseball's Jewiest Moment of All - Culture

With catcher Joe Ginsberg behind the plate, Lou Limmer stepped into the batter’s box to face Saul Rogovin. Murray Greenberg looks back at the most Jewish moment in baseball history — 64 years ago.

Miscellaneous | Judaism

24,000 Plus One - Chassidic Masters - Parsha

Rabbi Akiva taught that "Love your fellow as yourself" is a "cardinal principle in Torah." How was it that that Rabbi Akiva's disciples, of all people, were deficient in this area?

The lesson of "Love your fellow as yourself" expressed in a very interesting and thought provoking way.

Entertainment | Entertainment

Oh, My Pop Culture Judaism: Jewish Erasure & Discrimination in the X-Men & Marvel Movie Adaptations | Lady Geek

When I was in grad school I had a Biblical Studies instructor who was from Romania. He was a member of the Romanian Orthodox Church, but he seemed to have a great love of Judaism and was an active advocate against anti-Semitism. I remember him sadly tell

Miscellaneous | Judaism

Strange Parallels Between the Purim Story and the Nuremberg Trials | United with Israel

There are uncanny parallels between the hanging of Haman’s 10 sons during the Purim epoch and the post-Nuremberg Trials hanging of 10 Nazis for crimes against humanity.

Many of these are well known and they are fascinating!

Miscellaneous | Other Stuff

JEWISH WOMEN: First Among Equals & NEVER Subservient | Josh Namm | Jlife

Judaism, and by extension, Jewish culture, has always held women in the highest regard. Not the “we’re putting you on a pedestal like a pretty doll” kind of regard, but the “women are central to our culture and traditions and every inch the equals of men” kind of regard. Virtually alone among ancient traditions, Judaism has, literally from the beginning, placed men and women on an equal footing, while still recognizing the inherent differences between the two sexes (and to claim that there are no differences is as silly as saying that water is not wet).

The second article is mine!

History | HISTORY

Hanukkah and How War Should Be Celebrated | Rabbi Shmuley Boteach

For Jews, practicing our religion has never been as straightforward. Throughout history we have had to fight and die simply to observe our faith. Hanukkah represents a triumphant moment....

This is another great article by Rabbi Shmuley! As Jews, we don't celebrate war, but we also do not shy away from war when it is absolutely necessary.

Miscellaneous | Judaism

The Jewish Press » » Chanukah: Guide for the Perplexed 2014

Chanukah is the holiday of liberty, combining The Book (faith and dedication to God) and the sword

This is a pretty good explanation of a lot of what Chanukah is all about!

Miscellaneous | Judaism

MEDVED: Correcting Mistakes About Hanukkah | Truth Revolt

Despite extensive media coverage and rising levels of public partying, the upcoming holiday of Hanukkah (that begins Tuesday night, December 16th) still causes confusion among both Jewish and non-Jewish Americans. No, it’s not a festival of tolerance or

It is a little confusing because he implies that Chanukkah isn't about the miracle of the oil, but he then elaborates on that making it clear that it is the interpretation of that miracle that is misunderstood and NOT that Chanukah is not about the miracle itself. But he is 100% correct: Chanukah is about the Maccabees determination to practice traditional, authentic, Torah Judaism.

News | Anti-Israel=Anti-Semitism

Anti-Semitism Creeps Into Europe's Daily Routines – Forward.com

We knew about the murders in the Brussels Jewish museum, the children gunned down on the Toulouse schoolyard, the fate of Ilan Halimi, a young French Jew who had been lured by a group of Muslims who then held him captive, tortured and eventually murdered him. We were aware of the violent demonstrations, assaults on synagogues, and the aggressive rhetoric — including “Jews to the gas” — that had occurred in various European cities...

It is shameful what is happening in Europe right now. Just like it is shameful what is happening in Syria right now. As is what is happening in Jerusalem right now. All of these things can be traced right back to one primary source.

Miscellaneous | Judaism

10 Anti-Semitic Myths - Jewish History

In the Middle Ages, many delusional beliefs about Jews gripped the European masses, some of which were later modernized by the Nazis. There were at least 10 such superstitions, traces of which can still be found today.

Miscellaneous | Judaism

Google Builds Sukkahs at NY Office!

Google joined the Festival of Sukkot this year, creating two sukkahs.

The company used the balcony of its headquarters in New York to build two 21st century booths for the holiday.

This is cool. Good for them. The Jewish employees must have really appreciated this (and been surprised).

Miscellaneous | OTHER STUFF

Europe’s Alarming New Anti-Semitism - WSJ

Attacks and hateful rhetoric against Jews are on the rise—and it’s not just Jews who should worry.

This is an EXCELLENT article by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks.

News | News

Oldest siddur headed to Israel | The Times of Israel

1,200-year-old text, which includes Sabbath prayers and Passover Haggadah, to go on display at the Bible Lands Museum

This is truly amazing.

Miscellaneous | Judaism

New Year's Resolution Solution: Register Your Rosh Hashanah Resolution Here!

Schedule automatic reminders for your new year's resolutions.

History | History

20 Photos That Change The Holocaust Narrative | Pop Chassid

It's time that we looked at the Holocaust differently. Here are twenty pictures to help us do just that.

Many of these are INCREDIBLY moving.

Miscellaneous | Judaism

Why Is the World Blind?

Too many times over the last many weeks I felt like shouting, “Wake up, world! Can’t you see the difference between the good guys and the bad ones? Are you blind?!”

This is VERY relevant to the current crisis in Israel.

Miscellaneous | Judaism

Tunnels of Love - Israel

The deadly network originates from basements and private homes in Gaza and extends into Israel—a tool for mass terrorist attacks against Jews.

News | Israel & The Jewish Community

At 2:30 A.M., Jews Blast Shema Prayer at Muslim Neighborhood

Tired of waking up to muezzin calls on loudspeakers in the middle of the night, Jews mount an aural counterattack.

Well...if you're going to wake the neighbors up every day...you have to assume that one day the neighbors will respond!

Miscellaneous | Judaism

Power or Influence? - Covenant & Conversation - Parsha

We tend to think of them as similar, if not identical. But it is not so. The two are quite distinct, and operate by different logic.

Miscellaneous | Spirituality & Religion

Poetry Slam! Why Orthodox Woman Cover Their Hair

News | Misc

How Do I Choose a Rabbi? - Questions & Answers

I've got a few choices here in town of different styles and flavors of rabbis and congregations. How do I choose? Is there a simple test to determine who is fit to be my rabbi?

Hehe

Miscellaneous | Other Stuff

The String and the Flame

I shall never know whether it was only because I was tired that I had the temerity to say what I really felt or whether I would have said it anyway...

A nice story about the meaning of spirituality and humanity.

Miscellaneous | Judaism

The Rebbe's Big Idea
Is Chabad relevant to world peace?

The Rebbe had a certain vision, a very radical vision, of heaven, earth and the human being. Radical, but somehow completely grounded in the same tradition in which all these crazy modern values are rooted.

This is a very very well written article that explains, in simple terms, the existential question of why we are here and what being here means in everyday life.