Sunday, November 13, 2011

"1906, Dreyfus rehabilitated" Online Exhibit

The Dreyfus Affair (which I've mentioned on this blog before) was an important catalyst for world Jewry, inspiring Theodor Herzl to organize early Zionists into a World Zionist Congress. There is a wonderful Alfred Dreyfus exhibit available here:
http://www.dreyfus.culture.fr/en/index.htm. It features a wealth of information, multimedia presentations, documents of the Dreyfus family, life in France in the 1890s, and news surrounding Dreyfus and his trials.

To explore the role of political cartoons in the public conversations surrounding the Affair, check out:
1906, Dreyfus rehabilitated : Caricatures - page 1


Dreyfus' trials revealed deep social injustice toward Jews, but they also revealed that not all non-Jews are anti-Semites. The most notable among the friends Jews found in this dark time is Emile Zola, who wrote a famous letter to the President of the Republic of France titled "J'Accuse!" (I accuse!), published in a major newspaper. You can find a wiki document featuring the original article and its translation here: http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/J%27accuse.

Tel Aviv Fashion Week. November 21-23, 2011 – Tourist Israel Travel Guide

With thanks to Hannah, in my Etz Chayim Sixth Grade Class, check out this blurb about this exciting economic and artistic showcase in the coming weeks:

Tel Aviv Fashion Week. November 21-23, 2011 – Tourist Israel Travel Guide

For more information about the events of Tel Aviv Fashion Week, check out:
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/tel-aviv-gets-its-style-on-as-fashion-week-makes-roaring-return-1.391826
http://blogs.forward.com/the-shmooze/138978/

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Moroccan Jews Making Changes to America's Quintissential Ashkenazic Institution--Manishewitz

With Some Passing on Gefilte Fish, A New Lure: Fish 'Meatballs'

Manischewitz Takes Mediterranean Turn, Hoping to Spice Up Fare; 'What Is Cumin?'

For years, gefilte fish—plump little patties of minced fish—has been the Jewish holiday treat that some Jews love to hate.

These days, some say they've moved on. "Tradition is important but it needs updating—it doesn't have to be only about gefilte fish anymore," says Chany Konikov, a rabbi's wife in Southampton, N.Y., who also likes poached salmon and sushi.

Even Paul Bensabat wasn't that impressed when he tried it. "Boring," he says. "Pretty bland." And he's co-CEO of Manischewitz Co., one of the largest producers of gefilte fish. When Mr. Bensabat and partners took over the 123-year-old company, they decided to spice things up. One idea: Moroccan fish balls.

For more:
With Some Passing on Gefilte Fish, Manischewitz Tries a New Mediterranean Lure - WSJ.com

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Awe-Inspiring Spectacle of the Yom Kippur Ritual of the Temple

Here are some sites from today's Etz Chayim sixth grade lesson on the awe-inspiring spectacle of the Yom Kippur Ritual of the Temple.

 First we looked at http://www.sci.brooklyn.cuny.edu/~mtwersky/, which charts out the entire Yom Kippur Avodah (service) set of rituals. This includes descriptions of the parade leading to the Temple, explanations of all of the sacrifices in detail, diagrams and descriptions of the High Priest's (Kohein Gadol) clothing. In addition to learning about the sacrificial system, we were able to see the similarities in dress between the Kohein Gadol and Ashkenazic Torah scrolls.

Next, we looked at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem's Interactive Second Temple Model (http://www.english.imjnet.org.il/htmls/page_1382.aspx?c0=14816&bsp=12729), which allowed us to appreciate the grandeur of the Second Temple and how the building added to the sense of amazement and spectacle that the Temple inspired.

We concluded by opening a discussion (which we will continue on Wednesday) about what the purposes of the Temple sacrifices were (referencing http://www.jewfaq.org/qorbanot.htm) and read one prominent contemporaries response to the bloodiness and primitive emotion of the sacrifices themselves (Bradley Shavit Artson, at http://www.myjewishlearning.com/texts/Bible/Weekly_Torah_Portion/vayikra_artson5762.shtml).

Israel's top 45 greatest inventions of all time | Technology

Israel's top 45 greatest inventions of all time | Technology

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

High Holy Day Music from throughout the Jewish World JNUL - Jewish National & University Library

As we start another year of studies, I invite my students and their families to check out this wonderful database of Jewish music from around the world for Selichot, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur.

JNUL - Jewish National & University Library

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Fit for the eaters AND fit for the workers

"Kasher" literally means (in Hebrew) "fit" or "suitable." Generally, this has been interpreted as meaning "fit for eating." Today, there are important campaigns within multiple Jewish denominations (including the denominations most committed to traditional kashrut, Conservative and Orthodox Judaism) to make food fit for the animals who feed us and for the workers who prepare and serve our food. Here's an article about new certification processes for ethical labor standards.
Kosher establishments pledge ethical labor standards - chicagotribune.com

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Article from The Guardian about growing up on a kibbutz

This article by Noam Shpancer highlights themes shared my sixth grade classroom by a parent who also grew up on a kibbutz. It is critical of the practice of raising children in "Children's Houses" and talks about how kibbutzim today are different.

Child of the collective | Life and style | The Guardian