Upcoming Lectures, Presentations and Services
IN PERSON AT THE SAVANT HOTEL, LAMEZIA TERME Rosh HaShanah Shofar and Tashlich Service with Rabbi Barbara and violinist Angela Amato Sunday, September 13, 202612 Noon – 2 pmFollowed by a New Year’s pranzo / lunch cost: Donation only CLICK HERE to register Virtual ZOOM Service – Yom Kippur and Yiskor Reading of the Names […]
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 […]
When Caregivers Overstep Their Bounds
By Rabbi Barbara Aiello Gail tapped on Ellen’s door, then as usual, she let herself in. That’s how they did it now, especially since Ellen’s mother moved in. At 94 Enid needed constant care and nowadays Ellen was so involved she was often too busy to answer the door. This time, however Gail found her […]
Finding Happiness
Aging Jewishly – What Our Traditions Tell Us about Growing Old By Rabbi Barbara Aiello Nan looked up from her Kindle and observed the man she’d been married to for over forty years. “Kurt, you’re pacing and when you’re pacing I know something’s not right.” “OK, so I’m pacing what’s the big deal?” was Kurt’s […]
The Fourth of July – a Yontiff for us Jews
By Rabbi Barbara Aiello I am a first generation American. My Italian dad came from war-weary Europe to make his way in America. He traveled with all the essentials, which in those days were two suitcases, a shopping bag and a crumpled shred of paper with the address of a sponsoring cousin. The family spoke […]
Visiting Your Ancestral Village to Find Your Calabrian Roots
By Rabbi Barbara Aiello It wasn’t what they were wearing, although American tourists who visit our Calabrian mountain village are often easily identified by their shorts, sandals and fanny packs. And it wasn’t their halting Italian tinged with a distinctly American accent. It was the look on their faces – a combined expression of awe […]
An Ancient Chanukah Menorah Wasn’t a Menorah At All!
The first ever recorded Chanukah Menorah was not a menorah in the traditional sense. The first menorah wasn’t even a candelabra. Instead, it was a brass box, rectangular in shape, reminiscent of the shape and design of the iconic lunch pail. Back in the day the lunch pail of old had a rounded lid that […]
American Italian Heritage Museum
Meet the remarkable Philip DiNovo. At 92 years of age he’s an active professional (and he’s still driving!) and this year Phil celebrates 47 years as founder and president of the American Italian Heritage Museum. Located in the town of Colonie, New York, DiNovo makes sure visitors can find the museum when he writes “We […]
An Empty Chair at the Holiday Table
When Parents and Adult Children Are Estranged Aging Jewishly – What Our Traditions Teach Us about Growing Old By Rabbi Barbara Aiello The cellphone chimed the first few bars of Jimmy Buffett’s “Margaritaville”, jolting Julie out of her ten minute afternoon “schlaf.” “Did I catch you sleeping?” It was Beth, Julie’s oldest friend – the […]
