By Michael Freund, JPost— As Jews around the world gather together to celebrate the onset of Passover, we will all sit down to participate in one of the most intriguing religious rituals ever conceived. Whereas many of the other acts that have come to define Jewishness center around certainty, the Seder is at its core…
What is Passover? The book of Exodus tells us that four hundred years after the time of Joseph, the Hebrew people had multiplied greatly, filling the land of Egypt. The Egyptians resented all the Hebrews. They made them slaves and forced them to do back-breaking work at the hands of brutal masters. Pharaoh even tried…
What is Purim? Purim is the holiday when Jews (and many Christians) remember the story of Esther. Esther was an ordinary Jewish girl who became Queen of the Persian Empire. God placed Esther in the right place at the right time. When the evil Haman issued a plan for all the Jews in the Empire…
What is Yom Ha’atzmaut? Israeli Independence Day (known in Hebrew as Yom Ha’atzmaut) celebrates the creation of the Jewish State. Most countries have a birthday, a day each year that they remember their country’s start. In America, we celebrate our birthday on the 4th of July. This year, Israel’s Independence Day is on May 11th…
What is Hanukkah? Hanukkah is the eight day Jewish holiday known as the “festival of lights” or “feast of dedication.” Each year the holiday falls sometime between late November and the end of December. In 2013, Hanukkah will last from November 27th to December 5th. Hanukkah is the celebration of a miracle that happened over…
The Jerusalem Connection has started a collection of original coloring pages for our For Kids section. Check these out. They are super cute. Shavuot: Moses and the Ten Commandments Hanukkah: Judah the Maccabee Purim: Queen Esther Passover: The parting of the Red Sea
What is Sukkot? Sukkot—also known as the Feast of Tabernacles—is a Jewish festival to remember the forty years the Hebrews wandered in the desert. The years of wandering came after they were freed from slavery in Egypt and before they were allowed to enter the land God promised them. Even though the Hebrews were stuck…
What is Rosh Hashanah? Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year. In the Hebrew calendar, the fall holiday occurs on the first and second days of the month Tishrei. Rosh Hashanah represents the miraculous creation of the first humans, Adam and Eve. When celebrating Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish people gather in synagogues all over the…
The Jerusalem Connection Report has a brand new section just for kids! This site is a great resource on the Biblical feasts and festivals, Israel trivia, and so much more. We are expanding all year long so keep checking back! Hanukkah for Kids (December 20-28, 2011) is our newest addition. This is a great resource…
What is Shavuot? Shavuot—also known as the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost—is a Jewish holiday celebrating the giving of the Ten Commandments and the Torah (the first five books of the Bible). When God delivered the Hebrews out of slavery in Egypt he brought them into the wilderness to camp. During this time God provided for…