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A fun group to discuss things Jewish!
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Little things make a difference…
At TR, our goal is to revitalize old Jewish traditions, learn about new ones and, more importantly, foster the sharing of traditions. more... |
Link: HOW to help ISRAEL 
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OMER: Pesach to Shavuot
Special Days to Observe:
May 1 - Holocaust Remembrance Day - Yom Hashoah
May 7 - Israel Memorial Day - Yom Hazikaron
May 8 - Israel Independence Day - Yom Ha'atzmaut -
Fly the Israeli Flag, Look at some history of Israel...
May 23 - Lag B'Omer - 33rd day of the Omer celebrate - get a hair cut, get married, have a bonfire - a good day to observe...
June 2 - Yom Yerushalayim - celebrate the reunification of Jerusalem in June 1967...
June 9-10 - Shavuot - Celebrate !
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Shavuot is one of the harvest festivals when everyone is supposed to feast and include the whole community.
•It is the day to remember that we were given the Torah.
•A day to remember those who have died.
•A day to eat sweet dairy foods to remind us of the "milk & honey" that is the Torah.
Following the counting of the OMER 49 days from Pesach, Shavuot is a time to really celebrate the spring and decorate with sweet smelling flowers and greenery, to read a bit from each book of Torah, to study and to praise the children for their studies.
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Favorite Traditions ...
Plant Parsley on Tu B'Shevat to harvest for Pesach
Make a bowl of Mitzvahs -
Write a list of mitzvahs you can do in a short time. cut into small pieces of paper and fill a bowl. Pick one each week to do.
Read a book about something Jewish.
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LifeCycle Game
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This game all about Life Cycle events was designed and compiled by the Shabbaton Class of 5767 at Congregation Beth Am!
(Link to get pdf files)
Board and Questions
If you want more email me!
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New:
Jewish Holiday Quiz Game!
Test your knowledge of Jewish holidays!
You can download:
Questions
Game Board
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This game is targeted for all ages there are some easy questions and some harder ones.
Great to play as a family on one of those Hanukkah nights!
IF you need answers to the questions - Look them up OR just email me!
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Jewish Fun & Learning ... Good for Teachers!
Learn a little YIDDISH: (click on picture for more!)
Yiddish is the rich language of our heritage. Sounds of Hebrew, Russian, German and its own evolution make this wonderful language of expressions!
Make a bowl of Mitzvah
Write a list of mitzvahs you can do in a short time. cut into small pieces of paper and fill a bowl. Pick one each week to do.
Make Aleph Bet Cubes
Learn and Play Letter and Word Games!
(download the pdf of the template to make 4 mini cubes)
Play Torah Quiz Tic Tac Toe !
Great Judaica Game for Kids - Quiz on symbols and then they can mark the spaces... Here are 16 boards and a symbol key!
Play Our American Jewish Trivia Game contact us for a game board and more questions.... fun to play with your Chavarah!
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Heirloom Tallit
This tallit was made from my wedding dress skirt, handkerchiefs and lace from my mother and grandmother.
Consider an HEIRLOOM TALLIT. If you make a wedding dress, save some fabric for a tallit, or save a piece of some fabric from the wedding chuppah or tablecloth to use and make a tallit.
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| Folklore & Superstitions : Protect the Babies!
Put a red ribbon on the babies carriage or crib for protection.
This comes from a very old superstition and folklore about keeping the evil spirits away from the children. There is "magic" in the color red and the quote from Psalm 121 and the the 3 angels Sanvai, Sansanvai and Semanglof. All which is represented in the ribbons we offer!
More information...
Available in our Meaningful Merchandise store.
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 Placing a stone at the grave is our way to honor our loved ones.... |
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RemembranceStonestm
for special memories 
Stones have a special meaning to Jews: respect for the dead is marked by a stone placed on the upper right corner of the grave at each visitation.
read more about this tradition.
