Jewish Culture

Since the 1880s, Jewish immigrants from around the world have come to settle in Israel. If you're looking for a long-lost Jewish relative, searching Israeli records is a good place to start....

Ancient Jewish music comes from synagogal music used in the Temple in Jerusalem. According to many religious sources, hymnal and psalmic music was used throughout religious Jewish history.

Jewish festivals cycle over the course of a year. Many Jewish holy days and festivals, such as Purim, Passover and Chanukah, incorporate food as central to the celebration. Jewish festivals and...

Elie Wiesel is one of the most recognizable and influential survivors of the Holocaust. His experiences fueled his lifelong career as a literary figure, teacher and defender of human rights. He is...

Herod I, also known as Herod the Great, was the king of Judea from about 37 to 4 B.C. He is known for being a friend to the Romans.

In ancient times, an armor-bearer was a soldier's right hand man. In a time when soldiering meant hand-to-hand combat and heavy equipment, skilled armor-bearers were in high demand.

Shofars, also spelled shophars, are musical instruments created and developed by ancient Hebrews. The shofar is made of a ram or antelope horn. It has a flattened mouthpiece from which the user...

A Bar Mitzvah is an exciting event in a Jewish boy’s life, and it only makes sense to make it a memorable one. The guest list, food and drinks, entertainment – these are all important things to...

Kibbutzim, collective Jewish communes in Israel and Palestine, played an integral part in Jewish settlement within Palestine and the inception of the state of Israel. The nature, function and...

Israeli circle dances are also called Davidic dances in honor of the most notable dancing king, David. These dances are a combination of Israeli folk and choreographed dance movements. The steps...

Ancient Jewish birthing methods were largely governed by Jewish religious laws. These laws circumscribed Jewish life since biblical times and have remained fairly constant for several thousand...

Jewish people celebrate Purim by giving food baskets. This custom is called mishloach manot, which is Hebrew for "sending portions". Follow simple guidelines by filling Purim baskets with at least...

Hebrew, a Semitic language, is one of the oldest languages in the world. Learning Hebrew can be fun, interesting, and challenging. Hebrew is known as the language of the Bible, and is the native...

Keeping kosher can be a challenge when you're not used to it, but a little advanced planning makes it much easier. Once you're familiar with all the kosher foods and preparation methods available,...

So, you're the parent of a twelve or thirteen year old Jewish boy or girl, and it's your responsibility to plan a Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah party. You've got quite a challenge on your hands! With...

Observant Jews follow the Jewish Dietary Laws, or kashrut, which determines which foods are permissible to eat or kosher. The dietary laws fall into several categories, which animals are...

The term "kosher" describes foods that fall under the Jewish dietary law, or kashrut. The law prohibits the eating of certain types of food and dictates the methods of slaughtering, cooking and...

To kick off the festivities, the host family is introduced with great fanfare by the DJ or master of ceremonies. Parents are first, followed by siblings and finally the Bar or Bat Mitzvah boy or girl.

Kugel is a traditional ethnic food that has been a fixture on the Jewish table for 800 years, according to JewishRecipes.org. The name is pronounced koo-gel or ki-gel, depending on the region of...

A bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah marks the entry of a 13-year-old boy or girl into the adult Jewish community. The first act as an adult is to read that week's portion of the Torah in Hebrew during a...

Hebrew or Ivrit ( ע'רת) is a Semitic language of the Afro-Asiatic language family. Semitic is a designation that refers to descendants of Shem, the son of Noah. When Theodore...

The best way to improve your chances at successful immigration (aliyah) to Israel is by learning to speak Hebrew. While many new Israeli citizens learn Hebrew through government sponsored...

Indiana Jones made the Ark of the Covenant famous, but the artifact held a special place in Jewish folklore for many thousands of years before that. It is particularly noteworthy because Judaism...

The Jewish yarmulke or kippah is worn by Jewish men and boys to show respect for God and, according to the Jewish Literacy website, to show Jewish pride. There are many ways to make a yarmulke,...

Kosher meat laws include requirements regarding which types of fowl and land animals can be eaten and how they must be slaughtered. Restrictions cover separation of meat and dairy, and the...

