Back by popular demand, the classic JPS holiday anthologies remain essential and relevant in our digital age. Unequaled in-depth compilations of classic and contemporary writings, they have long guided rabbis, cantors, educators, and other readers seeking the origins, meanings, and varied celebrations of the Jewish festivals. The Shavuot Anthology elucidates Shavuot's teachings, customs, stories, and lore for a modern generation. In this in-depth compendium, writings by Flavius Josephus and Philo of Alexandria, Talmud and midrash, medieval literature by Moses Maimonides, poetry by Judah Halevi and Abraham ibn Ezra, prose by Abraham Joshua Heschel and Ahad Ha'am, and stories by Martin Buber and Sholom Aleichem appear alongside art and dramatizations, arts and crafts, culinary arts and humor, children's stories and games, and programs and projects.

Back by popular demand, the classic JPS holiday anthologies remain essential and relevant in our digital age. Unequaled in-depth compilations of classic and contemporary writings, they have long guided rabbis, cantors, educators, and other readers seeking the origins, meanings, and varied celebrations of the Jewish festivals. The Rosh Hashanah Anthology is designed to make the commemoration of the Jewish New Year meaningful as both a solemn and a festive day. Its religious impact, significance, history, and messages are embodied in the great treasures of Jewish classical writings--the Bible, Talmud, midrashim, medieval theological and philosophical works, codes of law and liturgy--and all are featured in this volume. In addition, modern works by S. Y. Agnon, Franz Rosenzweig, Isaac Bashevis Singer, and Elie Wiesel accompany liturgical selections with commentaries, depictions of Rosh Hashanah observances in many lands, detailed programming suggestions, illustrations, and an extensive bibliography.

Back by popular demand, the classic JPS holiday anthologies remain essential and relevant in our digital age. Unequaled in-depth compilations of classic and contemporary writings, they have long guided rabbis, cantors, educators, and other readers seeking the origins, meanings, and varied celebrations of the Jewish festivals. Drawing on Jewish creativity from hundreds of sources--the Bible, postbiblical literature, Talmud, midrashim, prayers with commentaries, Hasidic tales, short stories, poems, liturgical music--and describing Yom Kippur observances in various lands and eras, The Yom Kippur Anthology vividly evokes the vitality of this holiday throughout history and its significance for the modern Jew. Literary works by prominent authors S. Y. Agnon, Martin Buber, Meyer Levin, I. L. Peretz, Franz Rosenzweig, Sholom Aleichem, Elie Wiesel, and Herman Wouk also illuminate the spiritual grandeur of the holiday.

This is the first comprehensive study of the images in five profusely illustrated Yiddish books from sixteenth-century Italy: a manuscript of Jewish customs, and four printed volumes - two books of customs, a chivalric romance, and a book of fables.

This illustrated reference work covers a wide range of festivals that have sacred origins and are, or have been, part of a folk tradition, a world religion, or a major civilization. Traditional Festivals: A Multicultural Encyclopedia travels around the world and across the centuries to uncover an often unexpected richness of meaning in some of the major sacred festivals of the world's religions, the hallowed calendars of ancient civilizations, and the seasonal celebrations of tribal cultures. From Akitu to Yom Kippur, its 150+ entries look at the content and context of these festivals from a number of perspectives (including those relating to theology, anthropology, folklore, and social theory), tracing their historical development and variations across cultures. Readers will get a vivid sense of what each festival means to the people celebrating it; how each captures its culture's beliefs, hopes and fears, founding myths, and redemptive visions; and how each expresses the universal need of humans to connect their lives to a timeless spiritual dimension.

The inimitable, classic guide to the ageless heritage of Judaism, from Rabbi Hayim H. Donin, an incomparable teacher and interpreter of Jewish laws and practice. Embraced over many decades by hundreds of thousands of readers, To Be a Jew offers a clear and comprehensive introduction to traditional Jewish laws and customs as they apply to daily life in the contemporary world. In simple and powerful language, Rabbi Hayim Halevy Donin presents the fundamentals of Judaism, including the laws and observances for the Sabbath, the dietary laws, family life, prayer at home and in the synagogue, the major and minor holidays, and the guiding principles and observances of life, such as birth, naming, circumcision, adoption and conversion, Bar-mitzvah, marriage, divorce, death, and mourning. Ideal for reference, reflection, and inspiration, To Be a Jew will by greatly valued by anyone who feels that knowing, understanding, and observing the laws and traditions of Judaism in daily life is the essence of what it means to be a Jew.

This package includes the complete three-volume set of the Christ in the Feasts series: Christ in the Passover, Christ in the Feast of Pentecost, and Christ in the Feast of Tabernacles. In Christ in the Passover, Ceil and Moishe Rosen explore the meaning behind the different elements of the feast such as the bitter herbs, salty water, a sweet apple mixture, and the shankbone of a lamb. This book invites you to enter the celebration of Passover, rich with history and significance for both Jew and Gentile. God wasn't finished working in the lives of His people after the waters of the Red Sea parted. Both past and future deliverance are celebrated in this solemn and joyful feast. Through Christ in the Passover, you’ll trace God’s involvement through the history of this holy day—from the first Passover, all the way to the modern Seder. And in the revised editions of this inviting book, the authors show you how the death and resurrection of Jesus the Messiah are forever interwoven with the Passover and its symbolism. In Christ in the Feast of Pentecost, this engrossing book will quickly capture your attention as you realize the excitement leading up to this festive occasion and the richness it will bring to your understanding of both the Old and New Testament references. The authors treat us to the sense of anticipation that "cannot be overstated" as their insightful account of traditions leading up to this holiday unfolds...a boy's first haircut, bonfires, sweet treats, artful paper cutting, firstfruits. Shavnot will lead believers in Jesus into greater understanding of the significance of the omer, the waiting period, which foreshadows our watching for His return and gives further meaning to our work of building His kingdom. In Christ in the Feast of Tabernacles, David Brickner will captivate you with the rich imagery of this great festival. From the feast's origins of being celebrated with temporary shelters to modern-day observances--and even its meaning for heaven--you'll be enriched by this fascinating account.

Written in a warm and understanding tone, this guide takes the best in secular early childhood education and applies it to Jewish early childhood education. With extensive bibliographies as well as background information for teachers, individual chapters review developmentally appropriate practice, anti-bias education, storytelling, music, Jewish thematic units, reaching out to interfaith families, keeping kosher at school, and much more.

This multicultural reference work on Jewish folklore, legends, customs, and other elements of folklife is the first of its kind.