Welcome!

And of course, as the only non-Jewish woman there, I goofed my menorah and proved to everyone I can’t even count lol 😭 Aside from my cookie mistake, it was such a fun time with amazing people! I got invited back for the weekly women’s group, so I’m pretty nervous/excited 😅

My partner is Jewish and wanted to connect with that side of himself more, so I got us connected with our local rabbi. Through supporting him, I ended up falling in love with the community, the traditions, and for the first time in my entire life I looked forward to attending weekly services! We are now at our rabbi’s home at least on a weekly basis for either Shabbat services, weekly class, the monthly dinner they host, or some additional event going on.

My partner and I dived into this experience together, and while I may never be Jewish, my life will forever be changed for the better by having this in my life. So if anyone has any suggestions for being a supportive partner or how not to fuck up my cookie decorating next time, I’m all ears! 😂

i am not jewish, but teach at a jewish preschool. my baby attends the school as well and i am wanting to gift his morah’s & the director (my boss) something for chanukah. i am wondering if the gift i am thinking of is appropriate or not. i’ve taught here for 4 years, but this is the first year i’ve had a baby here, so have never done morah gifts here before (although i have received many!).

i was thinking of getting custom bags with his morahs’ names, chanukah matches in a custom glass jar and a set of 9 nice beeswax candles from a local shop. i know technically you need 45 candles, but i can’t afford 45 of these candles for 3 different morah’s 😭 i was also going to include a wallet print of my son’s school picture, as they have all been asking for copies. is this an appropriate gift to give? my boss and 1 morah are orthodox, while the other morah is jewish, but not religious. he also has 1 morah who is not jewish and i will be gifting her something different. thanks so much!

So, I got home from work and I was sitting down for dinner when I noticed this blue thread coming off my Tzitzit. It’s just a random piece of fluff/string from something, but I don’t know what! At first, I thought it was just stuck to my pants, but I realized that it was somehow wound up with end of the Tzitzit; I actually had to untangle it. Anyways, I thought it was interesting because of Numbers 15:38, so I thought I’d share here!

Not only did they get their “Chanukah” section out and immediately put it on sale (because we’re all cheap) and mostly out of the way, BUT they upped their game with Chanukah Anal Beads (marketed as “garland”)

It’s a heavy table (?). Like it has four legs like a table has but far too small to be an actual table, I just couldn’t figure out a better description for it at the moment. Somehow my partner and I had it in our stuff, so I don’t know how we got it, but luckily I kept it with my candles other items generally considered holy like his late mothers crosses ( he’s an atheist and I’m still figuring out what I am, he kept them as a reminder of his mom, but we don’t use crosses for anything they are just momentos) and so I was able to rescue it before his dad toss out much of my stuff (I had to dig through a bag that had both my medications and cat poop for other things), and it has been safely on one of my bookshelves at my parents house which is where I’m staying. I had been wondering for a while what this was and what does it say. If it turns out to be a very sacred things and keeping it on one of my bookshelves is not ok, let me know what I should do instead as I do want to be respectful with very sacred and important things in other people’s cultures and religions, as I’m pretty ignorant and am still trying to figure out what I am.

Hi everyone,

Something has really been bothering me about the word diaspora. Typically, it's used to refer to Jews living outside of Israel but now (Miriam Webster labels it "less commonly") it refers to people who settled far away from their ancestral homeland.
I don't know if its only me, but I've been seeing an increasing number of people saying diaspora about a community that is non Jewish. It seems like another appropriation?? I don't know, why can't we just have words that just refer to Jewish experiences. Maybe I'm overthinking this or maybe it's in my head. I'd love to know everyone's thoughts.

I told AI to make a country song about Hanukkah and it’s actually kind of fire(pun intended).

https://suno.com/song/e9a43679-b607-42d4-9f63-d13e5a8c1e24

I am not Jewish. But I am highly interested in learning Tanakh, and have been looking for somewhere to listen to classes, lectures, or even video clips of someone teaching through it. I've been poking around, and have found a few things, but I'd really like to ask for any suggestions.

