Category Life

Hadrian’s Arch – built to last

photo - Damascus Gate today and, below it, the Aelia Capitolina arch leading to the Roman Plaza

Damascus Gate today and, below it, the Aelia Capitolina arch leading to the Roman Plaza. (photo by Deborah Rubin Fields) Revenge is sweet. Apparently, while the Roman Emperor Hadrian did not spike enemy heads on palisades, after three years of…

Jewish Stockholm visit

photo - Stockholm’s neighbourhoods are pristinely preserved. This photo was taken last summer

Stockholm’s neighbourhoods are pristinely preserved. This photo was taken last summer. (photo by Ella Kaplun) Summer days in Stockholm seem never ending. The sun refuses to set until around 10 p.m., leaving a romantic glow upon the city for the…

Balabusta does nothing

photo - Lying in bed

(photo from pexels.com) Lest you think this Accidental Balabusta has been slacking off, let me set the record straight. I’ve been sick since the middle of November and haven’t had the koach to do anything, including writing or cooking. No…

Why groggers on Purim?

image - grogger

(photo from ajudaica.com) One of the most popular customs for Purim is to drown out the name of the villain, Haman, with a noisemaker. In Hebrew, it is called a ra’ashan; in Yiddish, it is a grogger, which comes from…

Mystery photo … Feb. 28/20

photo - Two unidentified people on the left with Gail and Michael James on the right holding a certificate at a Jewish National Fund event

Two unidentified people on the left with Gail and Michael James on the right holding a certificate at a Jewish National Fund event. (photo from JWB fonds, JMABC L.12042) If you know someone in these photos, please help the JI…

Ketubot have a long history

photo - An illustrated ketubah from Mala, India, 1938

An illustrated ketubah from Mala, India, 1938. (image from Deborah Rubin Fields) Mazal tov! So, you or someone you know is getting married. Today, Jewish weddings may be big or small, formal or informal, traditional or not. No matter the…

Mystery photo … Jan. 31/20

photo - Congregation Or Shalom members and others at the 19th annual Pride Parade, 1996

Congregation Or Shalom members and others at the 19th annual Pride Parade, 1996. (photo from JWB fonds, JMABC L.01103) If you know someone in these photos, please help the JI fill the gaps of its predecessor’s (the Jewish Western Bulletin’s)…