What Unites Our Time to the Maccabees’
These lessons transcend historical curiosity; if history tends to repeat itself, the insights here demand attention. In both instances, forces initially claimed tolerance for the Jewish people, provided they abandoned crucial principles. This concession ultimately led to violent confrontations, culminating in Jewish victories to safeguard their existence in the Land. The Hanukkah story emphasizes a […]
Spinning & Winning: The Whys & Hows of Dreidel
One of Hanukkah’s most curious customs is the spinning top – called a dreidel in Yiddish and sevivon in Hebrew – that is played with throughout the eight-day holiday. The unusual game has a fascinating history and even more interesting rules: read on to find out more!
How Difficult Times Connect Jews to Judaism
Jews have always shown their best sides in times of strife, and our globalized world has taken Jewish unity to a new level. Our Sages said “The Jewish People are like the olive: Just as the olive only yields its oil after it has been crushed and squeezed, so too the Jewish People reveal their […]
Hanukkah Eats: The History Behind Sufganiyot (Jelly Donuts)
A few things come to mind when thinking about Hanukkah– lighting the Hanukkah menorah together and singing the traditional songs, making latkes, playing dreidel, buying the perfect gift for someone, and of course, eating a jelly donut. Some of these things are directly relevant to the story of Hanukkah such as lighting the menorah and […]
