Holidays

Yom Hashoah arrives this year on the eve of two historic anniversaries: the 80th anniversary of the coming into effect of the Nuremberg Race Laws, which served as prologue and precursor to the Holocaust, and the 70th anniversary of the Nuremberg Trials, which served as the foundation for the development of contemporary international human rights and humanitarian law.

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SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — “Why can’t we eat veggie burritos tonight? Will I be miracled? Will they play ‘The Wheel?’ Will Phil sing?”

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JACKSON, N.J. — Pinchas Cohen spent most of Monday (April 25) wandering around Six Flags Great Adventure under a blazing sun, wearing a knee-length black coat and carrying a big box of shmura matzah under his arm.

Thank you to all the young artists who participated in this year’s Passover art contest. From seder plates and matzah, to depictions of the plagues – and even a few burning bushes – it was wonderful to see all the creative submissions.

How hard can making matzah be? Mix flour and water, and bake.

A Jewish Singles Passover Seder will be held 7:15 p.m. Friday, April 22, at Young Israel of Phoenix, 6232 N. Seventh St., Suite 107.

The East Valley Jewish community observance of Yom Hashoah will be a staged reading of “Magda’s Story,” by David F. Eliet, 4 p.m. Sunday, May 1, at Temple Emanuel of Tempe, 5801 S. Rural Road.

In preparation for drinking four cups of wine at next week’s Passover seders, Jewish News recently talked with Jay Buchsbaum, vice president of marketing and director of wine education for the Royal Wine Corp./Kedem, and asked him a few questions about kosher wine. Here is an excerpt from the interview:

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Afikomen hunts, a rambunctious pup and the catchy classic "Dayenu." All are featured in a half-dozen new Passover books for children that will inform and entertain even the littlest kid — or a whole herd of 'em.

Chef and best-selling author Paula Shoyer offers recommendations that she guarantees will match the Passover culinary tradition while simultaneously enlivening your seder.

Even during Jewish holidays, when food is so abundant, it is possible to eat well.

In the 1930s, Rabbi Tobias Geffen of Atlanta began to investigate the hidden ingredients inside mass-produced foods and to evaluate whether those ingredients conflict with kosher laws. He then set a precedent by getting The Coca-Cola Co. to make a kosher-for-Passover version of its soft drink, persuading the company to substitute the grain alcohol used in the processing of its drink to alcohol derived from molasses.

There are two funny images I like to circulate this time every year as we approach the Passover holiday. The first is a cartoon of a truck with large text on the side reading Morty’s Passover Cleaning. On the driver’s side door is the word chametz inside a circle with a line struck through it. Underneath the large Morty’s Passover Cleaning text on the side of the truck it reads: Orthodox $89.95, Conservative $49.95, Reform $19.95.

Purim festivities around the Valley last week featured the traditional signs of the holiday, such as creative costumes, festive meals and hamantaschen. We feature many of these in a Purim slideshow at jewishaz.com. 

This year, the first Passover seder falls on Friday evening, April 22. Here are a list of seders that are open to the community. For times, locations and prices, contact the organization directly.

Hanukkah 5776 was a joyous time in the Valley and Northern Arizona, as families and congregations got together to celebrate the festival of lights. Here are some images from this year’s events.

Despite Hanukkah being one of the few Jewish holidays not mentioned in the Torah, it gets a lot of play – pun intended. Shmuel Arnold of Baltimore recalls how while growing up in a secular Jewish household, his parents made an extra effort to give Hanukkah gifts every night. Sometimes, they needed to get creative, like wrapping socks or delivering a gift from an extended family member.

As the parent of two interfaith children, now 17 and 20, it was crucial every year to at least attempt to reduce the avalanche of holiday packages, boxes and bags. I really did not want my interfaith kids to feel entitled, superior or somehow wealthier than their single-faith playmates

Growing up, ours was the only house on the block with a menorah glowing in the window. This should have put me onto the fast track to Christmas envy, but it didn’t. I respected Christmas, but was never jealous of those who celebrated. In fact, watching my neighbors actually gave me a deeper appreciation for the simpler joys of Hanukkah. Here’s why:

With Hanukkah on the way, it’s easy to hold a party where all guests – disabled and not – feel welcomed, respected and have fun. All it takes is some planning. Here are some tips to ensure you are being inclusive, thoughtful and welcoming to all.

Hanukkah began Dec. 6, and there are still plenty of celebrations.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that we can never get tired of Hanukkah latkes and sufganiyot (the holiday’s deep-fried jelly doughnuts). But there’s no harm in adding some culinary variety to this year’s Festival of Lights. Pastry chef Paula Shoyer offers a doughnut recipe with a twist as well as two alternative recipes that are great for Hanukkah and will satisfy any sweet tooth.

Sharing blessings, friendship and welcoming guests are among the themes that illuminate a new crop of Hanukkah books for children. The eight-day Festival of Lights begins this year with the first candle lighting on Sunday evening, Dec. 6.

The Mensch on a Bench is so much happier now than he was a year ago. Look carefully and you will notice that, whereas the previous Mensch had a decidedly worried look, this latest version of the popular Hanukkah toy is flashing an exuberant grin.