Rachael offers a suggestion on how to use Mussar to help with all the organizing and stress of cooking, cleaning and preparing for Passover.

“What is on the Seder Plate” takes you around the plate and explains the meaning and purpose for each object. Whether this is your first Passover or thirtieth Passover, you’re still bound to have a ‘aha’ moment after watching this video.

ULIANA Posted

Pesach is around the corner and with my luck I had to get sick!!!

I cannot even begin to describe how many things are still left to do around the house, and all I can think of is my bed, hot tea and lots of meds…The long to-do list will have to wait just a little bit longer.

At a time like this I am so appreciative for having such a wonderful family who each year takes the responsibility to prepare the Seder meals.

Sooner than later a time will come where I will be the one preparing the meals…I am just so thankful that its not this time!!!

RACHAEL posted:

I’ve had some interesting moments over the last few days that connect to Pesach in a very roundabout way.  Some of my former university students have contacted me with questions about Judaism and their lives as they’re entering different stages.  One student is planning her wedding and she wanted to learn the laws of family purity and Mikvah and sexuality.  It was great to see her again and a pleasure to study with her once more.  I am also preparing some lectures for university campuses that have to do with Passover and the book of Exodus and the men and women of the text and history.

In both instances I am struck with these young people and their thirst for meaning – not knowledge – MEANING.  In some instances these young adults have been very technically educated in their Judaism.  They know Jewish law in great detail and what to do should unlikely circumstances require a quick ‘Jewish’ decision.  They have shared with me that they are afraid to ask the ‘meaning’ question.  Not how we do things but why we do them.  As parents, we taught them to be critical thinkers and to push for useful knowledge.  Yet when it comes to their Judaism, they have become minutiae experts ready to walk away because their souls crave more.

Ironically, those young people who do not have the technical Jewish knowledge are in the same bind.  They are asking questions about Judaism and given academic answers that address history and methodology teaching them skills of inquiry but the spiritual aspect has no place in the academic world.  When they ask the same questions in the community, they are often geared toward behaviour modification rather than meaningfulness.  Like the 1st group, they’re ready to walk away.  They may take a different door out but both groups are heading for an exit.

At this year’s Seders, I challenge families to be courageous and ask tough questions.  Push to the next level of meaning.  “Why do we eat bitter herbs? To remind us of our suffering in Egypt.”  Now go one more step and ask: ‘Why do we need to remember suffering?  Why does it matter what happened so long ago?  Why were we suffering to begin with?  Why Egypt, of all countries? Why do we care?’

The goal is not to answer the questions but to openly admit they must be asked.  It’s shocking to hear people’s views on the questions of meaning – it’s usually a moment of sincere honesty.

Our children are craving food for their soul – meaningful exchange with us.  What better time to start than Pesach?

The festival is in for a suprise as it falls in the middle of the High Holidays this year.

ARON Posted:

Every September, Hollywood meets in Toronto for the Toronto International Film Festival, or the TIFF as it’s usually called. It seems this year there might be a real ‘tiff’ about it. The festival traditionally begins on the first Thursday after Labour Day and ends nine days later on a Saturday night. By pure unfortunate timing, it falls smack in the middle of the High Holidays.

I know that some of us joke that there is a large Jewish influence in Hollywood (and the anti-Zonists take that further and skew it for their antisemitic agenda) but there is some truth that there is definitely a Jewish presence in Hollywood. The fact that the media have started picking up on it tells you this festival will be different than the ones in years past.

Based on the calendar if you are observant, you’ll be missing four out of the ten days of the festival. What will you do if you are a top sponsor? (as so many Gold Sponsors are Jewish) What about the industry players and execs?

I’ll be curious to see how it affects the planning of the TIFF in the months to come. I am sure this is only the beginning.

As Passover approaches, the question of how to sell our Chametz (bread products), and why are we allowed to sell it.

Rachael walks through the different items you’ll need in order to have a Passover Seder.

As Passover approaches, Rachael looks at the question of why some Jewish people sell their Chametz (bread products) and also offers an alternative idea of what you can do with all that Chametz.

Posted by MARGOT
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One week left of University.  Where do I go from here?
The logical next step would be to find a job – but where are these jobs?
With the economy what it is employers are less and less likely to hire a recent grad; they prefer someone with a little more experience.
The next logical step would be to get another degree or more qualifications.  But then, where does the money come from to pay for this degree?  And will it really help the life path?Â
At the end of the day, where would I like to be in 5 years?

Posted by ULIANA

Encountering new challenges on daily basis is part of life. We learn to adapt to those changes very quickly in order to feel that sense of calm and control once again.

Well, today is the day where I find myself challenged by my first official blog entry… I am what most would call a ‘newbie’ at blogging, and at this very moment I am trying to gain that calm and control feeling back.

I never had to share my thoughts, feelings or ideas in cyberspace. Yes, on a college paper numerous times, but never like this. The longer I sit here in front of my screen and dwell on what to write about, the more I begin to understand the need for expression and sharing and how we all have that urge to know what the other person is thinking, doing or feeling. Isn’t that what online community building is all about?

I am hoping that as time goes by and the more I blog, I will no longer find myself challenged by this obstacle but instead feel that calm and control with each entry…