Updated: Chanukah Educational Hotsites and 1,044 Videos

 Hi Everyone!

Here are the latest additions to the Chanukah Educational Resources at:

https://jr.co.il/hotsites/chanukah.htm

- Philo-Torah - Chanuka File by Phil Chernofsky - pdf, 24 pages

- HaMizrachi Magazine: Chanukah 5781 - pdf, 64 pages

- Torah Tidbits: 1398 - Vayeishev  - pdf, 80 pages

- Rabbi Sacks z"l: Chanukah - Ceremony & Celebration: Family Edition

- Ohrnet: Vayishlach including Chanukah Q&A - pdf, 22 pages

- YU Torah: Chanukah To-Go - pdf, 48 pages

- YU Torah: Chanukah Audio Shiurim

New videos added to Chanukah Videos on Youtube:

 https://jr.co.il/videos/chanukah-videos.htm

- Six13 - Arianukah - An Ariana Grande Chanukah

- The Maccabeats - Candlelight 2020 - Hanukkah

- Kippalive & Beit Issie Shapiro: Be A Light

- Shir Soul: On Chanukkah - a Stevie Wonder Chanukkah 2020 holiday mash-up

- Itzik Eshel - Hanukkah Medley 

- Azi Schwartz - Hanukkah like you’ve never heard before!

- Hanukkah Medley - Hasidic, Yiddish

- Easy Hanukkah Crafts for Kids

- Beit Midrash Rauta: "Maoz Tzur" - Hebrew

- Tizmoret A Cappella: "Al Hanissim" - Hebrew, m&f 

- Izhar Shabi: "Al Hanissim" - Hebrew

- Srutonim: The Annoying Swab from the Menorah - Hebrew Humor

- Barnert Temple - Chanukah Parody  - f

- "Michal Haketana" - Chanukah Medley - Hebrew, f

- Disney: Daveed Diggs - Puppy for Hanukkah

- Rabbi Sacks z"l on Chanukah & Jewish outreach

- Shabbat Chanukah Revisited - Rabbi Shlomo Riskin

- My First Chanukah - Rochester School for the Deaf

Chanukah Photo Gallery

https://jr.co.il/hotsites/chanukah-photos.htm

- Chanukah products and displays in different stores

Chanukah Resources Reminders:

The Chanukah Map - Sites of the Maccabees 166-161 BCE

https://jr.co.il/t/chanukah-map/index.html

English / Hebrew Chanukah Vocabulary

https://english-hebrew-dictionary.com/chanukah-1.htm

Only in Israel: Israeli Chanukah Logos and Posters

https://jr.co.il/only-in-israel/israeli-chanukah-logos-and-posters.htm

The Chanukah Humor Pages

https://jr.co.il/humor/chanuka.htm

Enjoy!

Please share. Thank You!

Happy Chanukah!

Chanukah Sameach!

Jacob Richman

jrichman@jr.co.il

Updated: Chanukah Photos, Humor and Videos

Hi Everyone! 

Here are the latest additions to the Chanukah pages: 

 Chanukah Photo Gallery - Kinder, Mentos, M&Ms, Sufganiyot https://jr.co.il/hotsites/chanukah-photos.htm 

 Chanukah Humor Pages https://jr.co.il/humor/chanuka.htm 

- Current Financial Status - Yarmulkatz Band Candle Holder 

- The Orange Tabby Cat Chanukiyah 

- May The Wifi Last For All 8 Nights 

- Chanukiya 2020 

- If 2020 was a Sufganiya 

 1,005 Chanukah Videos on YouTube 

https://jr.co.il/videos/chanukah-videos.htm 

 2020 video additions: 

 - DoReMi: Chanukah Songs for Kids 

 - Jerusalem Boy's Choir - Chanukah Medley 

 - Evanston Symphony Orchestra - A Chanukah Overture 

- My Jewish Mommy Life: Celebrating Hanukkah at Home 2020 

- What is Maoz Tzur? Eliav Friedman - Chanukah 2020 

- Ofrah and Eidan: Chanukah Medley 

 - Frum It Up: Hanukkah Decorations 

- Frum It Up: Hanukkah Treats 2020 

- Mora Tsipi: Two Stories by Yael Setat 

- The Magical Kitchen: Crisp Chanukah Latkes 

 - Piano Tutorial - Chanukah Songs 

- Music with Mr. Ari: Chanukah, Oh Chanukah 

- Aish Ignite Pittsburgh: Why Do We Spin the Dreidel on Chanukah? 

