I f the thought of spending too much Chanukah gelt on lavish gifts for friends and loved ones seems a little dim this year, adding a little tikkun olam to the presents can give your Festival of Lights a memorable glow. The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism has assembled a Social Justice Chanukah Gift Guide with gift-giving ideas suitable […]
2011-12-02
The word on new Chanukah books for kids
Judah Maccabee, meet the Golem of Prague. And Rebecca Rubin, Engineer Ari, and Nathan and Jacob, two brothers who are part of a modern American Jewish family. They are among the characters who take center stage in this year’s crop of new children’s books for Chanukah. The lively mix includes the recent release of an e-book version of a popular […]
Yeshiva Boys Choir Chanukah CD released
The Yeshiva Boys Choir has released a 2011 Chanukah CD with 11 songs composed, arranged and directed by Eli Gerstner, with the rhythm recorded in Israel, vocals recorded in New York and strings and brass recorded in New Jersey. The choir was conducted by Yossi Newman, with music by The Yosis Orchestra. Gerstner is considered one of Jewish music’s most […]
Gulf Coast’s Chanukah gift shop aids Jewish families in need
Gulf Coast Jewish Family & Community Services will hold its Fifth Annual Chanukah Tzedakah Gift Shop for all members of the Jewish community in need of assistance from Dec. 15-22. The shop provides an array of items for babies to seniors that families can select for their celebration of Chanukah, which begins this year on Dec. 20. In the past, […]
‘Jewish Threads’ spins yarns
The world of Jewish fabric crafts and the inspiration behind them is explored in a new book, brimming with tradition and Yiddishkeit. Called Jewish Threads: A Hands-On Guide to Stitching Spiritual Intention into Jewish Fabric Crafts (Jewish Lights Publishing, 288 pp.), the book presents 30 fabric craft projects, created by artisans from throughout the U.S. and Israel. Compiled and written […]
Chanukah Happenings
UpdatedThe Jewish Enrichment Center – Chabadwill hold its second annual Chanukah Menorah Lighting and community celebrationon Sunday, Dec. 18 from 1-3 p.m. on the steps of Clearwater City Hall, 112 S. Osceola Ave. Mayor Frank Hibbard will join the celebration, which will include live Chanukah music and free latkes. There will also be sufganiyot, gelt and refreshments, a full children’s […]
So. FL Jewish agency employee suspended for stealing IDs
(JTA) – An employee of the Jewish Community Services of South Florida was suspended without pay after being charged with selling the identity information of Holocaust survivors. Crystal Thorne, 23, was suspended pending the outcome of a police investigation, according to a statement by Fred Stock, president and CEO of the Jewish Community Services agency. Thome is accused of selling […]
Religious Directory
PINELLAS COUNTY Reform Temple AHAVAT SHALOM – 1575 Curlew Rd., Palm Harbor, 34683 • Rabbi Gary Klein • Cantor Deborah Jacobson • Services: Friday: 7:30 p.m., call for Saturday service time • Telephone: 785-8811 • Website: www.ahavatshalom. org • Affiliated with Union for Reform Judaism Temple BETH-EL – 400 S. Pasadena Ave., St. Petersburg 33707 • Rabbi Michael Torop • […]
Jewish Celebrity Roundup
Mila Kunis goes to the ball NEW YORK – Mila Kunis became the latest celebrity to make it to the 236th annual Marine Corps Ball this week. Kunis was the distinguished date of Sgt. Scott Moore at the Greenville, N.C., soiree. A few months ago Moore, of the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, posted a short YouTube clip asking Kunis […]
Statue in Philadelphia honors first Jewish commodore
PHILADELPHIA —Uriah P. Levy, the first Jewish commodore of the U.S. Navy, was one for voyages. His first came in 1802, at the age of 10, when he offered his services to the captain of the USS New Jerusalem, stipulating that he be returned to Philadelphia in time for his bar mitzvah at Congregation Mikveh Israel, then less than a […]