by Shekhiynah Larks | Oct 7, 2019 | Holidays, Identity
Sukkot is a holiday of joy and welcome. The custom of inviting spiritual ushpizin, which means “guests” in Aramaic, into the sukkah is a way of extending that welcome and joy to those who cannot physically be with us but whose spirit and values represent that which we...
by Shekhiynah Larks | Sep 25, 2019 | Holidays, Identity, Recipes
Anyone who knows me will tell you that I have a passion for food and feeding people. This passion comes from my Ashkenazi Israeli mother and my Japanese Canadian father, both of whom are fabulous cooks. Mom always had a snack ready when I came home from school. As...
by Webmaster | Sep 23, 2019 | Identity, Jewish Ritual
It’s Friday night and I’m standing in the glass vestibule at Congregation Shaare Emeth. A locked set of doors is in front of me, another set of doors leading to the lobby are behind me. I hold a walkie talkie. I am the first line of defense, but more importantly, the...
by Webmaster | Sep 17, 2019 | Holidays, Identity, Recipes
As Rosh Hashanah approaches I look back on this year with immense gratitude. Last August I converted to Judaism, and 5779 was my first year as a Jew. And a momentous one it was. I celebrated my first High Holidays. I graduated from college. I went on Birthright. I...
by Shekhiynah Larks | Aug 27, 2019 | Identity
The wedding hall is packed as Tali and her now-husband Natan, both Ethiopian Jews, celebrate their wedding with nearly 900 of their Ethiopian-Israeli family members and friends. The couple exude positivity and excitement and the guests are equally excited. We are...
by Webmaster | Jul 26, 2019 | Identity
This summer, the Abayudaya Jews of Uganda are celebrating 100 years of existence. The community held a centennial celebration at their main village of Nabugoye on June 30, and members of the Be’chol Lashon team were among the thousands in attendance. The Be’chol...
