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The historical festival of Chanukkah commemorates the victory of a small band of Jewish guerilla warriors against the superior army of the Seleucid Greeks in 165 BCE. Its name is derived from the Hebrew word for “dedication” and refers to the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after it was sacked and defiled during that war. Historical Background Sources The only contemporaneous accounts of this war are found in the apocryphal books of Macca…

To plant trees in Israel, visit the Jewish National Fund website www.jnf.org that provides a variety of options for purchasing trees. Tu B’shevat (the 15th of the Hebrew month of Shevat) was first mentioned in the Mishnah as the “new year for trees.” This reflects the precept that prohibits use of the fruit or cutting down trees that are less than three years old. Additionally, people paid tithes on produce grown in the land of Israel which were …

In the first chapter of Megillat Esther, Queen Vashti gives a banquet for women in the royal palace. It soon becomes clear that King Ahasuerus has other ideas and dispatches his eunuchs to bring Vashti to his party. When Vashti refuses she is banished, thus making room for Esther to enter the king’s harem and make her mark on the history of the Jewish people. Vashti may be the first recorded woman to “just say no!” From today’s vantage point, we …

Different Approaches to the Four Children From Telling the Story: A Passover Haggadah Explained by Barry Louis Polisar The wise child questions, “What is the meaning of the laws and observances which the Lord, our God, has commanded?” In response to this child we explain the observances of the Passover in-depth. The scornful child questions, “What does this service mean to you?” This child says “to you” and do not feel a part of our observances. …

Over the past decade, the women’s seder has become immensely popular, offering women the opportunity to infuse the Passover narrative with a woman’s voice and experience. In your celebration of this special program, you can use existing haggadot or create your own. Many Women’s League Sisterhoods and regions have already produced such events and would be happy to share their insights and experiences with you. Description/Procedure The women’s sed…

by Nina Samuels “My voice is too hoarse.” “I can’t walk steps anymore.” “I can’t hear on the phone.” “I’ll ask my daughter for a ride, if she’s not out of town.” “Ruthie is only five, but she can read a full verse!” “Thank you so much for inviting me!” The responses to the invitation ranged from initial hesitancy to delight. All were surprised — why would someone from the synagogue be asking them? Some of those invited had been engaged in congreg…

by Rabbi Ismar Schorsch If observance were a function of theology, Shavuot would be the most widely observed of Jewish holidays. But precisely the opposite is the case among modern Jews. No major festival suffers from greater neglect. Yet Shavuot, which caps the period of seven weeks since the second Passover Seder and simply means “weeks,” is rife with gravity. As the liturgy for the day constantly reminds us, Shavuot commemorates the divine gif…

What? The holiday of Shavuot is the second of the Three Pilgrimage Festivals (Shalosh Regalim: Pesah, Shavuot, Sukkot). It has a twofold purpose: agricultural (Bible) and historical (Talmud). As an agricultural holiday, it commemorates the end of the counting of the Omer. Its agricultural significance is stated in the Torah: “And you shall observe the feast of weeks, even the first fruits of the wheat harvest.” (Exodus 34:22); also, “And the feas…

History Why do Jews commemorate the ninth of Av (Tishah B’Av)? The ninth of Av has come to symbolize a day of great sadness for the Jewish people, and hence has been set aside as a day of fasting and commemoration. This date memorializes a number of historical events, whether they in actuality did occur on this date, or not. The initial historical occurrence on tishah b’Av, according to the final chapter of II Kings, was the breaching of the wall…

Women’s League provides customized training on a variety of topics covering every area of sisterhood business and leadership development. But Women’s League knows that the great training it offers isn’t always convenient for its members to attend. And that is why we created Distance Workshops. These innovative Distance Workshops use the technology of conference calls and online services to bring our advice, tips & tricks, and first-hand experienc…