Collection
A set of source sheets examining aspects of the Jewish holidays.
Sheets
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Haftarah Machar Chodesh: A 3-Act Story
A set of questions to think more deeply about Haftarah Machar Chodesh, plus a Readers’ Theatre version.
Ice Cream for Breakfast: Dairy & Shavuot
Explanations for why we eat dairy on Shavuot, based on "Milk and Honey are Under Thy Tongue", but with texts in context and expanded.
Danish Jews During the Holocaust
How and why one country saved almost all of their Jews
The Haircut Holiday: Lag BaOmer
Sources and texts about Lag BaOmer
What’s Pesach Sheni?
An examination of what Pesach Sheni is and how we can apply the idea to today
What is Selichot?
Background information about Selichot, along with videos of how to chant the basic prayers
Hatikvah: Examining the Song
Looking at Hatikvah from different angles
Jewish Halloween: Sources and Stories
A look at Jewish sources on Halloween topics, as well as Jewish “ghost stories”
Shivat Tziyon: The Return to Zion in Jewish Liturgy
An examination of references to returning to Israel or Jerusalem in the liturgy
Contemporary Kinot
Most Tisha B’Av Kinot are long and not-well known. This is a set of “contemporary Kinot” that will fit the mood of the day while being shorter and better known. It was put together by Cantor Neil Schwartz
The Moods of Music - Hatikvah and the Prayer for the State of Israel
A sheet for those who want to consider moods of music in a Jewish context.
The History of the Yellow Candle
An article describing the history of the Yom HaShoah yellow candle.
The Story of Karpas
An examination of where the Karpas step comes from
The Story of the Four Children
An examination of the evolution of The Four Children, including musical, artistic, and video versions.
The Story of the Afikomen
An examination of the evolution of the afikomen
The Story of the Four Questions
An examination of how Ma Nishtana has evolved over time.
Weasels of the Talmud
Starting with weasels, mice, and chametz, this sheet looks at 3 weasel stories in depth and brings the other mentions of weasels in the Talmud in an appendix.
The Ultra-Chocolaty Haggadah
A haggadah for a chocolate seder, with chocolate in every step.
Clothing and Costumes in Judaism
An examination of the role clothing plays in Judaism