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  • The 'Kate Middleton effect' on synagogue fashion

    Lucy Cohen Blatter, JTA|Dec 11, 2015

    NEW YORK (JTA)—The so-called “Kate Middleton effect”—by which anything the Duchess of Cambridge wears becomes an instant best-seller—seems to know no bounds. She has graced the covers of countless magazines; entire blogs are devoted to what she wears. And, as it happens, the duchess is the perfect style icon for observant Jewish women. “She’s modest, demure and modern,” says Adi Heyman, founder of the fashion blog Fabologie. So it’s perhaps no surprise that one of Middleton’s signature style pieces—the fascinator—has caught on as a head cov... Full story

  • How a Jewish trans father inspired a hit series

    Curt Schleier, JTA|Dec 11, 2015

    (JTA)-Writer and director Jill Soloway grew up in what she calls a "somewhat normalish, upper middle class Jewish household" in Chicago. Her mom was a public relations consultant (she worked for Mayor Jane Byrne) and her dad a psychiatrist. But she always sensed that "something was a little off," she tells JTA in a telephone interview. "Not much more than that. Just a little bit different. Nothing I could easily identify." What that "little bit" was became clear about five years ago, when her... Full story

  • Jerusalem chosen among 'Best Cities in the World'

    Viva Sarah Press|Dec 4, 2015

    ISRAEL21c-Israel features in 11 categories in the Condé Nast Traveler's 28th annual Readers' Choice Awards. Jerusalem, El Al, and select Eilat, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv hotels were chosen as among the world's best in their different travel groupings. Jerusalem was named as one of the Best Cities in the World. "Long a place of religious pilgrimage for Christians, Jews and Muslims, Jerusalem is now drawing a different sort of pilgrim: the global traveler. In addition to its significant sacred and... Full story

  • Scene Around

    Gloria Yousha, Scene Around|Dec 4, 2015

    Have you ever heard of JDC?... I hadn't until now, actually not until I received this info in the mail last week. JDC stands for the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee. Their main headquarters is located at 711 Third Avenue, New York City. JDC is the world's leading Jewish humanitarian organization. For nearly a century, JDC has been saving lives and giving hope to the neediest Jews in the world. Throughout its long history, JDC has coupled the concern for Jewish lives with an equally... Full story

  • At Chanukah, how do we kindle the lights within ourselves?

    Dasee Berkowitz, JTA|Dec 4, 2015

    JERUSALEM (JTA)-There is nothing cuter than my 5-year old daughter coming home from kindergarten with an overly decorated menorah in hand singing "Ner li Ner li, ner li dakik," the Israeli version of "This Little Light of Mine." The song speaks about the little candle, so thin, small and all hers to light. Personalizing the holiday for kids is just good pedagogy. Through song, play and creative arts, early childhood educators get these little Maccabees to embody the holiday and feel they have... Full story

  • Chanukah karma? A miracle cancer recovery for Baruch Nissan Snyder

    Maayan Jaffe, JNS.org|Dec 4, 2015

    William (Baruch Nissan) Snyder is a vibrant 12-year-old boy. He loves baseball, football, swimming, riding his bike, and playing video games. He laughs heartily, his gigantic sense of humor shining through-with one hand on his special dog, Asha. But like his Hebrew name, William is a blessed miracle. Each day of his last 10-and-a-half years has been a miracle. Father Ron Snyder recalls that when William was around 7 months old, he and wife Lori felt "something didn't seem right" with their first... Full story

  • 'Avi the Ambulance Goes to School'

    Claudia Carlson|Dec 4, 2015

    Inspired by the lifesaving work of Magen David Adom, Avi the Ambulance brings young readers along on exciting adventures in emergency training and rescue. This picture-book series also helps young children discover the Jewish value of helping others. A new, multi-part illustrated book series introducing young readers to the mitzvot of helping others and saving lives has rolled out in time for the holidays. Developed through a new partnership between American Friends of Magen David (AFMDA) and... Full story

  • Ten tips for an accessible Chanukah party

    Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi and Alie Kriofske Mainella|Dec 4, 2015

    WASHINGTON (JTA)—With Chanukah on the way, it’s easy to hold a party where all guests—disabled and not—feel welcomed, respected and have fun. All it takes is some planning. Here are some tips to ensure you are being inclusive, thoughtful and welcoming to all. 1. Don’t be afraid. People with disabilities have their disabilities 24/7, so they know how to create workarounds that make them feel comfortable. If you know someone has a disability, use a simple strategy: Ask them what they need to be fully included. All too often, people with disa... Full story

