Educational Resources for Sukkot

Hi Everyone!

Sukkot is the Jewish holiday that commemorates how protective "Clouds of Glory" surrounded the Jewish people after leaving Egypt during the forty years of wandering in the desert. It also commemorates how the Jews lived in temporary dwellings during that same time.
Sukkot begins Friday night, October 2, 2009.


The Jewish Trivia Quiz
http://www.jewish-trivia.com
has 35 multiple choice questions about Sukkot.

What is the Hebrew date of the first day of Sukkot ?
What is another name for the Sukkot holiday ?
What does Sukkot commemorate ?
What is the minimum area of a Sukkah as defined in the Talmud ?
What is the maximum height of a Sukkah ?
What does the Aramaic word "Ushpizin" mean ?
Who gets called to the Torah reading on Simchat Torah ?

The above questions are examples from the multiple choice Flash quiz. There are two levels of questions, two timer settings.Both kids and adults will find it enjoyable.

Free Sukkot Clipart
http://www.jewish-clipart.com

Whether you need a picture for your child's class project, a graphic for your synagogue, Hillel or JCC Sukkot announcement, the Jewish Clipart Database has the pictures for you. You can copy, save and print the graphics in three different sizes.

Sukkot Cool Videos
http://www.jr.co.il/videos/sukkot-videos.htm

I created a list of 24 cool Sukkot video links.
There is something for everyone.

The list includes:
Sukkot Preparations
Speed Sukkah
The Sukkot Shake (in Jerusalem)
Big Etrog
13 reasons to build a Sukkah
Learn How to Make A Lulav Ring In 25 Seconds
Chabad UCSB Lulav Shake
Frumsatire: Sukkos Thoughts
Shlomo Carlebach - Hoshana Raba
Ushpizin - movie trailer
Sukkot in Israel
and many others.....

To learn more about Sukkot, I posted on my website 62 site links, ranging from from laws and customs to games and recipes. Site languages include English, Hebrew, Russian, Spanish, French, Portuguese, German and Italian.

All 62 links have been reviewed / checked this week.
The web address is:

http://www.jr.co.il/hotsites/j-hdaysu.htm

Please forward this message to relatives and friends, so they may benefit from these holiday resources.

Enjoy!
Happy Sukkot!
Jacob

Benjamin Netanyahu United Nations Speech

Hi Everyone!

On Thursday, September 24, 2009, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave a speech to the United Nations General Assembly.

The speech was excellent and I think it is very important that everyone should watch and/or read it.

I posted online links to the 3 part video of the speech and the transcript at:
http://www.jr.co.il/articles/pm-netanyahus-speech-at-the-un-general-assembly.htm

I also created a short address for the page at:
http://bit.ly/netanyahu-speech

Please share the page with everyone. Thanks!

Shabbat Shalom,
Jacob

2000 Year Old Mikveh Discovered Near Western Wall

Hi Everyone!

A large and impressive mikveh (ritual bath) from the end of the Second Temple period was recently uncovered in archaeological excavations that the Israel Antiquities Authority is carrying out in the Western Wall tunnels.


I posted photos of the discovery at:

http://www.jr.co.il/pictures/israel/things/2000-year-old-mikveh.htm

Shana Tova and G'mar Hatimah Tova,
Jacob

The Jewish Holiday Calendar Card (magnet version)

Hi Everyone!

Tomorrow morning, my Jewish Holiday Calendar Card (magnet version) will be available, for free, at these locations:

In Ma'ale Adumim:

Nusach Achid shul (Klei Shir)
Mussar Avicha shul (Klei Shir)
Maalot David shul (Mitzpe Nevo)
The "Up" shul (Mitzpe Nevo)
Chalav Udvash - health food store (Kikar Yahalom)

In Jerusalem:
AACI - 11 Pinsker Street

In Tel-Aviv:
AACI Central - 76 Ibn Gvirol

I also dropped off today, a small quantity, at the front desk of the OU Israel Center - 22 Keren HaYesod, Jerusalem



If you do not live in these areas, you can still print the online version (minus the magnet) located at:
http://www.jr.co.il/calendar.htm

Chag Sameach!
Shana Tova!
Jacob

Photos of the Jewish Bloggers Convention

Hi Everyone!

Today, September 13, 2009, I participated in the International Jewish Bloggers Convention in Jerusalem. It was great seeing in person all the people I met on the Internet.

I posted 178 photos of the convention online at:
http://www.jr.co.il/pictures/israel/jerusalem/2009/jer222.htm

The 178 photos have, also, been uploaded to Facebook for name tagging. You can access the Facebook album at:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=120645&id=553691548

At the convention I gave a workshop about marketing on Facebook. For those that missed it, the presentation is available online at:
http://www.jr.co.il/articles/jacob/index.html

Enjoy the photos and presentation.

Shana Tova,
Jacob

Bar-Kochba Rebellion Treasures

Hi Everyone!

