Shabbat and Holidays
Modern Traditions for Your Passover Seder
Passover is my favorite holiday. I love the traditions that are passed down through my family history and those I’ve chosen to add as I began to plan my own seders as an adult. As my family has grown, so have our “new traditions”, bringing fresh meaning to our Passover table. Traditionally, the seder plate […]
Your Passover, Your Way: Resources to Make It Meaningful
As the days get longer and the flowers outside begin to bloom, Jewish people everywhere are preparing not just for the spring season, but for the holiday of Passover (Pesach in Hebrew.) Known to some as the Festival of Freedom and others as “the one week a year we can’t eat leavened bread”, the Macks […]
Celebrate Tu B’Shevat: The Birthday of the Trees
The holiday of Tu B’Shevat, translated as the 15th of the month of Shevat, is a beautiful holiday where we take time to celebrate nature. This year Tu B’Shevat falls out on Thursday, February 13th. Tu B’Shevat is sometimes called the birthday of the trees and is therefore also known as one of the four […]
Eight Nights of Light: Network Staff Chanukah Traditions
Jewish families are blessed to have eight full nights to find meaning and celebration in the Jewish holiday of Chanukah, the Festival of Lights. Chanukah celebrates the success of the Maccabees the small Jewish army who fought against the Greeks in the pursuit of religious freedom. Traditionally, we light the hanukkiah (Chanukah menorah) for eight […]
Resources to Make the Most Out of Your Chanukah
Just when winter brings us the shortest, darkest days of the year, the Jewish calendar brings us Chanukah, the Festival of Light. Whether you’ve been lighting Chanukah candles your whole life, or you’re celebrating for the first time, the Macks Jewish Connection Network hopes that these ideas and resources bring moments of meaning, connection, and […]
Tips for Creating Inclusive Holiday Experiences
This Chanukah, as we gather with family and friends, let’s make sure everyone feels safe, welcome and celebrated. The Jewish community is becoming more diverse all the time. For many years, the predominant culture of American Jewry has been white and Ashkenazi. Our community is seeing a transformation. Through marriage with other faith traditions, more […]
Five Sukkot Traditions You’ve Always Wondered About
Originally published September 2024 | Updated September 2026 Maybe you grew up celebrating Sukkot every year. Maybe you know the basics but have always wondered why we do certain things. Or maybe you’ve spotted a little hut in someone’s yard and thought, “What exactly is going on over there?” Sukkot traditions are meaningful, memorable and, […]
Staff Rosh Hashanah Traditions
Looking to incorporate a new practice or two into your Rosh Hashanah holiday? During a staff meeting, our team shared our families’ traditions for Rosh Hashanah, which celebrates the new year and kicks off the High Holiday season! Meal Must-Haves: Erica Bloom, Kate Kirby, and Abigail Malischostak all serve apple cake. Erica and Abigail […]
Apple-y Ever After: The Punny Side of Rosh Hashanah
With Rosh Hashanah marking the beginning of the Jewish year, there’s a tradition to start the year off right by incorporating symbolic foods that reflect the wish for a sweet year. Many people eat apples and honey and greet each other with the phrase, “Shana Tova U’Metukah, May you have a good and sweet new […]
From Fields to Festivities: Uncovering 7 Shavuot Facts
Have you ever wondered what Shavuot is all about? This year, the Jewish holiday of Shavuot begins the night of June 11 and ends the night of June 13. There are so many meaningful and delicious parts to Shavuot; from dairy foods to learning Torah and the anticipation of becoming the Jewish people. Dive in […]