Being Jewish | Hadassah Magazine

Community + Faith

Being Jewish
I Forgive a Country
For professor and writer Melisa Cahnmann-Taylor, reclaiming German citizenship almost 90 years after her grandfather fled Munich has helped her come to terms with her family’s past.

For professor and writer Melisa Cahnmann-Taylor, reclaiming German citizenship almost 90 years after her grandfather fled Munich has helped her come to terms with her
Being Jewish
The Last Generation of Holocaust Survivors
Five women who survived the Shoah as children share their harrowing stories, their resilience and their fear that ‘history is repeating itself.’

Five women who survived the Shoah as children share their harrowing stories, their resilience and their fear that ‘history is repeating itself.’
Books
‘On Being Jewish Now’ at Full Volume
‘I am a Jewish author who refuses to remain silent. ‘Loud and proud’ is the new ‘Never again.’

‘I am a Jewish author who refuses to remain silent. ‘Loud and proud’ is the new ‘Never again.’
Being Jewish
Ramping up—and Rethinking— Israel Education
Jewish day schools in the United States tackle the impact of October 7 in the classroom.

Jewish day schools in the United States tackle the impact of October 7 in the classroom.
Being Jewish
‘Let There Be Light’ Feels More Urgent Than Ever
‘I can’t think of a declaration more intrepid or poignant for the first painful anniversary of October 7,’ writes Abigail Pogrebin.

‘I can’t think of a declaration more intrepid or poignant for the first painful anniversary of October 7,’ writes Abigail Pogrebin.
Being Jewish
Time for a Reassessment Among Jewish Americans
“If antisemitism is a fact, then what can we do about it?,” Rabbi Diana Fresko writes. “Historically, there are three options: Stay and fight, leave and rebuild, or do nothing.”

“If antisemitism is a fact, then what can we do about it?,” Rabbi Diana Fresko writes. “Historically, there are three options: Stay and fight, leave
Being Jewish
Israel’s Other Secret Weapon
Israel’s secret weapon, Golda Meir once said, is that “we have no place else to go.” But there’s another tool in our arsenal: community.

Israel’s secret weapon, Golda Meir once said, is that “we have no place else to go.” But there’s another tool in our arsenal: community.
Being Jewish
Jewish Girls Make the Grade
Girls are reaching new levels of academic success, in the process surpassing boys in earning undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Girls are reaching new levels of academic success, in the process surpassing boys in earning undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Marching Toward Liberation

by Lizz Goldstein

Passover reminds us to fight oppression, perhaps because spiritually speaking, we are still in the wilderness, not yet fully liberated.

Was Moses an Introvert? And Other Seder Questions

by Marla Brown Fogelman

What is the impact of personality traits on Jewish leadership?

The Shiva Dress: When Mourning Comes

by Michele Chabin

Preparing a shiva outfit for after my father passed away proved no simple task. It required thought and reflection.

The Relevance of Celebrating Tu B’Shevat

by Paula Maccabee

For those of us who live in the northern hemisphere, the Jewish arbor day falls during the depths of winter, making the holiday seem misplaced.

Being Jewish
Holidays

Learning To Take a ‘Soulfie’ at Hanukkah

Hanukkah is a perfect time to access the light within—to take a 'soulfie.'

Heeding the Wake-up Call of Our Tradition

by Yaffa Epstein

The shofar serves as a prompt to heal our hearts.

Being Jewish
Holidays

Embracing Simhat Torah—Again

by Merrill Silver

A serendipitous visit to an aging synagogue helped one woman recover the joy of the holiday.

Being Jewish
Holidays

On Tisha B’Av, Remembering Divisions That Destroy

In Israel and the United States, the greatest threat Jews face is the tendency to create divisions and look at brothers and sisters as others.