Category Archives: Jewish Traditions

Learning about Israel’s Independence Day (Yom Ha’atzmaut)

Learning about Israel’s Independence Day (Yom Ha’atzmaut)

Back on May 14, 1948, Israel’s future Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion made a monumental announcement. Following the signing of a Declaration of Independence in Tel Aviv, Ben-Gurion revealed Israel was officially declaring its independence. Obviously, this was an important day in Israel’s history, and as such, the country celebrates Independence Day, known as Yom Ha’atzmaut,… Continue Reading

Why Do We Celebrate Tu Bi’Shvat?

Why Do We Celebrate Tu Bi’Shvat?

In ancient times, Jewish farmers celebrated the 15th of Shevat as a day of renewal; the Talmud declared the date as the start of collecting fourth-year produce from the farmers’ trees, for a first-fruit offering to the Temple. It was a harvest of God’s offerings, and a sign of the season to come. But the… Continue Reading

Passover, Lent and Judaism

Passover, Lent and Judaism

As many of you may know, we’re right in the middle of Lent, the time in Christianity in which followers of Christ rededicate themselves to their faith God. According to the United Methodist Church, Lent mirrors the 40 days that Jesus spent in the wilderness, resisting Satan’s temptations. To honor those 40 days of sacrifice,… Continue Reading