A Persian Purim

A Persian Purim

The story of Purim dates back to the 4th century BCE during the Babylonian exile of the Jews from Israel. Most people are familiar with the dramatic tale of Queen Esther and how she and her Uncle Mordechai rescued the Jews from imminent destruction under King...
Hanukkah in Israel

Hanukkah in Israel

Growing up in an Ashkenazi Orthodox Jewish family in suburban Maryland, and then moving to Southern California, I thought I was the expert on Hanukkah. Then we made Aliyah to Israel nine years ago, and I was totally proven wrong. The eight-day “Feast of the...