- Simple and Tasty with Michal: Making Sufganiyot without a mixer 

 - Rami Levy Supermakets: Chanukah Sales 

- How To Make Delicious Latkes For Hanukkah 

 - The Maccabean Revolt - Jewish History Lab 

- Ocho Kandelikas - Isaac Zones - Ladino 

- The BrickTorah Chanukah Story 

 Enjoy! 

Please Share. Thank You! 

 Stay safe and healthy. 

Have a good night, 

Jacob

My New Website: Hear Words - Pronunciation of Hebrew and English Words

Hi Everyone! I created a new website on pronunciation of Hebrew and English words. The high quality audio was produced in a recording studio with two professional readers. There are 14 topics with 210 words. The audio controls are very simple and any browser that supports HTML 5 audio can be used to hear the words. The site address is: https://hear-words.com/index.html Feedback is welcome. Please share. Thank you! Stay safe and have a good night, Jacob Richman jrichman@jr.co.il

Hebrew Greetings and Phrases

Hi Everyone!

I created a page with 60 Hebrew Greetings and Phrases images
from JR Stickers.
https://jr.co.il/stickers/hebrew-greetings-and-phrases.htm

Enjoy!

Stay Safe and Have a Good Week,
Shavua Tov,
Jacob

Educational Resources about Tisha B'Av

Shalom.

Tisha B'Av is the saddest day on the Jewish calendar because
of the incredible series of tragedies which occurred on that
date throughout Jewish History.

Tisha B'Av means "the ninth of the Hebrew month of Av".
Tisha B'Av primarily commemorates the destruction of the first
and second Temples, both of which were destroyed on the ninth
of Av - the first by the Babylonians in 586 B.C.E.; the second
by the Romans in 70 C.E.

Although this day is primarily meant to commemorate the
destruction of the Temple, it is appropriate to consider on
this day the many other tragedies of the Jewish people, many
of which occurred on this day, most notably the expulsion of
the Jews from Spain in 1492.

This year 5780 - 2020, we observe the fast day of Tisha B'Av
starting from Wednesday after nightfall, July 29,
until nightfall on Thursday, July 30.
You can learn more about this Jewish fast day at:
https://jr.co.il/hotsites/tisha-b-av.htm

May we see the rebuilding of the Temple in our days and that
Tisha B'Av becomes a day of celebration.

If you are fasting:
Have a meaningful fast.

Jacob

43 Lag Ba'Omer Cakes from the around Net. Lag Ba'Omer Sameach!

Lag Ba'Omer 5780: There may not be bonfires and there
may not be parades, but I do declare: there will be first haircuts
and there will be Lag Ba'Omer Cakes!

43 Lag Ba'Omer Cakes from the around Net.
https://jr.co.il/humor/jewish-34.htm

Enjoy!

Lag Ba'Omer Sameach!
Jacob Richman
jrichman@jr.co.il

Educational Resources and Cool Videos for Israel Independence Day

Hi Everyone!

Israel Independence Day is celebrated this year
on Wednesday, April 29, 2020.
All the resources and links below are located online at:
https://jr.co.il/hotsites/israel-resources.htm

The Jewish Trivia Quiz - topic: Israel
https://jewish-trivia.com

What is the national emblem of Israel ?
"Pehsek Zeman" and "Egozi" are what type of Israeli foods ?
Who was the first president of Israel ?
What was the 1917 British Balfour Declaration ?
What is Israel's Internet country code ?
What was "Operation Babylon" ?
Who were the first two countries to recognize Israel ?
What are Amos and Offeq ?
How many languages are engraved on Israeli coins used today ?

