Is there a right—or wrong?—way to use a Menorah? This seemingly innocent topic turned into quite the lively discussion recently. Opinions were so strongly divided, it surprised me. Personally, it’s never even been a question. I was raised in a home that used the traditional method. We lit one candle per night, working up to eight total candles. Occasionally, we also used an electric bulb version, too, but that was always in addition to, rather than in place of.

Seems pretty simple, right? Well, not exactly. A friend mentioned that she lights all 8 candles the first night of Hanukkah, then reduces one at a time on the following nights.  Another lady said that every member of her family, kids included, has their own menorah and they light all of them together. A third person, who tends to be a wise guy, insisted we’re all wrong because only oil-burning menorahs truly fulfill the commandment, not just candles.

Rather confusing, indeed! According to Judaism.com, there is no general agreement and they advise asking a Rabbi if you’re in doubt. While I wouldn’t change the way I’ve always done it, I don’t have a problem with others doing something else. Each person should celebrate in their favorite way, no squabbling needed!

Readers are welcome to chime in. How many menorahs are needed, how they should be lit, etc.

Interested in Jewish learning but have limited time? Busy moms and working women will love CyberSem, the first ever online Jewish Women’s seminary. This interactive experience is geared towards those who have not had the opportunity to attend seminary, or for anyone who wants to better understand Judaism.

Digital classroom courses and self-paced video courses are available. Students will complete individual weekly assignments and work on projects collaboratively. Each accredited course is taught by expert instructors who are knowledgeable in fields like Torah, Tanach, Talmud and Practical Jewish Law. They will provide each student with one-on-one feedback and assessments.

I know many ladies who would love to start or complete a degree, but family/work commitments have prevented it. With online education, there is so much flexibility, almost anyone can fit it into her schedule. Courses can be done entirely at home, day or night, when you feel like it, not when the school does! 

CyberSem’s new semester for digital classroom courses begins on January 1, 2017.

Who can refuse a cupcake? (Not many of us, right?) Now, imagine receiving one decorated with a Swastika! It’s hard to believe, but this actually happened to a 14-year-old birthday girl in Phoenix. To make matters worse, the perpetrators were “friends” of hers who’d been invited to the party and proudly uploaded their despicable creation to Snapchat.

Just looking at the cupcake makes me feel violently ill. It belongs in the trash since that’s what it is! While I probably wouldn’t have dealt with it the same way this mother chose to (Facebook rant), I am glad that the media picked the story up and that it’s gone viral.

Incidents like these need to be exposed. Yes, teens make mistakes and we’ll never know for sure what the motive was. Regardless, we have to teach youngsters that this type of hateful behavior is never okay!

Madagascar, a tiny island off the coast of Africa, is home to the world’s newest Jewish community. 

Those of us who are history buffs will recall the numerous proposals to make Madagascar a Jewish homeland before the creation of modern Israel. Instead of forcibly relocating or willingly enticing Jews, this group of pioneers are all converts. How’s that for unexpected! 

I’m curious to see how ritual life will develop in an isolated country where no one’s ever been exposed to any of the Jewish traditions, holidays, customs, and foods that the rest of us consider second nature. At the very least, it’s an interesting sociological experiment and if the community actually thrives and grows, how amazing would that be! I say the more the merrier and wish them all the best.

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