Christ is still the Christmas Headline
A Christmas Conundrum – An American Rabbi in Catholic Italy: Even here in Italy it’s headline news that public Christmas celebrations in the US are under siege. But the cream in the cannoli (Italy’s version of “the icing on the cake”), is that a US military base has been forced to dismantle the entire nativity […]
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 […]
What’s a Rabbi Doing at the Nativity Scene?
By Rabbi Barbara Aiello Last year, 2024, I had an experience probably unrivaled in the rabbinical world; dressed in my rabbinical robe and traditional striped tallit, I joined the residents of a neighboring town to participate in the Italian traditional “presepe vivente,” (pronounced “pray-SEH-pay”) the living nativity scene. The mountain Calabrian village of Panettieri was […]
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 […]
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 […]
Cleaning Your Chanukah Menorah
We “wax eloquently” on bringing back the shine Although Chanukah is a minor Jewish holiday, it is “major” in the eyes of many Jewish families, especially where there are children who enjoy festivities that continue for eight nights. Chanukah itself derives from the Hebrew word, “dedication,” and it is during this festival that Jews all over […]
NEW! Paddington Bear Inspired by Jewish Refugee Children
The year was 1958 when war-weary Britain first met the character that became the beloved Paddington Bear. In that very first book author Michael Bond (z”l) introduced children and adults to a lonely bear that had just arrived in Paddington Station, wearing a sign begging someone to “Please Look After This Bear.”
A Chanukah Gift with Spiritual Meaning
The Hamsa (symbolic hand) has Sephardic Jewish Roots Popular in jewelry, ceramics, and pottery art the five-fingered, hand-shaped symbol, called the Hamsa, commands a prominent place in Jewish tradition, so much so that historians believe that it is as ubiquitous as the Magen David (Star of David). The word, “Hamsa” derives from the Hebrew word for […]
A Chanukah Tradition – The Teddy Bear
He’s cuddly and soft. He makes us feel warm, safe and secure. No matter how old we are, we love them. Why? Because there’s nothing quite like a Teddy bear. And of all the gifts that you could give at Chanukah and all the gifts that you could get for Chanukah, one of the very […]
La Befana – In Southern Italy This Whimsical Character Embraces Diversity and Appeals to All
On the night of January 5 children throughout Italy and in particular in Calabria, hang their stockings from the fireplace mantle or place their shoes by the bedroom door, all in anticipation of a beloved old lady who will slide down the chimney or squeeze through the keyhole to bring gifts to the sleeping boys […]
