Something New for Rosh Hashanah: Be Like the Moon
Before there was a set calendar for the Jewish year, the beginning of a new month would be declared by the Jewish court when the new moon emerged in the sky. To let the people know, fires would be set on hilltops.
Today, as in ancient times, the moon’s journey around the earth takes approximately 29 days. The lunar cycle, however, doesn’t start when the moon is full. The new moon that marks the beginning of the month is invisible to the human eye, filling out mid-cycle before fading away again....
Behind the Scenes: Rosh Hashanah with Uncle Max
Don’t Be a Fool, Read About Chelm
Your First Languages Are Like Your First Love—They Stay with You Forever
Friends are the Best Medicine
When COVID-19 shut the world down, we suddenly found ourselves guinea pigs in a giant experiment of forced isolation. A second pandemic soon followed: loneliness.
We know that humans are social creatures, but being alone for too long can literally make one sick. Research has shown a correlation between loneliness and negative health outcomes. A few minutes of laughing with a friend produces “happy hormones,” like serotonin and dopamine, and boosts immunity. Scientists have also observed that people with greater social networks live longer and recover from illness faster.
What are You Afraid of?
Witches, monsters, goblins and hungry wolves—children’s stories are full of dangerous and evil creatures. The world, as seen through the eyes of a child, is indeed a scary place.