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Stop the Music!!!!!!

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Oh, gracious! I thought it was just me. But, now I’m backed by science!

You see, I always thought it was just because I was Jewish that my nerves were on edge with the incessant Christmas music playing everywhere comes the day after Thanksgiving (or even earlier). I was sure it was because when I grew up in Forest City, where all the neighbors’ homes had speakers blaring out songs that I really never learned. Or, when I walked into a store, only to be greeted not by a salesperson, but by the sounds of a Christmas Carol or ditty. And, no, I didn’t care if the songs were written by Jewish folks or not.

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Merry Christmas!!!!

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No, it’s not my holiday. Nor have I ever considered celebrating.

But, that doesn’t mean we don’t have our own family traditions revolving about this day. For years, I’d haul my kids to the local Shoneys. One of the few places open on Christmas morning. (By the time my youngest [son] turned 9 [by then, he was the only child in the home], the Shoneys had closed.  So, we switched to a local [hole-in-the-wall] diner, which also had a Santa and a brunch.) Where we’d enjoy a wonderful brunch and watch the store Santa visit all the little kids. Which brought joy to mine, seeing the happiness in others.

Continue reading Merry Christmas!!!!

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O, Chanuka, O Chanuka, Come light the menora…

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Tonight will be the first night of Chanuka, the 25th day of Kislev.  For those of you who celebrate Christmas, you might recognize that number- 25. That date wasn’t chosen by accident by the first Christians. (It also explains why this is one of the few- the very few- holidays Christians celebrate on the “eve”- because it derives from the Jewish rule that a day is one evening and one morning….)

Continue reading O, Chanuka, O Chanuka, Come light the menora…

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Stop? Assembly? Who knows….

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Last night was the 7th day of Sukot- but it has a special name-  Hoshana Raba.  Kind of like a mini-Yom Kipur.  During services, we destroy the willow branches that are part of the Lulav and Etrog (see the picture below) we’ve employed during this seven day festival.  We either do this because it was part of the rain-bringing rituals that existed centuries ago- or to remind us of repentance.  (The origin of the practice is simply not clear to us today.)

Continue reading Stop? Assembly? Who knows….

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Shabat Shabaton

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Asara B’Tishrei.  The 10th Day of Tishrei.   That’s tonight’s (and tomorrow’s) Hebrew Date.  But, you probably are more familiar with the traditional name of the holy day- Yom Kipur.  Yom Kipur marks the end of 40 days of introspection, repentance, and preparation; rearranging our lives so we can be better humans, that we can make this world a better place- with renewed vigor.

Continue reading Shabat Shabaton

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