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 […]
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 […]
Why We Jews Should Share Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” with Our Kids
In his recent book, “52 Lessons From A Christmas Carol.” Author Bob Welch takes us back to the mid 1800’s when, thanks to two centuries of Puritan rule, “The Christmas spirit had fizzled across the land.” Welch reports that Puritan law specifically prohibited Christmas celebrations and decreed that “factories remain up and running throughout Christmas […]
Jews and Jingle Bells: A Rabbi’s Thoughts on Christmas
Note: This article first appeared in the Bradenton Herald, Bradenton, Florida. I encourage you to share these thoughts with your Christian friends “It’s the time of year when the world falls in love…” Beautiful words for a beautiful time. Christmas time. Not my time of the year but I like it just the same. Surprised? […]
Getting Divorce Kids Through The Holiday Season
Very soon, Chanukah and Christmas will begin. But for many children whose parents are divorced, the holiday season can be at best difficult and at worst traumatic. Getting divorce kids through the holiday season may require a little extra attention. Before I became a rabbi, I served on the board of a counseling service for […]
Happy Secular New Year
“The Jewish Greeting for the Secular New Year” Throughout Israel, especially in Tel Aviv, the last day of the year is “party night.” On December 31st Israelis will celebrate along with the rest of the world but instead of shouting “Happy New Year,” Israelis do something different. As the year turns from one year to […]