For the traditional Passover Seder plate you need a ‘bitter herb’. This bitter herb is to remind you of the hard times the Jewish people had under Pharoah. Some people buy horseradish, but you...

"Kippah" is another word for "yarmulke," the skullcap worn by Jewish men in reverence for God during prayer, meals and while studying the Torah. It is now acceptable for men to wear their kippot...

Judaism and depression asks a dual question about religion and medicine. Depression can weaken the link between man and God, disturbing his ability to feel his faith. Judaism is not only about the...

Hanukkah for many includes unhealthy Latkes deep fried in oil. If you do not want to give up your Latkes switch up your recipe and give it a healthy twist. Below you will find some healthy ideas...

Judaism is a religion that is celebrated by Jewish people all over the world. There are also certain cultural similarities among these different people, although they are from a variety of...

Judaism is one of the oldest existing religions. It predates Christianity, Islam, Sikhism and many other faiths. As is to be expected with such an ancient religion, there are a great many customs...

The Israeli flag is a symbol of national pride for Jews. It represents a safe haven in a world where they often find themselves being persecuted.

Holocaust survivors included Jews of all ages, unfortunate enough to live in Europe in the 1940s, when Adolf Hitler and the Nazis decided to commit genocide on all Jews. Though many Jews were...

During World War II, Jews were branded with the yellow Star of David as a symbol of hatred and scorn. But today, because of what the Jewish people suffered during the Holocaust, the star has...

Marrying someone from a foreign country is complicated by a variety of factors not faced by those marrying another U.S. citizen. While each relationship is different, these factors can include...

Tracing your Jewish family tree back to its roots may seem like a bigger job than you can handle, particularly when it comes to researching ancestors overseas, or more than a couple of generations...

Rosh Hashana, a holiday celebrating the Jewish New Year, is one of the first holidays Jewish children learn about. This bingo game for preschoolers is intended for the days just before the...

Add a new tradition to your Chanukah celebration this year by presenting the family with a handmade Chanukah board game. In playing the game, family members will encounter both traditional...

Visiting Israel is the ultimate dream of a lifetime for many people of faith. Three of the world's major religions--Judaism, Christianity and Islam--all have ties and history connected to this...

A Judaica gift can be wonderful choice for a wedding, Bar or Bat Mitzvah, or other Jewish life-cycle event, as well as for any other secular occasions. The following are some tips for buying a...

Judaism is not just a religion, it's a culture. There are many Jewish traditions to be observed throughout the year. Many of these traditions take place in the home, which you can set up to fully...

These pocket filled pastries are a traditional Jewish holiday treat for Hannukah or the Sabbath. Sesame-seed crusted pastries stuffed with a beef or cheese mixture make great for appetizers for...

In this era of MTV's hit show "My Super Sweet 16," many parents are tempted to throw parties for their kids' birthdays that rival Broadway revues in terms of extravagance. A Bat or Bar Mitzvah is...

Like all of the world's major religions, Judaism comes under fire from time to time from representatives of other religions, non-practicing people and even Jews themselves. However, a careful and...

Bread is a symbolic food for people of the Jewish faith. There is a ritual called Netilat Yadayim which Jews perform to purify the hands and prepare for the blessing of the bread. Follow these...

As you mature, you may develop a greater respect for religious laws. For example, if you are Jewish, you might wish to find ways to make your home more kosher. The Torah prescribes a holy diet...

Some people prefer to give their children generic names that allow them to fit in wherever they go and give them the opportunity to develop their own identity. Many others, on the other hand,...

The Holocaust must never be forgotten. Often an overlooked component of World War II history classes, the Holocaust remains one of the greatest tragedies of human existence. To study it is to...

Serve challah bread at the beginning of the Shabbat meal on Friday and on Jewish holidays. A staple in Jewish homes, challah deserves a place on everyone's table. Finish your meal with a dessert...

Flour is the magic ingredient to any bread recipe. It creates gluten and allows the bread to stretch and rise. Mixing flour correctly is necessary to create a light, tasty loaf of challah bread....