Category Life

Georgia’s Jewish history, sites

photo - Queen Tamar’s Hall at Uplistsikhe

Queen Tamar’s Hall at Uplistsikhe. (photo by Deborah Rubin Fields) I would venture to say not many people know about the ancient Jewish community of Georgia. Yet, Jews have lived there since at least the fourth century CE and, according…

Relish the New Year’s apples

photo - apple

(photo by Jonathunde) Although summer is still in full swing, apples come into the markets here in Israel before Rosh Hashanah. I love apples; they are probably my most favourite fruit, especially in fall and winter. Here are some apple…

The mitzvah of challah

photo - On Rosh Hashanah, the challah is round and sweet, symbolizing our collective wish for a good, sweet year

On Rosh Hashanah, the challah is round and sweet, symbolizing our collective wish for a good, sweet year. (photo by Przemyslaw Wierzbowski) It was two years ago that I fell in love with challah. I attended a challah baking workshop…

A High Holidays stew

photo - A sudden powerful gust of wind whipping through an open window slammed the door shut

A sudden powerful gust of wind whipping through an open window slammed the door shut…. (photo from wikiHow) It was one of those hot and humid fall days in Montreal and my sister-in-law “Sadie” decided to make a stew. After…

Every year, a new beginning

photo - Barring disaster, this season’s apple harvest would be bountiful

Barring disaster, this season’s apple harvest would be bountiful. (photo from maxpixel.net) “I don’t want to do my job any more.” That loud thought just popped into Rabbi Yohon Abrahms’ head. It was dawn, and the birds were singing. He…

To embrace teshuvah

photo - “King David Playing the Harp,” by Gerard van Honthorst, 1622. All of the biblical heroes are imperfect, as are we

“King David Playing the Harp,” by Gerard van Honthorst, 1622. All of the biblical heroes are imperfect, as are we. (photo from artsandculture.google.com) One of the beautiful ideas behind Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is the notion that we need…

Mystery photo … Aug. 31/18

photo - B’nai B’rith, circa 1970

B’nai B’rith, circa 1970. (photo from JWB fonds, JMABC L.09504) If you know someone in this photo, please help the JI fill the gaps of its predecessor’s (the Jewish Western Bulletin’s) collection at the Jewish Museum and Archives of B.C.…

Forgiving but not forgetting

photos - Robbie Waisman, left, and Chief Robert Joseph, will speak at Temple Sholom’s Selichot program Sept. 1

Robbie Waisman, left, and Chief Robert Joseph, will speak at Temple Sholom’s Selichot program Sept. 1. (photos from Temple Sholom) Two men who have built bridges between Canada’s indigenous and Jewish communities will speak about reconciliation, forgiveness and resilience at…

Mystery photo … July 20/18

photo - Camp Miriam, 1979

Camp Miriam, 1979. (photo from JWB fonds, JMABC L.09623) If you know someone in this photo, please help the JI fill the gaps of its predecessor’s (the Jewish Western Bulletin’s) collection at the Jewish Museum and Archives of B.C. by…