A two-night stay in Jerusalem offers support and treats for parents and children A group of 80 families, made up of widowed women and their combined total of 300 children, gathered at the Ramada Hotel in Jerusalem for two nights over Hanukkah, sponsored by Colel Chabad. The retreats have been happening annually since 2004, and […]

When they’re a minority in their school, how do these kids celebrate Chanukah? “When I grow up, I’m going to marry Matt. Then we’ll have an Xmas tree in our house,” five-year-old Emma Goodman declared, as her mother, Rebecca, picked her up from school one day in December. Emma, now seven, and her brothers, five-year-old […]

Furthering Muslim Morocco’s long-standing history of ‘peace and tolerance’ towards Jews History was made in Muslim Morocco on Sunday evening when for the first time ever two prominent government officials attended the Jewish community’s Chanukah festivities. Said Ahmidouch, the wali of Casablanca-Settat region, and Rachid Afirat, the governor of Casablanca-Anfa prefecture, joined more than 800 […]

A preschooler’s insistence for representation changes the holiday for season for his town. Five-year-old Brandon Rein was done. He clicked the yellow lego piece into place atop his carefully constructed menorah and sat back to survey his handiwork. His winter scene looked perfect. The houses were topped with snow, and his menorah stood tall, the […]

Lighting the menorah on Shrewsbury Town Common is no easy task, but I’ve done it nearly every night of Chanukah for the past 17 years. The first night’s lighting is always well-attended, since we invite the community to participate. For the next seven days, I light it myself each day at 4pm (except Fridays 3pm […]

Bring On The Light! Jewish tradition employs candle lighting to mark many important events, significant dates and Shabbat and festivals. Lighting candles is central to the observance of Chanukah. In this issue we look at Talmudic discussions that relate to light. 1. When discussing the verse in Genesis (1:16)  that G-d designated the sun as […]