The above questions are examples from over 200 multiple-choice
questions about Israel. There are two levels of questions, two timer settings.
Both kids and adults will find it entertaining and educational.

English Hebrew Israel vocabulary study sheets.
Learn Hebrew words related to Israel Independence Day.
https://english-hebrew-dictionary.com/israel-1.htm

Free Israel Clipart
https://jewish-clipart.com

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

Prayers for the welfare of the State of Israel and
for members of the IDF.
https://jr.co.il/prayers/index.html
I included the Hebrew prayers with nikud and English translations.

Israel Videos on YouTube
https://jr.co.il/videos/israel-videos.htm
There are now over 690 videos about Israel on the site.
There is something for everyone.
Additional new videos will be added this week.
Enjoy!

Israeli and Hebrew songs.

Jacob Richman's Spotify Hebrew Songs Playlist
http://bit.ly/spotify-jrichman-hebrew

60 Popular Hebrew Songs on Youtube
https://jr.co.il/hotsites/hebrew.htm#Hebrew-Songs-Youtube

The "Hatikvah" Page
https://jr.co.il/hatikva.htm
includes 15 unique videos of Hatikva

The "Hava Nagila" Page
https://jr.co.il/hava-nagila.htm
Hebrew lyrics and English translation
13 unique "Hava Nagila" videos including:
- Danny Kaye & Harry Belafonte sing "Hava Nagila" in 1965
- Bob Dylan accompanies son-in-law Peter Himmelman and
Harry Dean Stanton on Telethon
- Gad Elbaz
- The Barry Sisters
- Taly Kuper sings "Hava Nagila" on Russian talent show

Over 100 Videos of "Adon Olam"
https://jr.co.il/videos/adon-olam.htm
The page includes lyrics in Hebrew with Nikud
and an English translation.
Over 100 melodies to this well know prayer / song.

Last but not least, I posted on my website 140 links
about Israel, ranging from history and tourism to
photographs and stamps.
The address is:
https://jr.co.il/hotsites/israel-resources.htm

Please forward this message. Thank You!

Shabbat Shalom and Chodesh Tov!
Jacob

New Israeli Educational Stamps including Concentration Camps’ Liberation - 75 Years

Hi Everyone!

I posted online images of the new Israeli stamps issued
in April 2020. Under each stamp is a link to a
Hebrew / English PDF file with information about the stamp.

- Concentration Camps’ Liberation - 75 Years

- Memorial Day 2020 - Haganah Organization Centennial

Bees in Israel
- The Western Honey Bee - Apis mellifera
- The Large Earth Bumble Bee - Bombus terrestris
- Hairy-footed Digger Bee - Anthophora plumipes

- Good Luck

- Mikve Israel - 150 Years

The new stamp images are posted at:
https://jr.co.il/stamps/index-2020.html

In a Facebook album at:
http://bit.ly/fb-israeli-stamps-2020

Selected images on Instagram at:
https://instagram.com/jrichman2003/

Please share. Thank You!

Shabbat Shalom,
Jacob Richman
jrichman@jr.co.il

Passover Resources Update

Hi Everyone!

Here are the latest updates to the Passover resources.

My Playlist of 172 Passover Songs on Spotify
http://bit.ly/spotify-jrichman-passover

Passover Videos
https://jr.co.il/videos/passover-videos.htm
Over 670 Videos including 43 new ones for 2020 - 5780

