by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 14, 2022 | Community, Happiness and Joy, Ki Tavo
By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz I can’t stand when people tell me to cheer up. How dare they tell me to be happy. It is infuriating. If I want to sink into a deep and dark depression, I will do so. And I generally do, at every party and celebration. You can’t...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 12, 2022 | God, Happiness and Joy, Holiness, Israel, Ki Tavo, Temple
By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz One year, I was doing my reserve duty in the Negev on a small base. On Friday night, I was guarding the front gate. To pass the time, I began learning about Bikkurim, the first fruits which are brought as an offering in the Temple. The sages...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 22, 2022 | God, Happiness and Joy, Hebrew Language, Israel, Re’eih, Temple
One year ago, I fulfilled my lifelong dream and moved from the suburbs of New Jersey to the Land of Israel. We moved to the small town of Efrat, just outside of Bethlehem, trading our view of the local gas station and pizza shop in New Jersey for a view of the...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 11, 2022 | 15th of Av, Community, Happiness and Joy, Israel, Marriage and Relationships, Ninth of Av, Psalms, Temple, Yom Kippur
The fifteenth day of the Hebrew month of Av is a post-biblical holiday. According to Jewish tradition, it is one of the happiest days of the year, as the Mishna states: “Israel had no holidays as joyous as Tu B’Av (the 15th of the Hebrew month of Av) and Yom Kippur...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 9, 2022 | 15th of Av, Happiness and Joy, Yom Kippur
What are the happiest days of the Jewish year? It seems like a simple question. Most people would guess – for good reason! – one or a combination of the following holidays: Passover (who doesn’t love Matzah and late night parties that celebrate...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 29, 2022 | Community, God, Happiness and Joy, Hebrew Language, Proverbs, Temple, Tests and Trials
The better hours of my adolescence were spent at Grateful Dead concerts. I made great friends and had a great time. But the main draw was, of course, the music. Tuned to the tempo of a heartbeat, the music was meant for slow dancing, swaying for hours. I loved...
