Tu B'Shevat Resources
This annotated list includes many web links and one book about Tu B'Shevat for children and adults. It offers background information, history, stories, activities, seder readings and more.
Type: Bibliography
Jewish Practice
Four Lessons We Learn from Purim
The four lessons discussed are: life is random, have fun, solidarity, the world looks different when it is upside down.
Type: Dvar Torah
The Omer Song
Fast, fun, song about counting the omer. Lyrics and mp3 included.
Type: Music
A Hanukkah Story for the Children of Dor Hadash
A story about a family's struggle to redefine their relationship with Hanukkah and rededicate their intentions to the meaning of the holiday. Inspired by Kerry Olitsky's book, Eight Nights, Eight Lights.
Type: Essay
What is Purim? Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Questions and answers about Purim, from "What is Purim?" to "Why do some people get drunk on Purim? Isn't that inappropriate?" and more!
Type: FAQ
The Four Children Count the Omer
This program, designed for middle school through adult learners, explores four different perspectives on counting the Omer. It is based on the four children of the Passover seder and includes discussion questions at the end.
Type: Class Activity
Comparing Conservative and Reconstructionist Approaches in Dealing with Leviticus' Prohibition on Male-Male Sex
In this dvar-Torah Syd Nestel makes in depth comparison of Reconstructionist and Conservative approaches to the prohibitions against homosexuality written in Leviticus 18 and 20.
Topics: Jewish Life, Divrei Torah, Jewish Practice, Jewish Thought, Tikkun Olam, Jewish Community, Reconstructionist Judaism
Type: Dvar Torah
We Need Movements
Rabbi Toba Spitzer was inaugurated as the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association President at their Convention on March 13, 2007. This is her acceptance which focuses on the need for movements within Judaism. Audio and written forms of the speech are both provided.
Type: Speech
One for Each Night: A Hanukkah Study Guide for a Brighter Future
This award winning Hanukkah home guide includes a nightly ritual of replacing a light bulb in your house with an energy efficient CFL bulb, short teachings about the importance of saving energy, a light bulb joke and a blessing. A great way of giving focus to Hanukkah at home.
Type: Ritual
Family at the Root of Passover Commandments
How can we explain why some people observe Passover so strictly even when they don't observe much else? Aaron Seidman argues that it is the home-based family nature of the holiday that creates the commandment that people are more willing to follow.
Type: Dvar Torah