Dec 18 2012
By Kveller at 1:01 pm
As Christmas approaches, many Jewish families, especially interfaith families, confront the question: Do you have a tree? Both married to non-Jews, but raising Jewish children, friends Aliza Worthington and Shoshana Martyniak have two very different answers.
Aliza: So, I have a Christmas tree in my house. Here’s why, not that you asked.
I’m married to a man who was raised Catholic. I was raised in a secular Jewish household by Jewish parents who insisted that the most important requirement for marriage was mutual love (lots of it) and mutual respect (lots of that, too). All other considerations were secondary. So, it surprised no one when my sister married a Catholic. When my grandmother learned my sister and her then-husband were going to have a Christmas tree, she said, “But, it won’t be a Jewish household!” Read the rest of this entry →
Feb 8 2012
By Amy Deutsch at 10:34 am
So you’re looking for a way to celebrate Tu Bishvat with your kids? Don’t feel like just drawing a tree on paper and sticking it up on the wall? Well, you’re in luck. We’ve done some research and found some of the best Tu Bishvat crafts out there. Read on…
1. Here at Kveller, we have some fun tree-based crafts. If you haven’t seen this amazing Tree of Life wall hanging that’s made out of recycled toilet paper rolls, check it out above. Read the rest of this entry →
Feb 6 2012
By Joanna Brichetto at 10:47 am
No time to plan a 15-course fruit seder for Tu Bishvat? Try candy.
The holiday of Tu Bishvat, a.k.a. the birthday of the trees, starts at sundown tomorrow. Tu Bishvat is a field day for all environmentally-conscious families: an ideal ground from which to explore, celebrate and protect all things ecological. Kabbalists gave it a 15-course fruit seder of its own back in the 16th century, which is still observed in some fashion today. But if you want to make this tradition more tangible for your kids, we have some candy recommendations for you.
To read the rest of Joanna’s piece, click here.
