Olive Oil Beaten For The Light
The Torah commands an ancient practice that lives today in Italy It is May in Calabria, an isolated region stretching from the “instep” to the “toe” of the Italian “boot,” and the olive trees are in bloom. Tiny cream colored flowers grace each branch as we southern...
Trauma at the Seder Table
With the “good dishes” gracing the table, wine glasses gleaming and places set for 26 guests, the annual Passover seder was, as PopPop pronounced, “ready for prime time.” But in seconds the tranquility of the evening was disturbed by the shrieks of the two youngest...
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...
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...

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