Looking for fun, meaningful, and low-pressure ways to celebrate Sukkot with your kids? This guide offers a few simple and joyful tips, even if you cannot build a Sukkah!

Looking for fun, meaningful, and low-pressure ways to celebrate Shavuot with your kids? This guide offers 8 simple and joyful tips for secular Jewish families — including stories, blessings, creative activities, and playful traditions that work perfectly for Jewish families.

Why Shabbat Matters (Even in a Busy Life) Shabbat is more than just a tradition—it’s a weekly reset. It gives us a chance to slow down, be present, and really connect with each other. In a world that moves fast, Shabbat reminds us to pause, breathe, and enjoy the people and moments that matter most. For families, it’s a beautiful way to create calm, connection, and joy—together. And it’s no coincidence that this day of rest was built into our story from the very beginning. T

Want to bring Hebrew into your home without making it a whole thing ? You don’t need a full-on lesson plan or flashcards (unless you're into that). Start with a few easy words—words you can actually use every single day. Here are 10 Hebrew words your kids (and you!) can start using right now—just for fun, just because: Thank you One of the first words to learn—and one of the sweetest. “Todah for helping!” “Todah for the hug!” “Todah for… finally brushing your teeth!” Mess

A Week of Emotion: From Grief to Celebration Every year, around this time, my heart stirs with a familiar mix of emotions. In Israel, Yom HaZikaron (Memorial Day) and Yom Ha'atzmaut (Independence Day) come back-to-back — a sharp, almost overwhelming transition. One moment, the entire country stands still in grief and memory, honoring those we lost. And the very next moment, the streets burst into celebration, into life. It’s not an easy shift. But maybe that’s part of Israe

Childhood Memories: Shabbat Dinners at My Parents’ House When I used to hear the word tradition , I’d picture something old, dusty, and meant for other people—mainly grandparents. As a teenager growing up in Israel, all I really wanted on Friday nights was to hang out with my friends. Spending the evening with my family around the dinner table felt like the opposite of fun. Why sit through boring blessings and stories when I could be out laughing with my friends? But every we

In April, we celebrate Passover חַג הַפֶּסַח (Pesach), one of the most important holidays in the Jewish calendar. During Pesach, we remember the יציאת מצרים (Exodus from Egypt), the journey of the Jewish people from slavery to freedom. The holiday falls in the spring, a time when nature renews itself and begins to bloom—just like the Jewish people, who were freed from Egypt and began a new life of freedom. The Hebrew months that fall in April are נִיסָן (Nisan) and אִיָּיר (I

Purim is a time of joy, costumes, and hamantaschen, but at its heart lies an incredible story of courage and empowerment. Queen Esther, the heroine of the Purim story, wasn’t just a queen—she was a leader who took a stand when it mattered most. Her bravery and wisdom continue to inspire women and girls today. From Fear to Fearless At first, Esther wasn’t sure she could make a difference. She was young, living in a palace far from her people, and she had a secret—she was Jewis

Since Oct 7, we have received many supportive messages from Jews abroad that warm our hearts. Except for one. It came from a Jewish woman residing in the USA, accusing Israel of committing genocide against the Palestinians. While disappointing, it's not surprising, and I'm sure she's not alone in this belief.   As the war continues in Gaza, and the number of Palestinian casualties is increasing, more and more people in the world believe that Israel commits genocide. Unfortuna

Purim is one of the most exciting and joyous holidays in the Jewish calendar! It’s a time for celebration, creativity, and giving, and it’s a wonderful opportunity to bring Jewish traditions to life for your kids—no matter where you live. Whether you’re part of a local Jewish community or celebrating at home, here’s everything you need to know about how Purim is celebrated. 1. Reading the Megillah (The Story of Esther)  📖🎭 The heart of Purim is the Megillah, the Scroll of E

When I was 18 years old, I proudly joined the IDF (Israeli Defense Force), like many Israeli youngsters. I served for two years, the first in Hebron and the second near Eilat. My role involved encoding and decoding highly classified messages. It was an unusual experience to leave home and get used to obeying orders, but I felt honored to serve my country, the only homeland for Jewish people.   In Israel, when a mother welcomes a baby boy, her first concern is about the Brit p

The Tishrei holidays of 2023 ended with our worst nightmare, and life will never be the same. On October 5, my husband, our four kids, and I, along with four families – friends for 18 years – headed to the Ramat Hagolan for a holiday weekend getaway. The place was peaceful; we had a fantastic time in the cozy wooden cabins, hiking through the beautiful green scenery, and enjoying each other's company. Friday brought a thrilling rafting adventure on the Jordan River, with the

Today marks 60 days since that black Shabbat. Sixty days of war, 60 days of immense pain and worry—concern for the hostages and our soldiers fighting in Gaza. In the deepest darkness, Israel's greatest strength has emerged, unveiling our secret power: unity. The war compelled us to set aside our differences, fostering a spirit of solidarity and mutual assistance. We've witnessed an extraordinary volunteering spirit among citizens from all corners of Israel, extending help to

Raising Jewish children in a public school setting can be a unique challenge for interfaith parents. On the one hand, public schools offer a diverse and inclusive learning environment that can help children learn about and appreciate different cultures and ways of life. On the other hand, the lack of Jewish resources and support can make it difficult for parents to instill their faith and values in their children. One way to address this challenge is to find ways to bring Jew

As Jewish parents, it is important to instill in our children the values and traditions of our faith. One way to do this is by encouraging them to be active members of the Jewish community. This can take many forms, from participating in synagogue services and events, to volunteering for community service projects, to joining youth groups and organizations. But how can we ensure that our children are not only participating in these activities, but also truly internalizing the

Teaching jewish children to prioritize their faith and values in a secular world can be a challenging task for many parents. In today's modern world, children are constantly bombarded with messages and images that may not align with traditional Jewish values. From social media to television to the internet, it can be difficult to ensure that children are receiving positive and meaningful messages. One way to address this challenge is to make an effort to create a Jewish-cente

The concept of kavod ha-briyot, or respect for all human beings, is an integral part of Judaism. It is a belief that every person, regardless of their background, beliefs, or abilities, is deserving of respect and dignity. This belief is deeply rooted in the Jewish tradition and is reflected in many of the teachings and practices of the religion. In Judaism, the value of kavod ha-briyot is emphasized from a young age. The Talmud teaches that all human beings are created b'tze

Jewish history and culture is a vast and complex topic, with a rich and varied heritage that stretches back over 4,000 years. From the ancient civilization of the Israelites in the land of Israel to the global diaspora of Jews today, the history and culture of the Jewish people has been shaped by a series of significant events, movements, and influences. In this article, we will delve into some of the key aspects of Jewish history and culture, exploring the religion, traditio

The concept of tzedakah, or charitable giving, is a central aspect of Jewish tradition and ethical conduct. Tzedakah is more than just giving money to those in need; it is about creating a just and compassionate society, and about working to address the root causes of poverty and social inequality. One of the key sources for the importance of tzedakah in Judaism is the Torah, which contains numerous passages that stress the importance of caring for the poor and supporting tho

How Faith Shapes Our Values and Why It's Important to Find Common Ground Faith plays a powerful role in shaping the values and beliefs of people around the world, and is a central aspect of many religious traditions. For Jews, faith is a central part of their identity and culture, and is shaped by their experiences, traditions, and beliefs. At the same time, faith can also be a source of conflict and disagreement, as people of different faiths may hold different beliefs and v