Nothing calls for a trip to the lake, beach or pool with a great book in hand more than the dog days of summer. Luckily, we have these books for adults and young adults—some by Jewish authors and others with Jewish storylines—for you to add to your summer reading list this month. In Another Time by Jillian Cantor In 1931 Germany, bookshop owner Max Beissinger meets Hanna Ginsberg, a budding concert violinist. I...
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Wearing jewelry dates back to the Old Testament when Abraham’s servant—who goes looking for a wife for Isaac—gives the young Rebecca, who fetched water for him and his camels, a nose ring and bracelets (Genesis 24:47). In more recent times, jewelry has become a personal outlet for many Jews to proudly display their heritage, from necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings bearing beautiful Jewish symbols, to those disp...
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“You shall bind them as a sign upon your hand, and they shall be for a reminder between your eyes.” —Deuteronomy 6:8 Jewish men who perform tefillin—binding the boxes and straps onto their head and upper arm during prayer—may be doing more than creating a bond between the God who commands and the man who performs the powerful mitzvah. It could be good for the heart, too, says a study by researchers at the Uni...
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When our ancestors migrated to the United States decades ago, many longed to adopt America’s traditions while still holding onto their strong Jewish roots. For many, the perfect way to assimilate was through the celebration of Thanksgiving, a secular holiday that’s largely centered on the three Fs—family, food and football. Today, Thanksgiving is the most widely celebrated holiday for American Jews. Digging a little deepe...
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