A Fragile Peace Shalom, This Shabbat we will read from the Torah portion ‘Pinchas’. Parts of this Torah portion are frequently read on Rosh Chodesh – ראש חודש (New Moon) and various holidays, because it concludes with a detailed list of the daily …
CURSE BECOMING A BLESSING Shalom, This Shabbat we will read from the Torah portion ‘Balak’. This portion tells us about Balak, the king of Moab, who invites Balaam the prophet to curse the people of Israel. Balaam asks G-d whether he should go. Initially …
The Origins of the Name Yerushalayim Shalom from Ulpan-Or, Next week Wednesday, May 24th we will celebrate “Yom Yerushalayim” – The Jerusalem Day. Yom Yerushalayim, commemorates Jerusalem’s reunification in 1967. This day begins on 28th day of the month of Iyyar in the Hebrew calendar. This year …
NATURAL ANGER vs. HOT TEMPER Shalom, This Shabbat we will read the Torah portion ‘Hukat’. Our portion tells us that after forty years of journeying through the desert, the people of Israel arrive in the wilderness of Zin. Miriam dies, and the people thirst for water. Question: …
SEEING IN THE DARK Shalom, The Hebrew month of Tammuz started at the beginning of this week – Sunday, June 25th. Tammuz is the fourth month in the Hebrew calendar, which starts with the month of Nissan. On the 17th …
by Tova Horwitz Between February and March, there is an explosion of miraculous color all over Israel, from north צָפוֹן to south דָרוֹם. Spring אביב has arrived, and with it the wildflowers פרחי בר including the כלנית anemone, iris איריס, …
By Tova Horwitz Are you visiting Israel or maybe you are an oleh (new immigrant)? If so, then you are most likely very familiar with the experience of speaking Hebrew with an obvious foreign accent מִבטָא. It’s like a neon …
By Tova Horwitz The holiday of Purim פורים is just around the corner and the festive spirit can already be felt on the streets of Israel. The joyous day celebrates Esther, Mordechai and the Jews’ victory over the evil Haman, …
By Tova Horwitz Jews around the world are celebrating Tu B’Shvat (ט”ו בִּשְׁבָט), the New Year of the Trees and Fruits, which takes place on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shvat. This special holiday is first mentioned …
by Tova Horwitz While Hebrew is indeed the language of the Bible, modern Hebrew is a fast paced, ever-changing language full of vibrant expressions, idioms and fun slang. Some of modern Hebrew’s linguistic jewels – those phrases that make just …
Most of us go through life trying to make some kind of an impact on the world either by leaving an impression on a person or just being interesting to someone else. We’d like to be witty, clever, quick and …
Memory is such a crucial part of everyone’s life, yet I for one always manage to forget. Throughout the years I’ve learnt to trick myself into remembering things using different methods. I remember things through songs or short poems I …