To continue this tradition, we offer RemembranceStones printed with prayers as a fundraising item. If your organization wants to use this product as a fundraising opportunity, please email us for the details.
Order
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NEW: Battery Yahrzeit Candle...
Good for when you can't light a candle but it looks and flickers like a candle... battery lasts up to 48 hours.
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Give More Meaning to Bar/Bat Mitzvah
Donate your decorations.
Tikkun Olam, reparing the world, is part of the responsibility accepted by our Bar/Bat Mitzvah children. Consider using something that can be donated as your decorations rather than flowers. Food baskets, books, blankets or other household goods can be beautifully displayed and then donated to food banks, homeless shelters or similar organizations. See other ideas for these simchas throughout this site or add some of your own special traditions.
A special gift to guests related to the Parasha
Find an appropriate book or a small gift to give to everyone who celebrates with you that is appropriate to the parasha that is read by the bar/bat mitzvah. For example if it is about the agricultural mitzvot give seeds or plants, if it is about ethical laws find a book on the subject, or if it is about observing shabbat give candles. Many of the parashot topics can guide you to a meaningful gift.
Offer a special blessing to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah in the tradition of Jacob/Israel
- (Gen 49) and the Bar/Bat Mitzvah can offer a blessing to the special families in the same tradition! (See Chagal windows inspired by these blessings.)
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| Sports - A Jewish Tradition
We come from a heritage of strength in both character and body. The Maccabees are remembered for their strength and are honored as the namesake of the Maccabi Sports organization encouraging Jewish Sports for over a century.
There was a time when Jewish participation in sports was controversial due to its connection with Greek and Roman influences. But a love for sports could not be deterred in the community. From the time that King Herod established their own ‘Olympics’, sports became part of Jewish tradition. Some even say that David’s skill with a slingshot was one of the first influences of sport in our history.
There is pride in the long list of Jews who are accomplished in all types of sports throughout history.
LINK: List of Jews in Sports
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The National Anthem of Israel
Hatikvah, literally means "the hope".
Its lyrics were written in 1886 by Naphtali Herz Imber, a poet originally from Galicia.
The melody was written by Samuel Cohen, who based the melody on a musical theme from Bedrich Smetana’s "Moldau."
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| Jewish Superstitions/Traditions submitted by Elaine:
-To change the name of a sick person in order to fool the angel of death
-If a baby is named after a person who died young, also give a name after someone who lived long
-Not to complement- say the opposite- so as not to attract the evil eye
-Saying kein an ahore
-My mother did a warding gesture- thumb between index & middle finger
-Red bendles- especially around a newborn- this was way before the new interest in Kaballah
-When fisrt entering a new home, bring salt, sugar & bread
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Visit our CHAVARAH BLOG :
Notes from Torah Study and other classes I take and teach.
Please add comments ....
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| Now Reading: Leviticus
Link: Commentary on this week's Parasha (Torah Portion)
Link: Biblical History - Archeological Findings
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Havdalah - A weekly tradition
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 What is Havdalah?
Havdalah is a ceremony to mark the end of Shabbat!
The name havdalah comes from the Hebrew word l'havdeel, which means to distinguish or separate. Havdalah is a ceremony that separates the Sabbath day and the secular work week. It is a beautiful service to bring a bit of the peace of Shabbat into your week. .. Listen and enjoy.
Music File: Havdalah Servic
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For New Drivers - "Go in Peace
"Return in Peace" Keytag
Available for New Driver Ceremony - or as a nice gift for anyone with a special message included.
Profits to Kavod and Designed by Sarah Lefton
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New Traditions: New Drivers
Our teenagers taking on the responsibility of driving is a major transition in their lives. Rabbi Janet Marder at Congregation Beth Am in California has written a special prayer for parents to use when "presenting the keys" to their new drivers. It is a beautiful ceremony with much meaning. link for larger copy
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Details Make Traditions - Blessing for Tallit
It is the tiny details and reasons that make so many of our traditions unique and interesting. Here are just a few:
Tallit - we do not bless a Tallit at night when we "cannot see the fringes". This is especially interesting for the Kol Nidre service where you do wear a tallit traditionally. However, note that the Tallit is put on prior to sundown and the Kol Nidre prayer is the first in the service prior to the official sundown begining of observance of Yom Kippur.
