What happens to Chanukah in an atmosphere where Christmas can be so all consuming? What do we do with these December dilemmas? Read Dr. Elliot Malamet’s latest blog to find out!
We are Not Diminished by the Other
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Month: November 2021
The Many Faces Of Chanukah
In this week’s episode of Living Jewishly, Dr. Elliot Malamet, Rabbi Yossi Sapirman, and Rabbi Bluth shed light on the multitude of themes that make Chanukah such a rich, beautiful period of celebration and thanksgiving.
EPISODE 56 Between Sinai and a Hard Place: Teaching Under the Shadow of Doubt
In this episode, Dr. Elliot Malamet speaks with Sara Susswein Tesler, who teaches the Five Books of Moses at an Orthodox girls seminary — while being an enthusiastic student of biblical criticism.
EPISODE 55 Sacred Time Kislev
This week’s episode of Living Jewishly is an instalment of Sacred Time, and explores the month of Kislev, a time of slumber and dreams. In a time of darkness, sleep, and retreat, what can we learn from our dreams? And how can we integrate these teachings into our waking lives?
Chanuka and the Spinning of Fate
The dilemma of Chanuka is how to stand out proudly as a Jew in a world where, at times that might be a precarious undertaking. Our Judaism does not require a neon sign, but it also not something to obscure or keep sequestered indoors. May the light of Chnauka shine in our hearts, and then radiate outwards into the rest of our lives and our world.
Episode 54: What Would You Do?
Dr. Elliot Malamet and guests Rachel Greenblatt and Jeffrey Goldwasser investigate the ethics of our approach to winter holidays, how we can hold onto our religious identities while integrating new traditions, and where to find balance in the rise of holiday consumerism.
Rosh Chodesh Yoga: Kislev
Welcome the new month of Kislev, our winter month, with Jenna Zadaka for our new moon yoga session. Join us in waring up your body, and lighting your inner fire as we set our intentions during this daark time of the year.
Giving Away our Power
One of the distinguishing features of the Hebrew Bible is that the flaws of its protagonists are exposed, on full display. Unlike attempts at stylized heroic literature such as The Iliad, Biblical characters not only make mistakes but act out imprudently and even childishly, just like well…we would, faced with similar situations, especially when they lay blame at the feet of others.
In Those Days But For Our Times
This essay was inspired by the B- Mitzvah students of the Year of Living Jewishly When I teach young people the story of Chanukah, I am often met with expressions of disbelief regarding the miracles popularly ascribed to this holiday. After brief...