February 26, 2021
By RABBI JOSEPH H. PROUSER
The term “triage” derives from Latin and French, meaning “to sort into three categories.” In emergency medicine, those categories may be summarized as: critically urgent; suitable for delay; and futile. Triage assigns medical care to those most in need, while not endangering those whose condition requires less immediate attention. Triage demonstrates clarity of medical priorities
A similar process characterizes “Purim Meshulash” – the “Three Day...
February 26, 2021
By RABBI DAVID WOLPE
Among the Dead Sea Scrolls every book of the Hebrew bible is represented except the book of Esther. Allusions are made to phrases from Esther so the book was known in Qumran, but not considered sacred and therefore not preserved.
Some of the Christian church, particularly in the East, also omitted Esther from the canon of sacred books in the early centuries. Why this uncertain status? We...
February 25, 2021
By SHARON WEISS-GREENBERG
(JTA) — One year ago, we were debating how to navigate Purim carnivals — not if they should or should not take place. We were told that masks would not protect you from COVID-19 and were to be worn to celebrate Purim purely for entertainment.
Last year, my family dressed and attended Megillah readings with fewer than 100 people, which was considered extremely cautious at the time....
February 25, 2021
By SHIRA HANAU
(JTA) — Deb Perelman has a complicated relationship with her hamantaschen.
With some recipes, the edges won’t stay pinched, leaving the cookies flopping open with filling spilling from all sides. The doughs that do stay pinched, like the ones at most bakeries, usually aren’t buttery and flaky. And the fillings are often too bland, not quite meeting the standard Perelman has set for her 15-year-old food blog,...
February 25, 2021
By JOSHUA GOLDSTEIN
Purim is a holiday of Jewish unity. Purim should have been a day of eulogy, tragedy, and another sad story of betrayal and extermination of Jews. But, in truth, it could never have been made possible without the incredible display of both unity and organization.
The Purim story starts with King Ahasuerus’s feast. History verifies that when he displayed his riches and had...
February 19, 2021
(JTA) — A slew of Jewish comedians are teaming up for a Purim event to raise money for the Met Council, a Jewish charity fighting poverty in New York City.
Howie Mandel, Bob Saget, Jeff Garlin, Susie Essman, Jeff Ross, Judy Gold and more will perform an online Purim spiel, or comic reading of the holiday’s biblical story, on Monday. It will be broadcast here at 7 p.m. CST.
Triumph...
March 10, 2020
By SHEILA KATZ
WASHINGTON (JTA) — As we approach the Purim holiday, we also approach the one-year anniversary of my own going public about being sexually harassed by mega-philanthropist Michael Steinhardt. Over the past year, as the Jewish community has reckoned with the #MeToo movement, I’ve reflected on the people and systems who create the conditions that allow abuse to take place.
Much has been written in the last few years about how the...
March 06, 2020
Get ready for hamantaschen of the ninth order as the New Orleans Jewish Community Center, 5342 St. Charles Avenue, hosts its annual Adloyodah Purim Festival on Sunday, March 8, from 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
In addition to delicious holiday treats, there will be lots of games, music and activities on what will be the 51st year for such a family celebration.
The “Human Hamster Balls” and a giant slide...
March 04, 2020
(JTA) — Every Purim, Richard Roberts sponsors a party for more than 2,000 people in the heavily Orthodox New Jersey city of Lakewood, where he gives out, by his estimation, some $200,000 in charity.
This year, because of the coronavirus, the party is cancelled. Roberts, a philanthropist and former pharmaceutical executive, made the decision Wednesday afternoon — five days before the festive Jewish holiday, which begins on Monday night and...
March 02, 2020
By RABBI TZVI HERSH WEINREB
“THE LEADER’S CLOTHING”
Nowadays, all leaders look the same. Their typical garb is a dark business suit, a white or pale blue shirt, and a tie with a dash of color. They dress no differently from any other successful entrepreneur or professional. They wear no distinguishing sign to identify them as leaders, as men in positions of great power and responsibility.
There was...