Rosh Hashana September 18-20
Submitted by Administrator on Fri, 09/18/2009 - 20:37L'Shana Tova. 5770
The month of Elul - listen to the sound of the shofar each day, as a reminder that the season of teshuvah (repentance)
Get a pdf of the Symbols for the Sephardic Seder
Yom Kippur Sept 27 - 28
Submitted by Administrator on Sat, 08/15/2009 - 07:32
Starts with Kol Nidre and ends with the loud blast of the shofar. Yom Kippur marks the day to reflect, to redeem and to start over.
Build A Sukkah - Sukkot Oct 2 - 7
Submitted by Administrator on Mon, 08/10/2009 - 23:00
Sukkot is one of the three pilgrimage festivals. Linked to the harvest and a time for celebration. It starts the 5th day after Yom Kippur, Tishri 15.
After Yom Kippur you have just enough time to build a sukkah. Here is a link to a plan for one like the one shown here. The Plan.
New Drivers Ceremony - New Tradition
Submitted by Administrator on Fri, 08/14/2009 - 07:58Our teenagers taking on the responsibility of driving is a major transition in their lives. Rabbi Janet Marder at Congregation Beth Am in California has written a special prayer for parents to use when "presenting the keys" to their new drivers. It is a beautiful ceremony with much meaning.
Adolescence: First Menstruation for Girls
Submitted by Administrator on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 21:49
I found a wonderful site with many different rituals and customs for this life cycle event. An Askenazi custom (minhag) for mothers to slap their daughters in the face on this occasion. The reasons varied from 'slapping sense' into a newly fertile girl so she would know not to disgrace the family to helping to bring a healthy flush to her face because of the bleeding. This is more of a superstition than a tradition and is also said to keep the evil spirits away.
Yiddish Fun
Submitted by Administrator on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 11:35
Yiddish is the rich language of our heritage. Sounds of Hebrew, Russian, German and its own evolution make this wonderful language of expressions! See more of these Yiddish expressions
Salt - An Old Tradition Becomes ReNEWed
Submitted by Administrator on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 07:58Salt -
It is customary that salt is one of the first items we bring into a new home along with bread and wine. As salt is one of the essential ingredients in a good meal along with bread and wine for celebration!
Blessings and When and Where for a Tallit
Submitted by Administrator on Wed, 08/12/2009 - 17:01Details - Old and New Traditions for the Tallit
When praying or reading Torah, the custom is to wear a prayer shawl with tzitzit (fringes). There are different customs as to when this is done.
It is the tiny details and reasons that make so many of our traditions unique and interesting.
Here are just a few:
Most will not wear a tallit before the age of bar or bat mitzvah. It is part of the ritual when one first reads Torah to start wearing a tallit when praying and reading Torah.
About the Hamsa
Submitted by Administrator on Wed, 08/12/2009 - 08:26Hamsa (Khamssa)
is a hand-shaped amulet, with the palm facing out, the fingers spread open, in essence blocking the evil eye. It is commonly used by Jews and Muslims to ward off evil spirits.. Today, the hamsa is perceived as a "good luck" charm. Somehow, a trinket to bring on good luck is more positive in spirit than one protecting from evil spirits. The hamsa can be seen on necklaces, bracelets, hanging from a car rearview mirror etc.
Red Ribbon - Protect the Babies!
Submitted by Administrator on Tue, 08/11/2009 - 23:00Tie a red ribbon on the babies carriage or crib for protection.
This comes from a very old superstition and folklore about keeping the evil spirits away from the children. There is "magic" in the color red and the quote from Psalm 121 and the the 3 angels Sanvai, Sansanvai and Semanglof. All which is represented in the ribbons we offer!
Mah Jong A Jewish Tradition?
Submitted by Administrator on Tue, 08/11/2009 - 23:00
Why is this Chinese game an American Jewish tradition? It just so happens that in the 1920's there was a popular song, "Since Ma is Playing Mah Jong" by Eddie Cantor (who was Jewish), but it was in the 30's when it became very popular game among Jewish women. Jewish women founded the National Mah Jongg League in 1937, and published the first American mahjong rulebook, Maajh: The American Version of the Ancient Chinese Game.
Torah Quiz Tic Tac Toe
Submitted by Administrator on Tue, 08/11/2009 - 23:00Play Torah Quiz Tic Tac Toe ! 
Great Judaica Game for Kids - Quiz on symbols and then they can mark the spaces...
Here are the key to the questions.
and
Here are some boards and a symbol key!
with these you can have lots of fun with your class or at a jewish youth group party!
A Pen for A Bar Mitzvah
Submitted by Administrator on Mon, 08/10/2009 - 22:23
Why a Fountain Pen for Bar/Bat Mitzvah?
OK so it is almost a joke now to give a Fountain Pen. It has been said:, "Today, I am a fountain pen," instead of "Today, I am a man."
A Bowl of Mitzvot
Submitted by Administrator on Mon, 08/10/2009 - 21:54Teaching children about mitzvot can become a fun family tradition. Make a special bowl that has age appropriate mitzvot on small papers to pull out once a week as a reminder to do something good for someone else.
You can download 30 "easy" to do mitzvot here.
Cut them up and put them in a pretty bowl or container. Each week on Shabbat you can pick a different mitzvot reminder to do the following week.
Havdalah - A weekly tradition
Submitted by Administrator on Mon, 08/10/2009 - 16:32
Havdalah is a ceremony to mark the end of Shabbat!
The name havdalah comes from the Hebrew word l'havdeel, which means to distinguish or separate. Havdalah is a ceremony that separates the Sabbath day and the secular work week. It is a beautiful service to bring a bit of the peace of Shabbat into your week. .. Listen and enjoy.
