The world’s oldest known medieval Judaica relic is now its most valuable, too
The 12th-century Kiddush cup, which sheds light on the little-known Jewish community of eastern Khorasan, went for $4 million
The 12th-century Kiddush cup, which sheds light on the little-known Jewish community of eastern Khorasan, went for $4 million
A reader seeks a — potentially controversial — outlet for their glee
When Cantor Ilana Plutzer was serving as a chaplain at Rikers Island a few years ago, she went to the kitchen to get grape juice for Jews in the jail who said they were not getting it with Shabbat meals as they were promised. Plutzer said a kitchen worker told her they did not have…
A Maryland county issued an executive order that permits synagogues to reopen but effectively prohibits kiddush receptions. As of May 29, houses of worship in Howard County may hold services with up to 10 people inside and 250 people outside. However, most forms of physical contact, from shaking hands to sharing food, are prohibited. “No…
A Jewish animal welfare group is providing grants for U.S. synagogues to “go vegan” for one year. The Shamayim V’Aretz Institute will donate $5,000 to five synagogues to help offset the costs of only providing food on Shabbat and holidays that contain no animal products whatsoever. “Veganism is one of the fastest-growing trends in America…
[Editor’s Note: I received this email this morning and it put a smile on my face — I hope it will put one on yours as well! The email has been edited for length and clarity.] Given your post about using umbrellas on Shabbat, I thought you would be interested in the story below: In…
An earlier version of this post appeared in the Leviathan Jewish Journal, December 2015. The Magen David, or the Jewish star, used to be known as something else: The “brewer’s star.” As early as the 14th century, the six-pointed star was stamped on the bottom of beer barrels by the European brewers’ guild. Its purpose…
British newlyweds Ian and Janice Donoff sponsored a kiddush last Shabbat at London’s Stanmore Synagogue — but not for one of the usual reasons, like a bar mitzvah, aufruf, baby naming or birthday. Their celebration was to give thanks for surviving the recent Costa Concordia shipwreck off the coast of Italy. As the couple was…
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