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

The Day before Yom Kippur, by Sholem Aleichem

ENGLISH CORNER, CON LINDA JIMÉNEZ – Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the year for the Jews. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. According to Jewish tradition, God inscribes each … Leer más

Shavuot–Its Origins, Significance, Customs…and a Story

ENGLISH CORNER, CON LINDA JIMÉNEZ – This week’s trivia question: Why are dairy foods traditionally eaten on Shavuot?

Shavuot is the Hebrew word for “weeks” and refers to the Jewish festival marking the giving of the … Leer más

A Country Passover, by Sholem Aleichem

ENGLISH CORNER, CON LINDA JIMÉNEZ – Passover is this week, and so I’m going to read you a Passover story by Sholem Aleichem.  It is about two boys, a Jew and a Christian, who live in a small village … Leer más

A Story for Sukkot:  The Esrog, by Sholem Aleichem

ENGLISH CORNER, CON LINDA JIMÉNEZ – Sukkot, pronounced Sukkos by Ashkenazi Jews, is a biblical Jewish holiday celebrated on the 15th day of the month of Tishrei, between late September and late October. The holiday lasts seven days … Leer más

A Purim Story by Sholem Aleichem

ENGLISH CORNER, CON LINDA JIMÉNEZ – This week we celebrate Purim, so, in keeping with English Corner tradition, I’m going to read you a story. This one is called “The Goldspinners“, and is one of the lesser-known stories … Leer más

“The Dangerous Matzo”– A Passover Story by Sholem Aleichem

ENGLISH CORNER, CON LINDA JIMÉNEZ – This week’s trivia question:: How is the Yiddish writer Sholem Aleichem remembered each year?

Sholem Aleichem is probably the best-known and most well-loved Yiddish writer. He was born Sholem Naumovich … Leer más

Kaporos—A Story for Yom Kippur by Sholem Aleichem

ENGLISH CORNER, CON LINDA JIMÉNEZ – The word “Kaporos” is a Hebrew word which refers to an old religious custom among the Jews, the ritual of the scapegoat. The ritual of Kaporos is performed in the home before … Leer más

A Passover Story by Sholem Aleichem

ENGLISH CORNER, CON LINDA JIMÉNEZ – Sholem Aleichem (born Shalom Rabinowitz) is considered one of the fathers of modern Yiddish literature (along with Mendele Mocher Sforim and I.L. Peretz. He was born in Pereyaslav, the Ukraine, and moved … Leer más

A Yom Kippur Scandal, by Sholem Aleichem

ENGLISH CORNER, CON LINDA JIMÉNEZ – Sholem Aleichem is probably the best-known and most well-loved Yiddish writer.  He was born Sholem Rabinovich in Russia in 1859, and died in New York in 1916.  He did a lot to promote … Leer más