Tag Archives: celebration

Shared Joy

This year the last day of Chanukah falls on Christmas Eve, reminding us of the unique connection many inter-faith families share. And for those of us who observe only one of the holidays, it’s nice to see how our friends are enjoying their special parties. Getting together with family enhances the combination of fun, warmth, good food and beautiful decorations – whatever event you’re celebrating. And studies have shown that when families join together to practice their customs and rituals, there’s a positive effect on the children. They’re more likely … Continue reading

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Happy Thanksgivukkah

By now you’ve likely heard about Thanksgivukkah, the dual celebration of Thanksgiving and Chanukah which occurs today for the first time since 1888 and the last time for more than 70,000 more years. People have been talking about making sweet potato latkes, cranberry applesauce or even deep-frying a turkey stuffed with potato pancakes. The two holidays also come together over some shared core values – giving thanks for connections with family and friends, a celebration of religious freedom, achieving a goal through dedication and joint efforts. But for some families … Continue reading

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Celebrate Chanukah with Traditional Foods and Less Stress

Now that Chanukah is in full swing, I’ve been enjoying the holiday with family and friends. And what is a celebration without the traditional foods – potato pancakes (latkes), donuts (sofganiot) and chocolate coins (gelt). Food has always been an important part of family rituals – sometimes the scents alone can bring back vivid memories of shared holidays. And it can transcend generations: frying latkes reminds me of watching my mother make them for us as kids, making dozens for my own children, and now preparing them to take to … Continue reading

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Making Changes on Days of Celebration

With Tax Day over, this week is a time for family celebrations – Passover for some, Easter for others, and Earth Day for everyone. Earth Day is celebrated this Friday, April 22, as a means of teaching about and appreciating the Earth’s environment. In the wake of these tornadoes, seismic activities, tsunamis and radiation leaks this spring, we all are struck by the realization that changes in the Earth can come in many ways. They can be gradual or sudden and violent. They can come from the forces of nature … Continue reading

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