Noting this we asked: How can you use a Tallit at a night wedding if you cannot say the blessing for the wearing of a Tallit after sundown? Answer: At a wedding you can use the Tallit but not say the blessing. In fact often the tallit is a new one for the occasion and the prayer would be the Sheheyanu to bless the wearing of a new garment.
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 Why a Fountain Pen for Bar/Bat Mitzvah?
OK so it is almost a joke now to give a Fountain Pen. It has been said:, "Today, I am a fountain pen," instead of "Today, I am a man."
Pens were the traditional gift starting over a century ago. A pen is symbolic of the learning and the writing that has yet to be accomplished, just as the watch, which is a traditional graduation gift, may represent the young person’s hopefully long and fruitful life ahead. Since a pen originally was meant to serve one for his/her lifetime, they were appropriately made to last for a lifetime (and even then passed on to the next generation), with timeless designs. Pen makers and watchmakers were recognized artisans, just as the repairers were respected members of the community.
Nowadays, pens are so common that we have hundreds of pens in a lifetime. Neverthelesss, recently, an interest has been rekindled in those old pens that belonged to "grandpa" or " great uncle." Many have become collectors’ items. Also new fountain pens have become popular again. So it is ok to give a quality fountain pen and a wish for many years of learning and writing.
About Pens and Jewish Tradition Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin said: I love fountain pens. Whenever I choose a pen, I do it Jewishly. What do I mean? The "Jewish" way to test a pen is to write the word Amalek in Hebrew with it and then immediately scratch it out. If the pen works and performs this holy task without skipping or blotting, then the pen is good.
From where does this custom come? It comes from the Torah portion -Deuteronomy 25:17-19 we read the imprecation against Amalek, the genocidal desert raider, the archetypal murderous anti-Semite: "Remember what Amalek did to you on your journey after you left Egypt-how, undeterred by fear of God, he surprised you on the march, when you were famished and weary, and cut down all the stragglers in your rear.... You shall blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven. Do not forget!" (source:MEMORY VERSUS REALITY: A BALANCING ACT
Jeffrey K. Salkin)
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New -
Learning Hebrew Magnetic Match Game
You can play many games with this fun item. It is magnetic and the words and symbols make little magnets you can arrange in patterns.
Match words to symbols, group words and symbols, tell stories and more fun games can be played with this new item from Traditions Renewed!
These are terrific for Aleph and Bet level students - both youth and adult. Available at Meaningful Merchandise
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Mah Jong A Jewish Tradition?
I recently learned to play Mah Jong.
Why is this Chinese game an American Jewish tradition? It just so happens that in the 1920's there was a popular song, "Since Ma is Playing Mah Jong" by Eddie Cantor (who was Jewish), but it was in the 30's when it became very popular game among Jewish women. Jewish women founded the National Mah Jongg League in 1937, and published the first American mahjong rulebook, Maajh: The American Version of the Ancient Chinese Game. This organization still publishes the yearly card of winning hands and official rules. But Mah Jong is still a Chinese game and popular in many countries with different variations.
Our new tradition at Mah Jong is to take a photo if a player wins a difficult hand! or if it is their first Mah Jong win!
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Pillows for Healing...
An appreciated gift to someone who is ill. Soft Pillows bring comfort.
You can get a small pillow and decorate it yourself with fabric markers or get them from TraditionsRenewed Meaningful Merchandise.
New designs for soft satin pillows - designs for "Healing".
Healing symbols Moses' Prayer for healing design.
El Na Rfah Na Lah: printed on the small pillow.
The words Moses spoke to ask God to heal Miriam.