  • Stuffed animals are more than just child's play

    Pamela Ruben|Dec 4, 2015

    Volunteers Bernice and Joe Davids had more fun than a barrel monkeys late last month, as they wrapped adorable plush gifts for Jewish Pavilion seniors earmarked for the coming Chanukah season. While many of us think of plush animals as toys intended for children, an increasing number of studies and anecdotal evidence suggest that stuffed animals can be effective comfort objects for people of all ages, and seniors in particular. A recent AARP article suggested that plush animals offer seniors... Full story

  • Refresh your Chanukah dessert table with pastry chef Paula Shoyer

    JNS.org|Dec 4, 2015

    It is a truth universally acknowledged that... we can never get tired of Chanukah latkes and sufganiyot (the holiday's deep-fried jelly doughnuts). But there's no harm in adding some culinary variety to this year's Festival of Lights. Pastry chef Paula Shoyer offers a doughnut recipe with a twist as well as two alternative recipes that are great for Chanukah and will satisfy any sweet tooth. All of the recipes are courtesy of Shoyer's "The Holiday Kosher Baker" (Sterling Epicure, November... Full story

  • Tips for doughnut-making success

    Dec 4, 2015

    If made properly, fresh doughnuts are never greasy and have a soft bread-like interior. To make healthier doughnuts, bake the doughnuts in a 350°F (180°C) oven for 20 minutes instead of frying. If the oil is the proper temperature, frying seals the outside layer of the doughnut and prevents the oil from seeping in. If the temperature of the oil is too low, it cannot form an exterior seal, resulting in greasy doughnuts that have absorbed too much oil. If the oil is too hot, the outside will burn before the inside is fully cooked and your doughnu... Full story

  • Why no Facebook filter in solidarity with Israeli victims?

    Jordana Horn, JTA|Nov 27, 2015

    SHORT HILLS, N.J. (JTA)-"Show your support for the people of Paris by temporarily updating your profile picture with this new template we created," read the Facebook-sponsored text promoted not 24 hours after last week's terror attacks in Paris. The social media giant invited users to overlay their profile picture with the blue, white and red colors of the French flag. Within hours, my Facebook feed became awash in those colors, as well-meaning friends painted their virtual faces in solidarity... Full story

  • Humanizing the Holocaust: 'Kindertransport' by Theater at the J

    Nov 27, 2015

    By Caleb R. Newton Nov. 9, 2015, was the 77th Anniversary of the Night of Broken Glass, known in German as Kristallnacht. Seventy-seven years ago, the Nazis and their comrades stormed through the streets of Germany and German-occupied lands, killing nearly 100 Jews and terrorizing hundreds of thousands more. In humanitarian response, encouraged by groups like the British Committee for the Jews of Germany, the British government allowed the transport of thousands of endangered, mostly Jewish, chi... Full story

  • Scene Around

    Gloria Yousha, Scene Around|Nov 27, 2015

    Before I start this column... I want to express my deepest sympathy to the loved ones of those who were murdered in the recent Paris massacre. My prayers are also for the people who were seriously wounded. How cruel. How sad. How sick. The brilliance of Israeli universities... I'm sure that most of you already know about the great strides being made in Israeli universities, many involving medical solutions. For instance, here are some of the accomplishments of Ben-Gurion University of the... Full story

  • Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup with Matzah Balls

    Shannon Sarna|Nov 27, 2015

    (The Nosher via JTA)—Thanksgiving was a sacred holiday in my family growing up. There were a series of rituals, smells, sounds and foods we knew we could expect each and every year without fail. The Macy’s Day Parade on TV in the background. Pillsbury biscuits with lots of butter. Stuffed mushrooms. Glazed sweet potatoes. And at least one person lighting themselves on fire by accident. One of the foods that always made an appearance occurred after Thanksgiving itself: leftover turkey noodle soup that my dad would make with the remaining tur... Full story

  • Seeking Kin: What happened to Atlantans' relative after a 1930s sighting?

    Hillel Kuttler|Nov 27, 2015

    The Seeking Kin column aims to help reunite long-lost relatives and friends. (JTA)-For the Wenders, a family friend's glimpse of their relative Chaim was a case of so close, yet so far. It was in the mid-1930s, when the friend, Israel Yudelson, was visiting prestate Israel. At a Tel Aviv library, he spotted a familiar face. "You look like the Wenders I know back in Atlanta," Yudelson is said to have told the man. "I'm Chaim Wender," he responded. Yudelson did not write down the man's address or... Full story

  • New Bible translation speaks an eternal language: the land and people of Israel

    Deborah Fineblum Schabb, JNS.org|Nov 27, 2015

    With the publication of a new edition of the Hebrew Bible under his belt, Rabbi Naphtali (Tuly) Weisz is set to manifest his vision for honoring and nurturing evangelical Christian support for Jews and the Jewish homeland. It wasn't so long ago that Christians weren't always viewed as a Jew's best friend. But that's not how things are playing out today, says Weisz, the former pulpit rabbi of Beth Jacob Congregation in Columbus, Ohio. Ordained by the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary at... Full story

