About.com

Purim Food Customs: From Fasting to Imbibing

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:23:06 +0000

When it comes to Purim food you probably think about hamantaschen, but did you know there is also a Purim fasting period? Or a commandment to drink until you can't tell the difference between cursing Haman and blessing Mordecai?

...

Read Full Post

Yiddish Lullaby: Oyfn Veg Shteyt A Boym

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:59:51 +0000

This afternoon I stumbled upon a beautiful series of animated videos by Metronome Film showcasing lullabies from around the world. Each lullaby is performed in its original language and is accompanied by animations that illustrate the song's story.

...

Read Full Post

What Do Rabbis Do?

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 22:52:32 +0000

This week there is a meme making its way around Facebook that parodies the perceptions people have about different professions. Of course, someone came up with one for rabbis! You can see a small version of it above and a larger version on the About Judaism Facebook page. For a more serious take on the role of the rabbi, check out this article: What Is a Rabbi? - The Role of the Rabbi in the Jewish Community.

...

Read Full Post

Vashti: The Jilted Queen

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:10:47 +0000

Every year Jews celebrate the holiday of Purim, which remembers how Queen Esther saved the Jewish people from destruction at the hands of their enemies. Since Esther is the heroine of the story, most folks understandably talk about her during their Purim festivities. But what about Esther's predecessor, Queen Vashti?

...

Read Full Post

Happy Tu B'Shvat

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:30:09 +0000

Tu B'Shvat begins at sundown today (February 7th) and if you're looking for fun ways to celebrate the "New Year of the Trees" here are a few ideas. From delicious recipes to an easy craft project for kids, there's a bit of something for everyone.

...

Read Full Post

New Judaism Articles in January 2012

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:59:54 +0000

Here's a quick look at all the new articles that were published here on About Judaism in January 2012. Hope the new year is off to a great start for you!

...

Read Full Post

Recipes for Tu B'Shvat: Pomegranates

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 01:09:47 +0000

As one of the Seven Species pomegranates are traditional Tu B'Shvat fare. But what can you do with them aside from eating the delicious seeds? Here are a few yummy ideas.

...

Read Full Post

The Best Jewish Children and Teen Books

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:13:34 +0000

Every year the Sydney Taylor Book Award honors new books for children and teens for their quality and ability to portray the Jewish experience. The award is named after Sydney Taylor, the author of the classic "All-of-a-Kind Family" series.

...

Read Full Post

Recipes for Tu B'Shvat: Figs

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 23:23:07 +0000

Tu B'Shvat falls on February 8th this year and like many Jewish holidays, there is food involved.

Tu B'Shvat is the Jewish New Year for the trees. In ancient Israel it was intended to calculate the age of the trees for tithing, but nowadays many people celebrate the holiday by donating to the Jewish National Fund (an organization that plants trees in Israel) and eating foods that can be found in Israel. These foods are usually the Shivat Haminim (Seven Species) that are named in the Torah.

...

Read Full Post

Fiddler on the Roof Lego Stop-Motion

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 13:56:30 +0000

I'm often amazed by the things people put on YouTube and this Lego stop-motion film is no exception. Using Lego pieces and figurines, the author created an animated version of "Tradition" from Fiddler on the Roof. The attention to detail is impressive, with Tevye wearing his tzitzit (prayer fringes) and all the Jewish Lego women wearing their sheitels (head coverings). And then there's the overall coolness of seeing little Jewish Legos performing part of a Broadway musical together. Click here to check it out on YouTube. (Note how Lego Gandalf makes a special appearance as a rabbi at 5:28.)

...

Read Full Post