One day this Chanukah 2017 I shared two Chanukah stories with my 7th graders at the Maimonides School in Albany. They asked, “Hey, both these stories are about Chanukah in the forest, deep in the woods. How come?” I started … Read the rest

In the spirit of our “Final-ly Chanukah” theme for Chanukah – Finals Week at UAlbany in 2017, we lit a large “Test-Menorah” made up of 4 types of Chanukah Tests. While they may be harder to read on the circular … Read the rest

Our theme for Chanukah 2017/5778 is “Final-ly Chanukah!” given that this year it falls over Finals Week at UAlbany. We’re doing a “Test-Menorah” decked out in Multiple-Choice, True and False, Essay Questions…  and a student asked that each day have … Read the rest

Being that Chanukah 2017 falls over Finals Week at UAlbany, we’re going with a “Final-ly Chanukah” theme. This year we’re lighting a Test-Menorah on the Podium, with the branches of the Menorah decorated as different types of test … Read the rest

It so happens that Raizy’s family will be celebrating a Bris and a wedding on the same day this coming week. Thank G-d for Simchas and Mazal Tovs, wishing for many more! As we were sitting around discussing the logistics, … Read the rest

You know the Chevron symbol? It might be familiar because of the gas company by that name, or because of its common use in military insignia. Merriam-Webster says that the name Chevron comes from the Latin word caper for goat, … Read the rest

The Lei (plastic) flower garlands at our Hawaiian Shabbat made me think of necklaces in general, and wonder about a spiritual relevant life message, a Jewish insight we could come up with about necklaces? or necks? Once I started thinking … Read the rest

What G-d said or didn’t say to Abraham

The title of this post comes from the opening verse of Lech-Lecha, where G-d tells Abraham to make this journey… to the land I will show you. There are many commentaries on … Read the rest

This Shabbat Lech-Lecha (5778/2017) we went with a Tinkertoy theme. The tables were arranged Tinker-toy-style with round tables (like the Tinkertoy wheels) connecting rectangular ones (like the Tinkertoy sticks), and on each of your tables there’s a small arrangement of … Read the rest

Originally an Arab food, Felafel (in pita, with salad and toppings) has become synonymous with Israel, as a widely popular street food or fast-food. The Baal Shem Tov taught that there can and should be a spiritual life message in … Read the rest