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 […]
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 […]
Is It Me or Are Packages Too Hard To Open?
What Our Traditions Tell Us about Growing Old By Rabbi Barbara Aiello “Hey, Stan, that’s quite a handle you got there!” Macey shouted in surprise as he noticed the giant bandage on his friend, Stan’s hand. And indeed the mass of tape and gauze was enormous and yes the bandage on his friend’s hand […]
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. […]
Ash Wednesday Ashes Have Roots in Jewish Tradition
This week my Catholic brothers and sisters participated in a ritual that has its roots in Jewish tradition – Ash Wednesday as it is called, actually originated in ancient biblical times – in the era of the Old Testament, as Christians would say, when the use of ashes held a special spiritual significance. Looking back […]
A Valentine Jewish Connection
By Rabbi Barbara Aiello Several weeks ago the Jewish world celebrated the holiday of Tu B’Shevat – the new year of the trees. Did you know that there is another Jewish holiday with a similar name? It’s called Tu B’Av and it’s the Jewish day for love. How did the ancients celebrate Tu B’Av? The holiday […]
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 […]
In Calabria – Support and Solidarity for the Jewish People
For all of us Jews October 2023 was horrific. But alongside the tragedy of murdered children, parents and IDF soldiers, I have experienced an unprecedented demonstration of support among the residents not only of my little village of Serrastretta but among local officials who have pledged to increase security for me and for our synagogue, […]