In an ornate border of hamsah flowers and lions for strength
and an eye to watch over us are just a few of the symbols.
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Favorite New Traditions ...
Each member of the family puts a coin in the Tsedakkah box to start your Shabbat before lighting candles.
Plant Parsley on Tu B'Shevat to harvest for Pesach
Make a bowl of Mitzvahs - Write a list of mitzvahs you can do in a short time. cut into small pieces of paper and fill a bowl. Pick one each week to do. OR Play the Mitzvah Game.
Light a Yhartzeit candle on Tish B'Av. Think of all those who are lost.
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| Tikkun Olam - Once a Month - A Family Tradition
Find a community project for your family to sponsor and make an effort to do it once a month:
Serve in the Soup Kitchen, Join an Environmental Clean up project, Help at a Retirement Home, Volunteer at an Animal Shelter...
Whatever you feel good about - go and help in the community.
Links: Volunteer Match Idea List
(let me know if you want to add a link here)
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A Special Chuppah
For Your Wedding...
Often a couple will use a special family tallit or an heirloom bedspread or table cloth as the fabric to make the chuppah. Or have a special Chuppah made with symbols that are significant to you.
Here is another idea that would be special:Collect significant family photos to the couple and print them as a collage on fabric to be made into the chuppah at the wedding.
Contact us for more information on how to do this
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The month of Tishri, which falls during the months of September and October on the Gregorian calendar. This year it starts at SUNDOWN October 3rd... Rosh Hashana 1st day of Tishri.
This is probably the busiest time of the year for Jewish holidays. In the month of Tishri, there are a total of 13 days of special religious significance, 7 of them holidays on which work is not permitted.
These holidays include the holidays known as the "High Holidays," the most important holidays of the Jewish year: Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. A 1990 survey showed that only 40% of all Jews affiliate themselves with a synagogue, but 55% attend synagogue on these holidays. If a Jew ever goes to synagogue (other than for weddings or bar mitzvahs), it is for these holidays.
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| Genesis Quiz: who might have said this? - from list below...
"You disobeyed and now life will not be easy"
"I am hungry give me some of that stew?"
"Can I give your camels some water?"
"Hurry up pack your bags we have to go fast."
"Go to my brother Laban's house so you will be safe"
"I know a really great guy for you to marry"
" There is going to be a flood, build a boat"
"You will be known as Israel, the one who wrestles with God"
"But I thought you were Rachel"
"Dad would die if Benjamin was put in prison"
"I will work for you more to marry your other daughter"
(Judah to Joseph) (Rebekah to Jacob) (Jacob to Laban) (God to Jacob) (God to Adam and Eve) (Esau to Jacob) (God to Noah) (Lot to his wife & daughters) (Eliezer to Rebecca) (Rebecca to Eliezer) (Jacob to Leah) -
email me for the correct answers or more quiz questions like this
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| Fun Chavarah LINKS - add your comments too!
About Hamsas and The Evil Eye
A Round and Sweet Challah for the New Year!
Latke Recipe for all year long - easy
Jacob's Stew - Yummy
Crochet A Kippah
Glad I didn't know Hammurabi
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Excerpt from
40 Things You Can Do to Save the Jewish People by Joel Aggressively
Invite a non Jewish friend to share in your holiday celebrations.
• Visit a non Jewish friend's home for their holiday celebration.
• Accept "visiting Christmas" as your way to appreciate as well as understanding the differences in our community.
• Find significance in our differences and learn tolerance.
• Also "visit" different Jewish friend's and learn different ways to celebrate our holidays
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START A NEW SHABBAT TRADITION!
Find a new activity that you and your family can do to make! Shabbat IS special and make it your own special tradition....
•Make a Shabbat flag to fly outside every week.
•Make Challa with surprise fruit or candy inside!
•Find or write a poem to read special for Shabbat!
Share your Shabbat traditions!
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Simcha Glasses
Invitations & Cards
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RemembranceStones
