Snunit is an excellent resource for online learning and learning resources in English, French and Hebrew. They have been putting educational materials on the internet since 1994.

Here is what their website says about their vision:

OUR VISION: Revolutionizing the Learning Experience

The Internet is a vast, equal opportunity, learning and teaching resource.
With insight, creativity, and sensitivity to the needs of different populations
and age groups, we can create new educational paradigms that transform the
way students learn and instructors teach.

Snunit’s Hebrew home page, Snunit’s English home page, Snunit’s French home page.

Check it out and enjoy!

Did you need proof that bar and bat mitzvah parties are getting out of hand? That they often are focusing on throwing a huge, expensive party to out-do the “Shapiros” and have NOTHING to do with the real significance of becoming bar or bat mitzvah? Well, take a look at this Wall Street Journal article You Don’t Have to Be Jewish to want a Bar Mitzvah Party which tells the story of non-Jews throwing bar and bat mitzvah parties. This is disgusting! If people need to have a huge, outlandish party for their child’s 13’th birthday, then call it what it is, a birthday party.

Becoming bar and bat mitzvah is about is about proclaiming to one’s community, family, friends and God the importance of Judaism in their life and their commitment to make Judaism a part of their lives. The day when one becomes a bar or bat mitzvah marks the first day of one’s adult Jewish life. Is the young person an adult on that day? No, of course not, but he or she accepts the growing responsibilities of a Jewish adult. This IS NOT about a party. The party is a way to celebrate the above, not vice versa.

What do you think?

Rabbis for Human Rights is a courageous organization with members from a wide swath across the religious specturm (Reform to Orthodox and all between) who support the rights of every human being.

Check them out at Rabbis for Human Rights and Rabbis for Human Rights North America.

We are all created in the image of the Divine.

I’ve added some new links to the right:

2HaTs – an Israeli ex-pat who now lives in Canada, Jew View, Women in Black & Women of the Wall.

Some blogs on Jewish arts & culture:
Jewish Music Web Center and Klezmer Shack.

In addition, I learned of a new project to support Israel and assist victims of terrorist attacks and their families, Voices for Israel. Thanks to Jew View for the info!

Oops. I didn’t thoroughly check out the Index of Jewish Books I posted about last time. They not only post some good Judaica – but they post some of the problematic (to use a gentle word) stuff published by the so-called “Jews for Jesus” who of course are NOT Jewish, but Christian. So, I am removing the link to them from my site.

Thanks to Am ha-Aretz for letting me know. I really appreicate it.

I hope to do better with updating my blog in the days to come, so please keep coming back.

One of the goals of this blog is to ease access to Judaica. Today, through a posting on The AximSite I came across an index of Judaica Books available online. Take a look at this great resource for links to everything from biblical, talmudic, midrahsic texts through biographies, timelines of individual communities and more. Please note, the link I am giving you is the first page of 5 in the index. Go, search, enjoy and read!!!

Shabbat Shalom

Hanukkah information (on many different levels) at My Jewish Learning

Hanukkah Celebrations for the Home or for the community:
Jewish Family & Life
Social Action
Rabbi S. on Hanukkah

May the lights of the Hanukkiyah (Hanukkah menorah) fill your life and the life of those you love with light, joy, hope and courage. May the candles turn darkness into light and inspire you to continue the work of ending hatred, abuse, prejudice and war.

May the lights of Hanukkah brighten your world physically and spiritually.
May they inspire you to stamp out the darkness of opression, hatred, abuse,
war and discrimination.

We may be seeing the beginnings of a change of opinion within the Palestinian communty regrading “Suicide” bombings, Arafat and Peace with Israel. Go to this site for more info.

In Confirmation class this week we are discussing Judaism’s view on life after death. This is a common question, so I am putting some links here. I hope they are helpful to you.

Rabbi Amy Scheinerman’s discussion of the Afterlife
Rabbi Howard Jaffe on the Afterlife – Click on Judaism
Rabbi Marc Gellman’s article on the Afterlife in Reform Judaism Magazine
Conservative Movement Sermon on the Afterlife
Judaism 101: Olam ha-Ba: The Afterlife
Jewish Virtual Library on the Afterlife

My Jewish Learning.com articles on the Afterlife:
Level 1 – Primer: Afterlife & Eschatology
Level 2 – Topical Overviews
Level 3 – Deeper Explorations
Level 4 – Afterlife & Eschatology IV: Analysis & Interpretation

May Torah study continue to enrich your life.