The largest-ever known number of coins from the time of Bar Kochba, the Jewish leader against Roman invaders, has been discovered in the Judean Hills by cave researchers from Hebrew and Bar-Ilan universities.

The research team found three batches of bronze, silver and gold coins (total of 120 coins) in a deep cavern in a nature reserve. Pottery and weapons also were discovered.

The cavern was used as a hiding place for Jewish rebels during the Bar Kochba rebellion over 1,900 years ago.

I posted photos of the discovery at:
www.jr.co.il/pictures/israel/things/bar-kochba-rebellion-treasures.htm

Have a good day,
Jacob

Welcome Home to the New Olim (and 307 photos)

Hi Everyone!

On Tuesday morning, September 8, 2009, I was at Ben-Gurion airport to greet the new olim that made aliyah from North America to Israel.

There were 204 olim on the flight including 81 singles.

I took 307 photos of the exciting event and posted them online at:
http://www.jr.co.il/pictures/israel/history/2009/a535.htm

During the welcoming ceremony there was an unexpected marriage proposal. See photos 7192-7201

The 307 photos have, also, been uploaded to Facebook for name tagging. There are two sets of photos and you can access the albums via:
http://www.facebook.com/jacobrichman?v=photos

If you have a Facebook account, and you are in the photos, or see someone you know, please feel free to name tag the photos.

May the aliyah from all over of the world grow and bring more Jews back to their homeland, Eretz Yisrael.

Have a good day,
and Shana Tova,
Jacob

Photos of the Mevaseret Adumim (E1) Groundbreaking Ceremony

Hi Everyone!

Today, September 7, 2009, I attended the groundbreaking cemermony for Mevaseret Adumim. Hundreds of people, including ministers, MKs and Yesha Council heads attended the historical event.

I took photos and posted them online at:
http://www.jr.co.il/ma/pic/2009/ma396.htm

Have a good night,
Jacob

Rosh Hashana Stickers on Facebook

Hi Everyone!

I added a group of Rosh Hashana stickers to my Facebook application "Send Jewish Stickers"

http://apps.facebook.com/jewish-stickers/

This is a unique, free application to wish all your Facebook friends a Shana Tova.

Feedback is welcome!

Shavua Tov,
Jacob

Trivia Quiz, Educational Resources and Cool Videos for the Jewish New Year

Hi Everyone!

Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year 5770,
begins Friday night, September 18, 2009.

The Jewish Trivia Quiz
http://www.jewish-trivia.com
has 55 multiple choice questions about Rosh Hashana.

Which special prayer is said in the days before Rosh Hashana ?
Which group of foods is customary to eat on Rosh Hashana ?
What are the other three names of Rosh Hashana ?
How many times is the shofar sounded during Rosh Hashana ?
Which food is customary NOT to eat on Rosh Hashana ?

The above questions are examples from the multiple choice Flash quiz. There are two levels of questions and two timer settings. Adults and children will find The Jewish Trivia Quiz entertaining and educational.

Rosh Hashana Clipart
http://www.j.co.il
Whether you need a picture for your child's class project, a graphic for your synagogue, Hillel or JCC New Year announcement, the Jewish Clipart Database has the pictures for you. You can copy, save and print the graphics in three different sizes.

Rosh Hashana Cool Videos
http://www.jr.co.il/videos/rosh-hashana-videos.htm
I created a list of 84 cool Rosh HaShana videos.
There is something for everyone.

The list includes:
Shana tova! Ma chadash, Tapuach Im Dvash Animation
Shana Tova (Hebrew remix of muppets song)
The Four Traditional Shofar Blasts
Rosh Hashanah Girl
Shana Tova from Tijuana
Rosh Hashana: Sticky 'n Sweet New Year
Happy New Year for Jewish Mothers
Head of the Year (Rosh HaShana Mix)
Rosh Hashana Rap
Prepare for Rosh Hashanah-Elul JewU
WebYeshiva: Blowing the Shofar in Elul
Rosh HaShana Foods - Sephardi style
Shana Tova Song - Parpar Nechmad (with Ofra Haza)
Bashana Haba'ah - Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme
Bashana Haba'a in Yiddish
The Alexandria Kleztet - Bashana Haba'a (from Chile)
Kol Ish - BaShana HaBa'ah
and many more.....

To learn more about Rosh Hashana , I posted on my website 84 links ranging from laws and customs to games and recipes. Site languages include English, Hebrew, French, German, Italian, Portugese, Russian and Spanish. All 84 links have been reviewed / checked this week.
http://www.jr.co.il/hotsites/j-hdayrh.htm

Last but not least, the revised 3 Year Jewish Holiday Calendar is located at:
http://www.jr.co.il/calendar.htm

For best printed results use the Acrobat PDF file. When printing the PDF file use the print option "fit to print margins".

Please share this message with your friends and relatives.
Thanks!

Enjoy!
Shana Tova - Have a Good Year!
Jacob