Does the name Judah Touro sound familiar? If your answer is
no, you are in good company. Judah Touro was the greatest Jewish-American
philanthropist of the 1800s, having donated huge sums of money to hospitals,
orphanages, schools, churches and
The
Jewish concept of tikkun olam means “to repair the world.” Not only are there
many struggles, there are numerous ways a person can help each one. That is a massive
undertaking. Where does one even begin? War, oppression, climate
Summer is a time to say goodbye to long days in school, and say hello to long summer days in the sun relaxing with friends. But for some, summer is also time for new places, new people and new experiences. The unique experience of a Jewish summer camp, with Shabbat celebrations, special songs, dances, art, and activities introduces campers to the richness of Judaism and helps build Jewish identity. But going to camp for the first time, may bring worries about making friends, getting homesick, and trying new things. Even veteran campers may want to try out these books to see a slice of life at a Jewish camp.
In 1995, when my boys were 11 and 14, I purchased a lovely
book called Eight Nights, Eight Lights:
Family Values for Each Night of Hanukkah,
compiled by Rabbi Kerry Olitzky. It
contained short inspirational passages to be read aloud as part of the
candle-lighting ceremony. Some sections were written by modern rabbis. Others
came from older Jewish texts. But each one provided a meaningful moment of
reflection which added to our Hanukkah celebration, making this family time
together more than just a gift-giving event.
As we mourn the deaths of those in the Tree of Life Synagogue
tragedy, it’s comforting to know that there are many good people in the world
who stand with us. November 9 will mark the 20th anniversary of the
Paper Clips Project in Whitwell, Tennessee, in which the teachers and students
of this small rural community undertook to understand the magnitude of the
death of the six million Jews who died in the Shoah. Our book, “Six Million
Paper Clips,” which documents this project, continues to sell well throughout
the world. Here are the remarks by our good friends and authors Peter Schroeder
and Dagmar Schroeder-Hildebrand, which will be read at the 20th
anniversary event.
I know you're going to chuckle and think yeah, yeah when I say Jews have been trailblazers from the word go, but think about it. Long before environmental protection topped the world agenda it was an issue embedded in the bible; long before the “mosaic society” became part-and-parcel of 21st century life, Jews were a multi-cultural people by virtue of the diaspora. Then seventy years ago, a Jewish state with an entrepreneurial spirit was born embracing both. By the end of its first decade the country had become a collage of cultures, its scientists exploring ways to harness solar power and create technology for maximizing limited water resources.
Rabbi Kerry Olitzky has held many leadership positions in Jewish organizations.
He has written over 70 books and hundreds of articles
Yet, despite his many accomplishments, Rabbi Olitzky says that his latest project might be the most exciting of his career so far: writing a potty-training book with a Jewish bent. Where's the Potty On This Ark? is a whimsical retelling of the Noah's ark story.
Posted by Kar-Ben Editors on 7/17/2018
to Bible
This book is set in
ancient Egypt. Let me set the scene
for you: a marvelous boy filled with curiosity and optimism is enamored by
every single thing that catches his eye. He finds beauty in all things. This boy,
Bezalel, turns out to be, with other Israelites under Egyptian rule, a slave. However, his genuine
curiosity and appreciating for all things--mostly forgotten things--is refreshing. His
clinging to his ‘beautiful things box’ definitely hits home.
Today is Yom Hashoah, a day commemorating those who perished in the Holocaust and honoring those who survived. Today’s news sites carried a story about a recent survey commissioned by the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany. According to the study, 41 percent of Americans —-and 66 percent of millennials—- did not know what Auschwitz was.
Moving from a familiar place to a new one in the hopes of a different life can be a difficult concept for children to understand.
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Welcome to Kar-Ben's blog, a place for ideas and activities to inspire, entertain and educate young readers and their families. |
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The Most Famous Jewish Philanthropist You Never Heard Of
Putting Down Roots on Tu B'Shevat
The Abba Tree: A Brief Tree Guide
Yiddish: Not just a once-upon-a-time language
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