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Things We Learned from Giving Out Kiwis on Campus

It so happens that the Shalom Food Pantry had a surplus of Kiwis and more than they could distribute before they’d go bad. So they asked us if students would enjoy them. We served them at Shabbos House, at Kosher-on-Fuller, … Read the rest

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Brownie and Cookie-Dough

While watching the desserts being prepped for the Bake-Off on Friday I had a hunch about some of them, but wanted to wait until the actual crunch to have a better sense.

Turns out that 3 of the 7 desserts … Read the rest

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Another Monster at the End of This Book

It’s been over a decade now, maybe more, since we discovered an inner dimension and deeper meaning to Sesame Street’s classic “There’s a Monster at the End of This Book.” Some years we share it on Yom Kippur (it’s alumnus … Read the rest

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Hakhel Halftime: Superbowl LVIII 2024 Lessons & Insights

MR. IRRELEVANT

Brock Purdy was the very last draft pick, aka “Mr. Irrelevant”, yet here he is in the Superbowl playing against Patrick Mahomes. Pirkei Avot teaches us: “Don’t underestimate people – for every man has their hour.”

It so … Read the rest

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1/60 Nullification and the 60 Days of Adar

There’s a classic rule in Kosher law called 1/60 nullification. The 60X rule.

Don’t try this at home, be sure to consult with rabbinic guidance before employing, as there are a lot of factors and criteria to consider. But the … Read the rest

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Shabbat 360 2024 T-Shirt Reveal

T-SHIRT REVEAL FOR “SHABBAT 360” 2024… Coming up soon, on Feb 16th!

Chani designed the “Am Yisrael Chai” for this year’s “Shabbat 360” logo and souvenir t-shirt in a scripty font that culminates in an almost but not-quite complete circle.

Read the rest ...
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Mario’s Power-Ups

It so happens that Hillel Shabbat Dinner (we alternate Friday Nights at UAlbany for decades now) went with Nintendo-themed decor.

Not sure I ever played Mario, I never had one myself, but GameBoy came out maybe a year or two … Read the rest

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UAlbany’s Torah Scroll in the Science Library

This Shabbat Beshalach, when we read As Yashir – the Song at the Sea, I shared about the historic Torah scroll (from Czech Memorial Scroll Trust) on permanent public display at UAlbany’s Science Library, 3rd floor, sponsored by UAlbany alumni … Read the rest

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Dragonfruit for Yud Tes Kislev

I happened to find this box of dragon fruit at Restaurant Depot on the eve of Yud Tes Kislev, a major Chassidic holiday that falls a few days before Chanukah.

3 reasons, actually, connecting these dragonfruits to Yud Tes Kislev … Read the rest

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Vayishlach, Yud Tes Kislev, UAlbany Football, Hillel’s Swinter & Chanukah!

There’s a lot going on this Shabbos. Was thinking of how to connect this week’s Torah portion of Vayishlach, tonight’s Chassidic holiday of Yud-Tes-Kislev, tomorrow’s huge second round playoff game for UAlbany Football, Hillel’s “Swinter” theme and the upcoming holiday … Read the rest

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