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Must-know Rosh Hashanah words and phrases

(My Jewish Learning via JTA) – Here are some important Hebrew words and terms you may encounter over the High Holy Day season, which starts with Rosh Hashanah on the evening of Sept. … more

MJL STAFF | 9/3/20

“Worse and Worse on Noah’s Ark” Leslie Kimmelman; illustrated by Vivian Mineker Apples & Honey Press; ages 4 to 8 In this upbeat spin on the biblical story of Noah’s Ark, award-winning author Leslie Kimmelman infuses a kid-friendly Jewish sense of humor. The story imagines how bad things can get when Noah and his family shelter through 40 days of the biblical flood in the ark’s crowded quarters along with pairs of all their animal friends.  The story of Noah is read aloud from the Torah in the synagogue two weeks after Simchat Torah. In “Worse and Worse,” the animals get seasick, peacocks bicker with the zebras and the skunks make quite a stink. As the troubles amass, Noah’s wife and sons complain, “Could things get any worse?” – a refrain that kids can repeat page after page. Just when readers think the kvetching will never stop, Noah gets the crew working together to fix a leak that threatens them all. They begin to cooperate and care for each other. Kids will dive in to Mineker’s cartoon-like illustrations of zebras, parrots, growling lions and sloths hanging upside down. An author’s note prompts conversation about empathy.

4 new children’s books to brighten up the Jewish New Year

BOSTON (JTA) – Sparkling stars and the light of the full harvest moon comfort a young boy and his older sister as they fall asleep in their family sukkah. That’s a scene in … more

PENNY SCHWARTZ | 9/3/20

Synagogues gear up for High Holy Days

Summer is winding down and we are gearing up for the High Holy Days. Our thoughts turn to the bright promise of the Jewish New Year! This will be a season like no other but that doesn’t mean we can’t answer the call of the shofar. Jewish Rhode Island does not list information regarding specific services and schedules. more

JEWISH RHODE ISLAND STAFF | 9/3/20

R.I. congregations offer options for worship

Jewish Rhode Island asked several R.I. synagogue leaders about their plans for the High Holy Days during the pandemic. It turns out that the plans are as varied as the congregations. A few will meet outside. Most are offering virtual services. Several congregations, including Temple Emanu-El, in Providence, are taking their shofars around the state to give Jews an opportunity to hear its blasts. more

Jewish Rhode Island Staff | 9/3/20

In-person or Zoom?

How is your congregation celebrating the High Holy Days this year? Jewish Rhode Island wants to know. Please send information, including contact email and phone number, to editor@jewishallianceri.org by Aug. 28, 2020. more

8/19/20

The High Holy Days 2020: ‘There are lots of ways to access our tradition’

Whether you plan to pray online for the High Holy Days this year or to dip apples in honey and hear the blasts of the shofar in temple, the Jewish New Year will arrive at sunset on Friday, Sept. 18. Will you be present for services or will COVID-19 keep you at home? Will the holidays be filled with regrets for what they should have been? Will 5781 be a sweet year? While no one can see the future, we can find inspiration and hope right now from rabbis in our community. more

MARC RUSSMAN | 8/7/20

Ukraine bans annual Rosh Hashanah pilgrimage to Uman

JERUSALEM (JTA) – The tens of thousands of Jewish pilgrims who travel each year to Ukraine for a Rosh Hashanah rite will have to make different plans for September. more

MARCY OSTER | 7/15/20

Israelis may be limited to spending High Holy Days with nuclear family

JERUSALEM (JTA) – Israel’s Health Ministry is considering ordering Israelis to limit their Rosh Hashanah celebrations to only their nuclear families, an Israeli newspaper is … more

MARCY OSTER | 7/15/20

PASSOVER AND COVID-19

PROVIDENCE, April 7, 2020 — Why is this Passover different from all other Passovers? It is easy to know the answer to that question, but we must acknowledge that it is also very hard. This year, especially for families and friends who love to gather in large groups for their Seders, the COVID-19 crisis brings disappointment. This year, we must celebrate the festival only with our household members as part of our effort to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus. We can derive strength and comfort knowing that we are helping to save lives in this way, but there is no denying that this is not the Passover we had hoped for. more

4/7/20

Michael Kutz (front, right) with fellow Lodz partisans, above. Left, handwritten copy of Bergen Belsen rabbi's dispensation.

Passover 2020 is not the most difficult Jews have faced

Thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, Passover 2020 promises to be unlike anything most Jews have ever experienced. How do you have a seder when most states have mandated, and the best medical … more

LEV POPLOW | 4/5/20