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SHAVUOT BECKONS!

The Jewish month of Sivan is hallowed because we embrace the Yom Tov (holiday) of Shavuot. It commemorates the day the Torah was given on Mount Sinai. It is said that all Jews alive at the time–indeed every Jewish Neshama (soul)–heard the Ten Commandments being read. G-d, Himself, spoke the fist two commandments, but when…

CELEBRATE PASSOVER

Sundown, April 5, begins the holiday of Passover (“Pesach”). Jews the world over celebrate the Exodus from Egypt. G-d, Himself, led us from bondage to becoming a unified nation. We remember this momentous event by praying and participating in Seders. As always, the Cruger Avenue Synagogue opens its doors to all, offering FREE Community Seders…

PURIM IS A BIG MEGILLAH

The holiday of Purim is one of the happiest days on the Jewish calendar. It commemorates the triumph of good over evil. The treacherous Haman planned to annihilate the Jewish people until the virtuous Mordechai and his niece, Queen Esther, thwarted the plan. Through a series of “hidden” miracles, the Jews were saved, while Haman…

WE LIGHT UP YOUR CHANUKAH

Chanukah, known as the “Festival of Lights,” is, once again, shining on Jews the world over. An eight-day holiday, this year’s first candle was lit on Sunday, December 18, and will conclude on December 26. From the time we are children, we’re told about the miracle of Chanukah; how a small amount of oil–enough to…

COME DANCE WITH US

The last two days of Sukkot are actually individul holidays–Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah–and are two of the most joyous days on the Jewish calendar. They are considered major Yom Tovs (holidays), and the same laws as Shabbos apply (except for cooking from a pre-existing flame and carrying). Shemini Atzeret offers the prayer for rain…

TIME FOR SUKKOT The holiday of Sukkot literally translates to the “Festival of Booths.” It commemorates G-d’s protection as the Jews wandered the dessert for 40 years after leaving Egypt. For a week, Jews are supposed to dwell in Sukkahs (huts), eat their meals there and actually even sleep there. The first two days and…

SOUNDING OF THE SHOFAR

The High Holy Days are once again upon us. Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, begins a ten day period of personal introspection–culminating in Yom Kippur– and a longing to be better Jews (and people) than we were the year before. Hashem, the Almighty, opens the “Book of Life” and decides our fate. The Shofar…

SHAVUOT: THE ULTIMATE CELEBRATION

The holiday of Shavuot commemorates the greatest event in the history of man–the giving of the Torah to the Jewish people! Every Jew alive–and every Jewish neshama (soul)–gathered at Mount Sinai and heard the Ten Commandments being read by Moses (though G-d Himself read the first two commandments out loud). All of Earth (humans and…

PASSOVER SERVICES AND SEDERS

The holiday of Passover is one of the most important on the Jewish calendar. The period marks the Exodus of the Jews from Egypt, on their way to receiving the Torah and then settling in the land of Israel. It is incumbent on every Jew–an obligation–to attend at least one seder on Passover. At the…

PURIM JOY

Sundown, March 16, marks the beginning of one of the most joyous yom tovs (holidays) on the Jewish calendar. Purim commemorates the miraculous story of Queen Esther and her cousin, Mordechai, and their triumph in saving the Jewish people from extinction at the hands of the evil Haman. During the day, leading up to the…