2020-12-04

Jewish women from North Africa have feminist Hanukkah tradition


This piece originally appeared in Alma. When it comes to celebrating Hanukkah, you probably think about lighting the menorah, playing dreidel (or maybe not, does anyone actually play dreidel?) and eating so many latkes that your stomach burns in sweet agony. But did you know that there’s a special Hanukkah tradition – Eid Al Bnat (The Festival of Daughters, in […]

From llamas to a Jewish superhero, these children’s books bring new characters into the Hanukkah story



Move over, Maccabees. This season’s crop of new Hanukkah books for kids puts the spotlight on new heroes, from playful llamas to brave and kind knights on horseback. Among this year’s highlights is Arthur A. Levine’s “The Hanukkah Magic of Nate Gadol,” a superhero story that comes to life with Kevin Hawkes’ sparkling illustrations. Over the years, as a leading […]

Organizations

Active Adults The Tampa JCCs and Federation offers the following programs for active adults. Unless otherwise specified, all programs listed take place on Zoom. To RSVP or for more information on programs, contact Pnina Levermore at (813) 291-2253 or pnina.levermore@jewishtampa.com. All registrations should be completed before events begin. Learning express: In April 2020, a bipartisan group of elections law experts […]

Oy gevalt, ‘Jeopardy!’ Yiddish category mostly stumps contestants


This article originally appeared in Kveller. “Jeopardy!” fans have been hard hit by the loss of Alex Trebek, who died of cancer on Nov. 8 at age 80. But because the show films in advance – and Trebek kept filming until a week before his passing – the beloved longtime host is still with us until Dec. 25 with new […]

Jewish astronaut Jessica Meir wants to be the first woman on the moon



Since astronaut Jessica Meir returned to Earth in April from the International Space Station, she – like all of us – has spent a lot of time indoors and cooped up. While many of us have spent our confinement dreaming of future trips, Meir is working on her own travel plans to a singular destination: She wants to walk on […]

Award scraps name of ‘father’ of 20th century medical education due to racist, sexist views

(JTA) – The name of a Jewish educator called the “father” of modern medical education is being removed from a prestigious award because of the racist and sexist views espoused in his work. The Abraham Flexner Award had been given for more than 60 years by the American Association of Medical Colleges to a person or group that advanced medical […]

Biden’s new COVID adviser has a popular DC ‘Jew-ish’ deli

(JTA) — Jeff Zients, a former Obama economic adviser, will lead the new administration’s COVID 19 response. Zients is well known for his work as director of the National Economic Council and acting director of the Office of Management and Budget during the Obama years. Zients helped to save the healthcare. gov website after a glitchy rollout in 2013. Lesser […]

Obituary

DALE STEVEN CHERNOFF, 64, of Tampa, died Nov. 20. Born in Gainesville, he was a lifelong resident of Tampa and a graduate of the University of Florida. Survivors include his father Martin Chernoff; sister and brother-in-law Eileen and Doug Benjamin. The family suggests memorials to the charity of one’s choice. (Segal Funeral Home)

Israel looks headed for more elections as Benny Gantz backs bill to dissolve parliament

(JTA) –Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz said Tuesday, Dec. 1, that his party will back a bill crafted by the opposition in parliament to dissolve the government, likely sending Israel to its fourth election in two years. The votes from Gantz’s Blue and White Party would provide the needed votes for the measure to pass in the Knesset. Gantz and […]