Jewish Christmas

Hope your holidays were filled with family, food and laughter. 

My family wishes yours a Happy and Healthy New Year. 

We ate Chinese food on Christmas Day to celebrate with my brother-in-law.  We had curry beef, sweet and sour chicken, and mushroom egg foo young. Since it's only the 3 of us for holidays, it's much easier to order in than to cook a huge meal that results in a week's worth of leftovers.

Shabbat Table Runner

Why do Jews in America enjoy Chinese food on Christmas? According to Kveller, it began on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe and Chinese immigrants were two non-Christian immigrant groups living side by side in nearby Manhattan neighborhoods. And while it’s true that Chinese restaurants were likely the only option open for Jews on a holiday like Christmas. An article from The Atlantic said that Jews and the Chinese were linked by their otherness on Christmas because neither had yet assimilated into American culture or celebrated the holiday.

Food writer Michael Twitty explains further, sharing, ““How do you affirm your Americanness when the ‘American’ thing to do is celebrate Christmas?” he said. “You create your own ‘Christmas.’”

Shabbat Tea Towels

Today, most American Jews feel accepted and embraced by American society, and so the isolation and negativity previously associated with the necessity to eat Chinese food has long passed. Chinese food on Christmas is celebrated by society at large, and you can even find restaurants like New York City’s Mile End deli featuring special Chinese-Jewish menus specifically for the celebration of “Jewish Christmas.”

Shabbat

Shabbat starts each Friday at sundown, and lets me recharge my batteries singing and dancing at services at napping afterward. 

How do you celebrate Shabbat?

Special Offer:  Snowflake Earrings (28 includes shipping)

Click on the image to purchase

 

Light up the Holidays - Peace Love Series

Light up the Holidays

We're almost at the end of Hanukkah, already. It ends on Monday. Have your had enough latkes yet? 

Here's one of my best-selling Hanukkah Ornament designs.

I've seen so many Hanukkah menorah candles and cities around the world lit up on social media. Please do your part in bringing LIGHT to the world. 

In my neighborhood, I'm seeing a bunch of Christmas holiday decorations which lights up my heart. It's hard to be Jewish on Christmas. Years ago, I decorated Christmas trees at my jobs, and it was fun because I've never had one at home. 

Merry Christmas to those who celebrate. I hope you are surrounded with love and light and chocolate. 

I'm continuing my Peace Love ... series for TuBishvat, Purim, and Passover. 

You can help! Give me your ideas for my Peace Love ...X series, and I'll consider adding it to my design list.

Hanukkah Greetings

Hanukkah commemorates the victory of the Maccabees and the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem. The eight-day festival is a joyous occasion, so greeting Jewish friends, family and colleagues with warm Chanukah wishes will surely be welcomed. 

Happy Chanukah

In Hebrew, say chag chanuka sameach, (pronounced chahg cha-nu-KAH sah-MAY-ach.)

Note: items may not arrive in time for Hanukkah

In Israel, it is common to just say chanuka sameach. Some Israelis prefer chag urim sameach (pronounced chahg oo-REEM sah-MAY-ach), which literally translates to “Happy Festival of Lights.”

In Yiddish, say Ah Freilichin Hanukkah, (a happy Hanukkah). Less common but also beautiful: A Lichtiger Hanukkah, meaning a Hanukkah full of light.

And in Ladino (Judeo-Spanish) you can say Hanukah alegre — Happy Hanukkah!

Shabbat happens every week. Make yours special with this gorgeous table runner.  

I know you're still making latkes, but my Tu Bishvat collection is ready to order. 

If you like bold, vivid colors, this Tea Towel is perfect for your home decor. 

My favorite Hanukkah tradition is lighting the candles. What's yours? 

Hanukkah starts soon

Hanukkah is the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after its defilement by the Syrian Greeks in 164 BCE. It's also known as the Festival of Lights and usually takes place in December, at the time of year when the days are shortest in the northern hemisphere. This year it starts on Sun., Dec 14 at sundown, when we light the first candle. 

In 167 BCE, the Jews of Judea revolted against the oppression of King Antiochus IV Epiphanes of the Seleucid Empire. The military leader of the first phase of the revolt was Judah the Maccabee, the eldest son of the priest Mattityahu (Mattathias). In the autumn of 164, Judah and his followers captured the Temple in Jerusalem, which had been turned into a pagan shrine. They cleansed it and rededicated it to Israel’s G-d. This event was observed in an eight-day celebration, which was patterned like Sukkot, the autumn festival of huts. 

Hanukkah Gifts

Note: Hanukkah shipping and delivery may be delayed, because of the holiday season. 

Much later rabbinic tradition focuses on Hanukkah and it's length and the miracle of the small amount of oil that burned for eight days. They didn't want to focus on a battle, but instead on the Festival of Lights.