  • Thanksgiving in Israel isn't easy

    Shifrah Devorah Witt, JTA|Nov 20, 2015

    (Kveller via JTA)—When I moved to Israel 11 years ago, I knew many things about my life would change. I knew I’d have to learn a new language, a new culture and give up lots of things about my old way of life. But a girl’s got to be honest with herself—there are some things in life you can give up on and some things you’d never dream of letting go. For me, a traditional Thanksgiving is one of those things I’m keeping, especially here in the Holy Land. One thing you have to know about celebrating Thanksgiving in Israel is that while this may be... Full story

  • The power of Mahjong in giving

    Nov 20, 2015

    No cracks, bams or dots about it. And no jokers here! Running into a wall... or wall game... was never so much fun! For nearly two years, a group of Orlando women have been playing mahjong and saving their "wall" winnings. For those that are not familiar, a "wall" game basically is a winner-less game. The group, composed of Es Cohen, Dolores Indek, Judy Kahan, Lila Tinkoff and Linda Wallerstein made a decision that each player would contribute a quarter each time there was a wall game, with the... Full story

  • Jewish Pavilion's 'A Taste in the Park' brings the generations to the table

    Nov 20, 2015

    By Pamela Ruben "Today's A Taste in the Park and multi-generational festival more than lived up to its name, and exceeded all our expectations by bringing every generation to the table on behalf of the elder community," stated Jewish Pavilion Executive Director Nancy Ludin. More than 400 participants of all ages stepped up to the plate, munching happily on samplings from dozens of restaurants while visiting with friends and neighbors of all ages at the Pavilion-sponsored tasting event. The... Full story

  • Scene Around

    Gloria Yousha, Scene Around|Nov 20, 2015

    Memories of World War II... (I hate to admit it but I have such memories also, even though I'm NOT that old!!!!) In a recent issue of Reminisce Magazine, a lady named MARLENE B. BROWN wrote this article. It struck a chord with me and I send it along to you: "How well I remember the last days of the war; I grew up in Newark, New Jersey, and my neighbor Frank and I shredded old newspapers and filled bushel baskets in anticipation of the war's end. On the day victory was announced, Frank took the... Full story

  • Sesame Street's lessons for the Jews: Dr. Lewis Bernstein at the Dali Museum

    Caleb R. Newton|Nov 20, 2015

    Nov. 10, 2015, was the 46th anniversary of the launch of the children's television program "Sesame Street" back in 1969. The Jewish Community's Dr. Lewis Bernstein worked on both the original American version and the Israeli-Palestinian versions of the show for many years. On Nov. 4, the Jewish Federation of Pinellas and Pasco Counties, Florida, hosted Bernstein as guest speaker for their 2016 Campaign Launch Party, "The Art of Giving," held at the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg,... Full story

  • '70s sitcom king Norman Lear on making groundbreaking TV shows

    Cindy Sher, JUF News via JTA|Nov 20, 2015

    CHICAGO (JUF News via JTA)-Norman Lear describes a lot of encounters in life as the "foolishness of the human condition"-and he's examined that foolishness for nine decades and counting on television and off. Real life-even the pain and sadness-has the foolish baked right in, according to Lear. "There is humor everywhere," he said. "Standing with a group of people watching a casket go into the ground and [you see] the chief mourner scratching his [tuchas]. There is humor there. Where there is... Full story

  • What do Jewish federations actually do?

    Uriel Heilman|Nov 20, 2015

    NEW YORK (JTA)—Some 3,000 Jews gathered in Washington Nov. 8-10 for the annual General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America. If you’re a little fuzzy on what Jewish federations are and what they do, you’re not alone. Here’s a primer. What’s a Jewish federation? Jewish federations are centralized charities run by local Jewish communities around the United States. In each community, the federation raises money from local sources and then funds a variety of local, national and international needs—everything from elder housing for... Full story

  • At Reform biennial, focus on social justice and tradition

    Uriel Heilman, JTA|Nov 20, 2015

    ORLANDO (JTA)-Growing up in a traditional Jewish household, Joan Cubell didn't really know much about Reform Judaism. But after obtaining ordination a few years ago from a little-known rabbinical institute in suburban New York, Cubell decided to make her home in the Reform movement. First she got a job as the leader of the Reform Temple Beth Shira in Boca Raton, Florida, and more recently she launched her own start-up congregation in Boca, Beit Kulam, Hebrew for House of Everyone. "Reform's the... Full story

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