Why "Average" Haredi Families Go to Hotels for Pesach, Part II We received an advertising supplement from a travel agency catering to the haredi public called "Pesach Plus." According to the supplement reservations for Passover hotels have increased this year. Despite the economic downturn, the … [Read more...]
Rabbi Ovadia’s Surprising Ruling: Women Can Read Megillah for Men
March 1, 2009 by
The secular newspapers like to report on the weekly talks of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, the leading rabbinic arbiter of the Sephardi/Mizrachi community in Israel. Occasionally he says outrageous things, but this time he made a ruling likely to please a more liberal readership. On the upcoming holiday of … [Read more...]
Purim Costume Brainstorming
February 26, 2009 by
For an updated list for 2010, see Easy Costume Ideas. Reiza, who is pregnant and due right around Purim, tweeted that she hasn't thought about Purim costumes yet for her three kids. I always find it hard to come up with easy, inexpensive costumes. After Purim, of course, I have dozens of ideas. … [Read more...]
Brother-in-law quoted in WSJ and a family party game
January 2, 2009 by
My brother-in-law wrote his report about our annual Chanukah party here. He has to be nice, because he knows I read his blog. (I even send him the occasional unsolicited suggestion.) It was my idea to blog about the dancing on the side of the road.Aaron was quoted today in the Wall Street Journal, … [Read more...]
Hanging Stockings–an American Chanukah Custom?
December 23, 2008 by
From the Motherlode blog at the New York Times, on Jewish couples who have conflicts about holiday customs similar to those of intermarried couples:I heard recently from Tami Kamin-Meyer, a lawyer with two sons, ages 10 and 14, living in Columbus, OH. “Both my husband of nearly 16 years and I are … [Read more...]
Some Chanukah links
December 22, 2008 by
Chanukah Sameach! My camera is broken and I'm too lazy to scour the net, so you will have to manage without the traditional picture. As compensation I present some links.Standing Together has ideas for supporting Israeli soldiers this holiday.Breeding Imperfection shares a sad tale of allergy and … [Read more...]
Simchat Torah Suggestions
October 24, 2008 by
Now that we're through kvetching about our Yom Kippur experiences, we can start analyzing Simchat Torah.Simchat Torah is a difficult holiday for Orthodox women. It seems like the men are having the fun, while the women are sitting around waiting, watching, and mostly talking. I don't mind sitting … [Read more...]
Sukkot in the ER
October 23, 2008 by
When we last met, I was injured at the bottom of a hill near Peduel. At this point I was pretty sure I would recover, so we went to our friends' house in the community of Revava. I sat and nursed my wounds while others prepared the delicious dinner. During the meal, the wrist on the hand that I used … [Read more...]
Holiday riddles
October 22, 2008 by
You must know Hebrew, and math, fairly well to get this one:How is the number 40,320 associated with a Jewish holiday?Hint: Reduce to prime factors. This isn't really a riddle, but my son said that Isru Chag Sukkot (the day after Sukkot, and the last day of vacation) is also known as Yom Hacharisha … [Read more...]
The State of the Nation in Shul on Yom Kippur
October 12, 2008 by
People expect to pray peacefully on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. But the shul is overfull and there are distractions. Especially children. The acceptable level of noise and activity varies according to the community and physical facilities. But one person's kavanah (concentration during prayer) … [Read more...]
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