Thank you 🙏🏾

(I downloaded the Sefaria app and the JVL app, bought the Jewish Study Bible, and stumbled upon Rod Reuven Bryant of NETIV. There's also an app called Chabad, but I don't know much about it yet)

Good tidings, but is it taboo to drink out of the Kiddish cup? I've never seen it, but I was truthfully wondering

Edit: Since I can remember, the blessing was recited and then the wine was distributed amongst the family in fancy wine glasses. This is just what I saw, and how I knew it

My wife has a person at work who has tried to destroy her career for antisemitic reasons. I don't want to get into any details, but it's been ugly and has taken a very serious toll on her mental health.

Because they work different days, they have not seen each other in the flesh for months. Tomorrow, my wife will have no choice but to see this woman, and it's stressing her out. She doesn't know how to act or what to say.

What does Judaism teach about these kinds of situations? Must she make peace, or smile, or even say hello? Is lying by asking how she is (my wife doesn't care how she is) worse than the hostility implied by the silent treatment? What do the sages advise??

This is a little tongue in cheek but also I think some advice would help put her mind at ease.

Hello Jewish community of Reddit! I teach 7th graders at my local temple, and this semester I have created an art elective for them. Each week I highlight a new Jewish value that they have likely not yet learned of, and we explore how we relate to it through art. I am curious what lesser-discussed Jewish values you all find interesting or connect with.

Ones we've done so far are:

Bal Tashchit - Do Not Destroy;

Imagination - and the connection between visualization and prayer;

Gratitude - Modeh Ani;

Freedom;

Avoiding Baseless Hatred - Second Temple;

The significance of names in Judaism

Do you know that delicious brown (overnight) potato Kugel served at kiddushim? I've tried following countless overnight kugel recipes but I can't replicate that unique overnight taste or dark colour. It ends up looking like in the picture. Anyone have any tips?

Hi,

Yesterday I read this blog on ToI and it kinda stuck in my mind - https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/judaism-without-god/

It also contains this controversial point:

Rabbi Greenberg comes to the conclusion that Jews are no longer obligated to observe the commandments. He believes that G-d has broken His covenant with the Jews due to the Holocaust. Since G-d failed to live up to His side of the covenant by protecting the Jews, the Jews are no longer obligated to keep their side of the Covenant either.

I found some discussions on this sub debating why this event happened and I am sure it has been discussed, but this is the first time I come across an opinion that G-d has broken His side of the Covenant.

What are your thoughts on this (or other topics from the article)? Do you think that without G-d, the Jewish identity will fall apart?

My wife and I are considering moving from SFL to ATL within the next year and are heavily considering Dunwoody. For context we are probably somewhere in the conservadox box. My question is, does anyone know where in Dunwoody young couples tend to live/where would be a good place to start? Our thought is to rent for the first year or two until we know exactly where we want to settle. My struggle is I cannot seam to find where the young Jewish professionals are. I know in Sandy Springs many seem to live in an apartment complex until they eventually branch out into the surrounding homes but I am struggling to find something similar in Dunwoody. I know broadly many live around the JCC but I cannot find any apartment complexes in the area. Would love any insight people might have! Thank you :)

Hey guys , I want to go study veterinary medicine outside of Israel but honestly I have no idea of where I should go specially because I’m Jewish and I’m kinda scared of being isolated as a Jew and a woman so you know, I really want to study in Europe but because of the antisemitism raise i don’t know if i should cuz I really don’t wanna suffer in college because I’m Jewish or something, I wanna be around other Jews or at least have some sort of community that doesn’t make me feel so dislocated. If you have experience or tips anything to help me out here I will appreciate that Thanks in advance for your time 🙏

I'll know what "beautiful and special" means when I'll see it, but I do look for something with a matt cotton look (rather than the silky shiny verity).

Is there an online store with some verity to choose from?

Just saw a video where Chabad rabbis in more remote locations talk about what makes their small communities unique. I imagined that they received money from headquarters to fund these outreaches, but it appears that for the most part they have to raise the money themselves. In places like Nepal, Zambia and where there are less than 100 Jews, how do they manage to stay open?

