Category Archives: Judaism

Celebrating the holidays in traditional fashion

Posted on December 25, 2014 by jyourist

Gut Yontif!

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First Night of Chanukah

Posted on December 16, 2014 by jyourist

After devouring sweet potato latkes and baked apples, IB takes a photo of first night candles in a menorah carefully crafted by JB from a branch of a tree. (Note the layers of wax from many previous Chanukahs spilled and dripped on … Continue reading →

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Unveilings

Posted on June 1, 2014 by jyourist

My stepfather died nearly a year ago and today was his unveiling. This is an old tradition that signifies the end of mourning. The headstone is literally “revealed” after its gauze has been dramatically ripped away. Because of the time … Continue reading →

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Fiddler

Posted on April 24, 2014 by jyourist

I was at the dress rehearsal of Fiddler on the Roof at school today, performed by a bunch of very talented middle schoolers and directed by our new theater teacher. The students’ voices in song, their choreography, and acting were … Continue reading →

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Passover 2014: gefilte fish substitute, seder snow, blood moon, karate-kicked matzah piñata, death of the first-born

Posted on April 16, 2014 by jyourist

(Blood Moon photo by JB)

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All crossings are sacred

Posted on January 11, 2014 by jyourist

This is dedicated to my dear friend MH who placed his partner of 38 years into an Altzheimers Care facility today. In Jewish tradition, the entire Bible is divided up into 54 sections, one of which is read every Shabbat … Continue reading →

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Cleaning my plate/ cleaning my soul

Posted on September 5, 2013 by jyourist

It’s the new year. A time to make account of all the deeds and misdeeds of the previous year, embrace failings, and move toward commitment to our better selves for the year to come. After services today we went out … Continue reading →

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Unveilings

Posted on July 29, 2013 by jyourist

In Toledo this last Sunday was my aunt’s unveiling, a Jewish tradition honoring the deceased one year after their death. A piece of cloth covers the headstone and after a short grave site service, the gauze is torn from the … Continue reading →

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In the Table: Passover Edition

Posted on April 9, 2013 by jyourist

I was about to change the “In the Table” display and realized I hadn’t documented it. For Passover this year, the glass topped table was filled with a 1941 Maxwell House Haggadah, a reproduction of the Sarajevo Haggadah (from about 1350), … Continue reading →

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Chag Sameach!

Posted on March 30, 2013 by jyourist

(JB’s photo)

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