PSALM 27
Traditionally recited each morning during the month of Elul A Psalm of Fearless Trust in God. 27 The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the [a]defense of my life; Whom shall I dread? 2 When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh, My adversaries and my […]
Hebrew Month Elul: Facts, Tips and Actions
The Month of Preparation On the secular calendar it’s late August while on the Hebrew calendar a new month has begun. It’s the Hebrew month Elul, the only month that does not feature a holiday, a feast day, a fast day or a memorial. And that’s no coincidence. Our sages understood that we Jews need […]
Jewish Wedding Vow Renewal
Renew Your Wedding Vows in Italy What could be more romantic than Italy? What could be more beautiful than a personalized ceremony to renew your wedding vows in any one of Italy’s exquisite regions. Choose a gorgeous villa, a lush private garden or our small synagogue, Ner Tamid del Sud in Calabria (the first active […]
Celebrate Passover End With Mimouna
“Mimouna” Concluding Passover With A Sephardi Festival Celebrate Passover End With Mimouna – Wednesday nightfall April 8 – Thursday daytime April 9, 2026 Mimouna, (pronounced “mee-moh-oo-na” ) is the name given to the little known seder that celebrates the end of the eight days of the Passover festival According to journalist Ophir Toubul (Cafe […]
Was Your Bar or Bat Mitzvah Postponed or Cancelled? Why Not Have a Virtual Ceremony?
Given the disruption caused by the coronavirus, Rabbi Barbara Aiello is offering families an individually designed Bar or Bat Mitzvah experience that incorporates tradition and technology to create a memorable celebration for families whose ceremonies have been disrupted by Covid-19. The program is available to families around the world whose simcha was cancelled or postponed […]
Kipah-Minded
It is springtime now and summer is coming. Vacations are on our minds and these are the days for dreaming big and making plans. Where to go? What to take? That’s what I was thinking about when a congregant asked, “But rabbi, when you are on your vacation will you wear your kipah?” This question […]
Alaskan Jews Frozen Chosen
They live five thousand miles from New York City and they call themselves the “Frozen Chosen.” They are Alaskan Jews who make their home in the cold North Country and who have carved a vibrant Jewish community out of mountains and glaciers, oceans and forests in our 49th state. For one month, beginning with Rosh […]
Elvis Presley Was Jewish
He passed away on August 16, 1977. On the Hebrew calendar the date was the second day in the Hebrew month of Elul, 5737. Why a “yahrzeit” for Elvis? As unusual as it may seem, a little known fact about Elvis Presley is that, by the Jewish law of matrilineal descent, Elvis Presley was Jewish. […]
The Kabbalistic Meaning of the Chanukah Candles
The Lights of Chanukah The Kabbalistic Meaning of Each Candle First Candle – Freedom We remember the dedication and courage of the Maccabees. We give thanks for freedom and rededicate ourselves to the ideals of justice Second Candle – Knowledge We give thanks for the gift of Torah and the opportunity to study. We rededicate […]
Thanksgiving and Sukkot
Thanksgiving’s Jewish Connection Legend has it that the first Thanksgiving was a sort of neighborhood block party when settlers invited local Indians to a festive celebration with tables piled high with all sorts of yummy delights. But that’s not how it happened. The real story is that the English settlers observed that first Thanksgiving after […]