This is more of a Jewish history question but I’m interested in y’alls opinion. Some background: I took a Jewish history course where the instructor explained the Haskalah movement and how the Reform movement emerged as a result of it. He mentioned that one of the changes the Reform movement made to traditional Judaism was editing the siddur to remove references to Jerusalem, Zion, and the return to Zion in the Messianic age. Reform Jews began taking pride in their German identity viewing Berlin as their home rather than Jerusalem. My question is , this stance seems to starkly contrast the views of modern reform Jews. I’ve seen many reform Jews proudly supporting Israel . Making misheberachs for Israel, donating money and volunteering etc.. what caused this shift in belief going from actively distancing itself from Israel to proudly supporting it?

I am meeting with members of a synagogue for an interview and am worried about what to wear. I am of a different religion doing a paper on religion in medicine for my university and don’t want to be disrespectful. My assumption was to wear modest clothing, longer sleeves to cover my tattoo and nothing in an inappropriate pattern or too tight fitting. But would my nostril piercing be inappropriate or should I take it out for the meeting? I am genuinely trying to approach this with kindness and sincerity so any advice on what to avoid asking is also appreciated

I could use some Jewish advice here.

About a decade ago my stepdad died suddenly and unexpectedly. He was his mom's favorite (Let's call her Granny) and she took it badly, and began showing signs of mental decline not long afterwards. My stepdad had been helping her manage her affairs, so my step-aunt (let's call her Laurie) stepped into that role.

When Granny died we learned that she had changed her will from being split equally between her 3 children and their heirs to being divided between her 2 living children and their heirs. My branch of the family was cut out, including my mom and my stepdad's 3 bio children. I was 2 when he married my mother, btw.

I knew it was Laurie that was behind it, so I wanted nothing to do with her. My mom kept trying to deny it, I think because that level of betrayal was too painful to acknowledge, but eventually they talked about it and confirmed my suspicions. My mom said, "Laurie could not have hurt me more if she tried."

I was heartbroken by this, as this person I though was family had declared "nope, not real family." So I wrote her off and moved on.

Then my mom fell ill, likely to die, and I rushed out to see her. She died just before I got on the plane. My well-meaning BIL was already there and sent the word out, included Laurie, and she said she was coming. I had 0 contact from Laurie since my stepdad's funeral, and I wasn't willing to have her present after what she did, so I put the word out that she wasn't welcome.

Then I found out that she had included my siblings in her will. Basically using the inheritance she had stolen to elevate her position in that side of the family, of which I was no longer a part. Whatever. I'm not beholden to her and I refuse to be. But in the fallout of me calling out what she had done, my brother confronted her about it. She responded by removing him from her will two days after our mother had died. TWO DAYS after he lost his MOTHER she pulls this.

As far as I'm concerned, she's dead to me. She's a disgusting person and I want nothing to do with her, or to waste any of my time and energy on her. So why is this an issue now? Another aunt (mom's sister), whom I love dearly, is hosting a family get-together for her 80th birthday. Originally (she's been planning this for at least 2 years) there was no mention of inviting Laurie, but she called yesterday to discuss it. Laurie wants to come but doesn't want to come if I'm going to be "antagonistic," so my aunt asked if I can be civil with her there. I said that it was her party and if she wants to invite Laurie I'll be civil. I just wasn't willing to have her at my mom's funeral after what she had done to my family.

But this is really eating at me. I haven't really thought about Laurie since my mom passed, but now that it's come back up I'm getting really angry at her again. She has hurt me, my mother, my siblings, and my children. She has made 0 effort to make teshuva. I want nothing to do with her, and it will be hard to ignore her presence.

I feel I owe it to my aunt to not make a scene. Any advice? What are my obligations here?

I’ve also noticed how few Jewish people are named John, James, Paul, Phillip in contrast

Saw a synagogue with that description but I couldn’t see the name of it so I can’t Google it. Was driving by in park slope. I’d love to explore a conservative synagogue in the park slope/Prospect height/crown Heights area… I grew up orthodox, but I’m far from that and currently at forum synagogue CBE which I love for the community for my little kids, but I’m curious to explore conservative as it seems conservative. Judaism is few and far between but I’d imagine if any place has it it’s Nyc.

Edit: wow thank you everyone for the comments! Very helpful and insightful. Hoping as my kids get older to find something that feels like home (now ages 3 & 1). Also If anyone knows of any conservative schools in NYC ideally Brooklyn I’d love that for my kids in elementary/ high school. I visited Luria and they proclaim there are a lot of different backgrounds but it felt quit modern orthodox to me. I could be wrong!