Collection
A set of source sheets examining aspects of the Jewish holidays.
Sheets
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From Chanukah to Tisha B’Av
An examination of how we went from the Hasmoneans to the Destruction of the Second Temple
How Festival Services Differ From Shabbat
A look at how Chag / Yuntif / Festival services are different from Shabbat services
Shivat Tziyon: The Return to Zion in Jewish Liturgy
An examination of references to returning to Israel or Jerusalem in the liturgy
Chanukah: The Sequel
A look at what happened in the Chanukah story after the last of the Maccabee brothers dies.
Al Hanissim
A sheet about the Chanukah prayer “Al Hanisim”, along with 5 explanations for why we celebrate for 8 days and light lights. Musical samples are included.
What’s Up With the Minor Fast Days?
Explaining the Minor Fast Days, with context for each source
The Origin of Chanukah Customs
An explanation of the customs of Dreidels, gelt, presents, the story, latkes, sufganiyot, candles, and “Maoz Tzur”.
Chanukah: The Complicated Version
An examination of the twists and turns of the Maccabee story from Mattathias through Simon.
Chanukah: The Prequel
A history of the events leading up to Chanukah
The Haircut Holiday: Lag BaOmer
Sources and texts about Lag BaOmer
What is Rosh Chodesh?
A text-based summary of the Rosh Chodesh basics.
Hatikvah: Examining the Song
Looking at Hatikvah from different angles
How to Get Meaning from the Shofar
A set of 18 different things that the shofar can make us think about
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.
Haftarah Machar Chodesh: A 3-Act Story
A set of questions to think more deeply about Haftarah Machar Chodesh, plus a Readers’ Theatre version.
Danish Jews During the Holocaust
How and why one country saved almost all of their Jews
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
Jewish Halloween: Sources and Stories
A look at Jewish sources on Halloween topics, as well as Jewish “ghost stories”
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