Simchat Torah: Some Customs and a Story by Sholem Aleichem

ENGLISH CORNER, CON LINDA JIMÉNEZ – Simchat Torah means “Rejoicing in the Torah.” This holiday, which takes place right after Sukkot, marks the completion of the annual cycle of weekly Torah readings. Each week in synagogue we publicly … Leer más

Sukkot–Some Background and a Story by Sholem Aleichem

ENGLISH CORNER, CON LINDA JIMÉNEZ – Sukkot (Sukkos for Ashkenazi Jews) is a biblical Jewish holiday celebrated on the 15th day of the month of Tishrei, between late September and late October. It is one of the three … Leer más

Shavuot–History, Customs and a Story: “Greens for Shavuos” by Sholem Aleichem

ENGLISH CORNER, CON LINDA JIMÉNEZ – This week’s trivia question: Why do some people decorate their homes with greens and fresh flowers on Shavuot?

Shavuot (pronounced Shavuos by Ashkenazi Jews) is not as well-known as other holidays … Leer más

Three Chanukah Stories by I. B. Singer  

ENGLISH CORNER, CON LINDA JIMÉNEZ – This week we’re celebrating Chanukah and, in keeping with our tradition here at English Corner, I’m going to read you a story–actually three stories.

“Grandmother’s Tale”, “The Devil’s Trick” and “Zlateh … Leer más

A Rosh Hashonah Story by Yente Serdatzky

ENGLISH CORNER, CON LINDA JIMÉNEZ – This week we are celebrating Rosh Hashonah, the Jewish New Year, with a Rosh Hashonah story. It’s called “Rosh Hashonah”, and was written by Yente Serdatzky. She was a Yiddish writer, who … Leer más

Purim: History(?), Traditions and a Recipe

ENGLISH CORNER, CON LINDA JIMÉNEZ – This week’s trivia question: Where does the custom of masquerading on Purim come from?

We’re celebrating Purim this week, so I thought it would be interesting to talk a little … Leer más

Tu B’Shevat: Not just the “Birthday of the Trees”

ENGLISH CORNER, CON LINDA JIMÉNEZ – This week’s trivia question: What are the seven species listed in the Book of Deuteronomy that Jews traditionally eat on the holiday of Tu B’Shevat?

Tu B’Shevat, the 15th of the … Leer más

The Little Chanukah Lamp: A Story by I. L. Peretz

ENGLISH CORNER, CON LINDA JIMÉNEZ – This week we’re celebrating Chanukah and, in keeping with our tradition here at English Corner, I’m going to read you a holiday story  But first, some background about the author, I.L. Peretz .

… Leer más

Sukkot: Some Customs and a Story by Abraham Reisin

ENGLISH CORNER, CON LINDA JIMÉNEZ – The Festival of Sukkot begins on the 15th of Tishrei, the fifth day after Yom Kippur, and lasts for seven days. It is quite a drastic transition, from one of the most … Leer más

Yom Kippur in Hell: A Story by I. L. Peretz

ENGLISH CORNER, CON LINDA JIMÉNEZ – Isaac Leib Peretz is considered to be one of the three great classical Yiddish writers, along with Mendele Mokher Seforim and Sholem Aleichem. He was born in the shtetl of Zamoshtch, Poland, … Leer más

Shanah Tovah! A Rosh Hashonah recipe for a sweet New Year

ENGLISH CORNER, CON LINDA JIMÉNEZ – This week’s trivia question: What does the word “teiglach” mean? 

This week we’re celebrating Rosh Hashonah, the Jewish New Year, so we’re offering you a special holiday program.  As you know, most … Leer más

Lag BaOmer: History and Traditions (The End of a Plague?)

ENGLISH CORNER, CON LINDA JIMÉNEZ – This week’s trivia question: What does shooting bows and arrows have to do with playing cards? And how are both of these activities related to Jewish history?

The … Leer más

A Hanukkah Memoir, by Norma Rosen

ENGLISH CORNER, CON LINDA JIMÉNEZ – This week we’re celebrating Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, so this is a special holiday program. In this memoir, “A Generation Reclaims Hanukkah”, American author Norma Rosen tells of her own experience … Leer más

Tu B’Shevat, with Ami Barr

ENGLISH CORNER, CON LINDA JIMÉNEZ – This week’s trivia question: How is the work of the National Jewish Fund related to Tu B’Shevat?

This week we are speaking with Ami Barr about the upcoming holiday of … Leer más

Shanah Tovah 5775

ENGLISH CORNER, CON LINDA JIMÉNEZ – This week we are celebrating Rosh Hashonah, the Jewish New Year, with a Rosh Hashonah story. It’s called “Rosh Hashonah”, and was written by Yente Serdatzky. She was a Yiddish writer, who … Leer más