Tree or no tree? Little tree or big? Only at the grandparents’, or at home, too? More than perhaps any other symbol, Christmas trees can trigger a variety of emotional responses for Jewish people in interfaith relationships. Whether you already know how you and your partner will handle this issue, or if you haven’t even started talking about it, the following stories from real couples and discussion questions from our experts can help you and your family talk about the elephant...

By Miriam Steinberg-Egeth While December is the season when kids get excited about presents, it’s also a perfect time to teach them the importance of giving back. These eight creative and fun ways of kids giving back this holiday season will work for kids of all ages and their grown-ups, and they can be tailored to Hanukkah, Christmas, New Year’s, or just because. If you’re celebrating Hanukkah, you could do one for each night. No pressure, though, just pick and choose...

Conclusion: It is customary, at the ritual’s conclusion, to sing “Shavua Tov” (whichmeans “a good week” in Hebrew) and turn on the room’s lights as itends. Shavua tov. (8x) A good week, a week of peace, may gladness reign and joy increase. (2x) http://www.interfaithfamily.com/holidays/shabbat_and_other_holidays/Havd...

Step 1: Why bless and what do we bless? The blessing over wine combines the regular acknowledgment of God's role in feeding people with alonger blessing onremembering creation. Many Jews grow up drinking a very sweet sacramental wine for Kiddush. Some people likethis wine, either because they like sweet things or because itmakes them nostalgic. Sweet wine isn’t necessary, however. Kosher wine makers, who make wineaccording to Jewish law about food and drink, are doing their best to improve the quality...

Step 1: Why bless and what do we bless? Flames evoke a sense of wonder. The beginning of Shabbat is marked with the lighting of candles. In biblical times, women lit a lampthat had to last them through the evening, since lighting a fire was work they would not do duringShabbat. This tradition has been carriedforward through Jewish history. Today, you can begin yourShabbat on Friday evening by lighting the candles and saying a blessing.You can buy candles that are marked...

•Feed them a “pre‐Shabbat” snack so they are patient through the blessings. • Have crayons/coloring books and quiet activities available that they can engage in at the table. • Buy a special treat for dessert – and make sure they know it comes at the end! • Play music – Shabbat songs or just relaxing music in the background. • Focus their energy in your own family rituals – so they know what to expect. Some families give theirchildren a fewcoins...

Challah is special bread for Shabbat.  In the poor homes of Eastern Europe, the daily fare was rough black bread. But on Shabbos the bread was a special loaf of white flour and eggs, decorated with poppy or sesame seeds. In some homes the challah is torn apart (to avoid using a knife which can be a weapon) and pieces are handed or tossed around to each guest. For others, the challah is sliced and passed on a special Shabbat platter....