Jewish Rituals and Symbols

When a Song Transmits a Priority

D'Var Torah By: Cantor Jill Abramson

April 5, 2022

On Yom Rishon shel Pesach (first day of Passover), we read "And you shall explain to your child on that day, 'It is because of what Adonai did for me when I went free from Egypt.'" (Ex 13:8). How can we best explain to our children this enduring lesson of Passover?

Passover

From the Four Questions to Elijah's Cup, Here Are Five Passover Traditions, Explained

Blythe Copeland

March 31, 2022

Rabbi Leora Kaye, director of partnerships and collaboration for the Union for Reform Judaism, details the background, symbolism, and importance of the key Seder elements, from the four cups of wine to the welcoming of Elijah.

tteokguk Korean soup with beef and sliced rice cakes

Spirituality

Honoring Korean Lunar New Year (Seollal)

Shayna Han

January 28, 2022

Last year, I spent Seollal, or Korean New Year, with my family in Busan. The symbolism, the spirituality, and the elaborate order of charye remind me of Jewish holidays and rituals.

Elements of a Tu BiShvat seder on a marble countertop including wine grapes nuts and pomegranates

Social Justice

How to Make Your First Tu BiShvat Seder Meaningful and Fun

Lauren Theodore

January 3, 2022

As I thought about what would be involved if we did our own Tu BiShvat seder, it seemed interesting and fun. Tasting lots of fruits? Marking a time to appreciate, mindfully and respectfully, trees and the earth? Drinking wines and grape juices? Yes, please.

Yellow alarm clock fading away at the edges as if to represent the passage of time

Jewish Rituals and Symbols

The Omer: Finding Hope and Wisdom in the Counting of Time

Rabbi Allison Berry

April 1, 2021

Counting is never more important than between Passover and Shavuot; we call this ritual counting the Omer. Each day we recite a blessing marking that this period of time is meant to be one time of reflection, revelation, and change.