Chanukah has become one of the most beloved of Jewish holidays. In an act of defiance against those in the past and in the present who would root out Jewish practice, the observance of Hanukkah has assumed a visible community aspect and public candle lighting. At such celebrations, Hanukkah songs are sung. Hanukkah is a holiday that celebrates the liberation from oppression. It also provides a strong argument in favor of freedom of worship and religion. 

Special Offer: Purim Earrings $19 (includes shipping) 

Click on the image to purchase

Shabbos is for

Shabbos is for naps and cuddles. That's a new collection I'm working on in my design shop.

Shabbat has been a meaningful for part of my life for many years. I learned the joy of disconnecting and recharging my batteries. I'm blessed to have found an online congregation during COVID called Romemu in New York. 

Not too long ago, my kitty boys decided to join me for Shabbat. This is Tommy on my desk watching Shabbat services. After Zoom services, my synagogue family all comment about our cat, Tommy and how affectionate he is. Really, he walks on the desk, moves the camera with this tail and basically lets me know when it's "Tommy time."

Shabbat Napkins 

These are some of my favorite prayers and thoughts in the Siddur for Shabbat:

Make room for a divine spark, a holy emptiness (It is the process of creating inner space to allow divine grace, love, or the Divine to enter and fill one's life.)"

Psalm 148: "Praise the Tapestry of being higher far than we can reach or know - yet we thank from earth and sky the Becoming that raised us up: praise to the loving ones ... the ones intimate with the Infinite." 

Nishmat Kol Chai: The breath of all life praises your name ... O Breath of Life." 

Return us to you, Ever-present and we shall always be returning. (Aleinu)

Hanukkah starts Dec 14

Latke Platter

Bar Mitzvah Personalized Keepsake

Tell me how you take a Shabbat rest. What's your favorite blessing or prayer? 

November-Thanksgiving & Kislev

The Hebrew Month of Kislev begins on 25 Kislev or November 21, 2025. It's the ninth month of the Jewish calendar, counting from Nisan (as the first month). 

As Americans, we think of November as Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday.

FYI, gratitude is expressed and practiced everyday in Jewish life. When we wake up, we recite the Modeh Ani prayer. 

"Modeh ani l’fanecha, melech chai v’kayam, shehechezarta bi nishmati b’chemla, raba emunatecha" 

It translates literally as “Thank You, I.” The point is that the very first word that comes out of our mouths should be one of gratitude. We often spend the rest of our waking day focused on ourselves, our needs, our work. So we want to ensure that we never forget to have the foundation of our day be “Thank You.” (Source: My Jewish Learning) 

I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving. We've learned to reduce the amount of food we cook. For example, we don't like green bean casserole anymore, so that's not on the menu.

For the first time this year, we're having a roast. My hubby doesn't like turkey that much and even a small turkey breast has too much food for 3 people. But, I'm having a turkey lunch with a friend the Monday before Thanksgiving. 

I'm feeling thankful, grateful and blessed this year for my family and friends. 

Married to a Scorpio Survival Tips

November 18 is Married to a Scorpio Support Day. My hubby and I are both Scorpios, so I thought this would be a fun blog topic. 

Here are 3 Essential Tips for Surviving Your Scorpio Marriage

• 1. Never Lie. Never. If you tell a Scorpio you're "five minutes away," you have exactly 300 seconds. If you're late, do not invent a story about traffic, a flat tire, or a sudden swarm of bees. They already know. 

I want to chop something rapidly after he starts a conversation with "Remember that night, 10 years ago, when you said this?" (See #2 below)

A lox and bagels glass cutting board 

• 2. Your Secret is Their Secret... Forever. Did you mention that embarrassing thing you did in third grade? That information is now locked in a vault deeper and more secure than Fort Knox. It will only be brought up three decades from now, mid-argument, as the single, most devastating truth bomb in human history. Be prepared.

• 3. Learn the Art of the "Intense Stare." Scorpios don't need words. They communicate via a penetrating look that can either mean "I love you and want to merge souls forever," or "I am currently calculating the value of all your worldly possessions." The trick is knowing the difference. (Hint: there is no difference.) Note: "I've been told that people feel like I'm looking into their soul."

---

So, on this November 18 run a bath, put on a movie that you chose (when they’re not home), and pour a glass of something strong. You are married to a complex, magnificent creature of depth and shadow. 

On the other hand, my hubby is the most generous, funniest guy I know. He would give you the shirt off his back while telling you funny "dad" jokes. 

Happy Birthday, Honey! Nov. 16

Special Offer: Topaz Chandelier earrings (Scorpio Birthstone) 
Was $25 now $20 with shipping 
http://paypal.me/linorstore/20

Comment with one funny thing that your spouse or significant other said that gave you a HUGE reaction.

Coming 11/24