Life lessons

"I've been rich and I've been poor. Rich is better." As in so many other areas, coming to America meant breaking the Old World pattern by which Jewish women performed in dramatic roles but rarely as comedians. American Jewish women became prominent comic performers in the immigrant generation, when comedic talents like Sophie Tucker, Fanny Brice, and Molly Picon took to the stage. Their comic routines expressed the experiences and desires of many second generation Jews, yet they appealed to mainstream audiences as well.In every successive generation, Jewish women comediennes helped shape the contours of American comedy. From Sophie Tucker,...

One of the things I love about our culture, aside from the food, is the great art, symbolism and motifs. Whether they are adorning jewelry, handcrafts, Synagogue walls or fine art, the Chai, Star of David, Hamsa, Tree of Life and the Dove are ever present in Judaic art. Ever wonder about the significance of these symbols? Here is a quick guide to their meanings. ChaiChai means “life” in Hebrew. This uplifting word affirms one of the most important values in the Jewish religion: preserving and celebrating life. Hence the common toast on Jewish occasions (and one of my favorite...

A Mezuzah case is used to protect the klaf (parchment), but is not halachically required. As such, the case may be made out of just about any material. Of course we prefer glass here at Beames Designs. But most importantly a beautiful Mezuzah is a mitzvah itself.Why is the Hebrew letter Shin on the front?Shaddai, ("Almighty") is one of the biblical names for God. It also serves as an acronym for Shomer Daltot Yisrael, "Guardian of Israel's doors". The Mezuzah case should have an opening through which the word Shaddai is visible. If the casing is made of a material...

A Hanukkah Cocktail for Each Candle Lit Hanukkah is a rather indulgent experience: eight days of celebration, teeming with fried latkes, golden-foil wrapped chocolate, all the jelly doughnuts one can stomach. Yet, as festivity vanguards, we’re here to revamp the typical Hanukkah hootenanny with…what else? Cocktails, of course. While plenty of emphasis has been placed on fare for the Festival of Lights, it’s time we create new traditions with libations. Whether you’re thirsting to sip something sweet or savory, we’ve compiled a list of eight celebratory cocktails for each night of Hanukkah. Pour ’em up and get in the spirit(s)....

Perhaps one of the best-known superstitions, one that’s been around for thousands of years and is still going strong, is the concept of the evil eye, the idea that certain people can cause you harm or wish you evil simply by looking at you. Superstitions come from the belief that through our actions, we can have some influence on the mysterious workings of the world. You can imagine how in ancient times, when people were powerless against mysterious diseases and often hungry in hostile environments, they were anxious to do anything that might influence their fate. Enter the Yiddish saying...