Passover Hotsites
https://jr.co.il/hotsites/passover.htm

I added links to:
- Torah Tidbits TT 1366 - PDF
- Torah Tidbits - Seder of the Seder - PDF
- Torah Tidbits - 5780 Omer Chart - 2 page PDF
- Ohrnet Pessach Issue - PDF
- HaMizrachi Torah-based Magazine: Passover Edition - PDF
- Pardes: Elmad: An Interactive Seder Experience - PDF
- Areyvut Pesach Resources - PDF
- OU Guide to Passover 5780 / 2020 - PDF, 116 pages
- Products Kosher when Bearing an OU-P - PDF, 31 pages
- OU Certified Products That DO NOT Require OU-P - PDF, 12 pages
- Non-Food Items and Guidelines for Medicine (PDF, 1 pages)
- Israel Ministry of Health: Suggestions for good nutrition
during Pesach - Hebrew
- Meuchedet: Kosher for Pesach Medicine List - 2020, English / Hebrew,
20 page PDF
- Clalit: Kosher for Pesach Medicine List - 2020, English / Hebrew, 22 page PDF
- Star-K: The Halachos Of Taking Medication On Pesach
- Star-K: 2020 Pet Food List - PDF
- STAR-K Product Directory 2020 - PDF, 16 pages)

- Jerusalem Machine Matzah Bakery,
a 2013 photo essay by photographer and filmmaker Judah S. Harris

Passover Humor
https://jr.co.il/humor/passover.htm
- Dr. Seuss and Social Distancing during Pesach
- Corona Virus Haggadah

- Passover and the Corona Virus
https://jr.co.il/humor/pass162.htm
Page 162 includes:
63 cartoons / memes
20 Humor videos - includes English and Hebrew song parodies
18 Inspirational videos - English and Hebrew

Enjoy!

Please share. Thank You!

May everyone have a safe, healthy, kosher and happy Passover.
Chag Pesach Sameach!
Jacob

Photos of Purim in Jerusalem

Hi Everyone!

Today, Wednesday March 11, was Purim in Jerusalem.
I took a bus to Jerusalem and then the light rail to Yaffo Street.
Most of the the photos I took were on Ben Yehuda Street.
I posted the photos online at:
https://jr.co.il/jerusalem/2020/jer657.htm

I also upload the photos to a Facebook album at:
http://bit.ly/facebook-purim-jerusalem-2020

Enjoy the photos.
Please share. Thank you!

Have a good night,
Jacob

Haod Avi Chai - The Short Vort Haggadah by David Goodman

Hi Everyone!

For the past 8 years, I have been going to my friends, the Goodmans, for Pesach Seder. During the seder, David Goodman, would give short
vorts about the Haggadah. It reminds me of how my mother a"h, who was a Hebrew teacher in Brooklyn, would also give explanations during the seder.

David has published a Haggadah called "Haod Avi Chai" with over 450 short vorts about the Haggadah. I highly recommend it. You can see additional details about the book and ordering information at:
https://haod-avi-chai.co.il/index.html

Enjoy the new Haggadah and consider getting a copy to give as a Passover gift.

Have a good night,
Jacob Richman
jrichman@jr.co.il

In memory of my mother

Today, the 5th of Adar, is my mother's 7th yahrzeit.

Please put a few coins in any charity box in memory of:
Hennia Rachel Bat Shmuel Moonie
Thank you!

You can read an article I wrote in memory of my mother at:
https://jr.co.il/richman/in-memory-of-my-mother.htm

May her memory be for a blessing.

Shavua Tov,
Jacob

37 Free and Useful Android Applications

Hi Everyone!

Android is a mobile operating system developed by Google. It is installed on smartphones and tablets. There are also PC programs that can emulate Android and let you run Android on a regular Windows PC. My Samsung cellphone uses the Android operating system.

There are close to 3 million smartphone apps in the Google store. This includes thousands of free Android applications that you can
download, install and use for free. How do you find out what is good?
I compiled a list of 37 free and useful applications that I recommend. Several of the programs are supported by ads and some have ad-free paid versions. After each application description is a link to its download page.
Note to Apple users: Many of these applications are also
available for Apple iOS devices.
I am not connected or know any of the developers / owners.
There are no affiliate links or advertising on the page.

The app list:
https://jr.co.il/training/free-android-applications.htm

Below are examples of 10 apps from my list:

Pricez:

Israeli food price comparison application including barcode scanner.
The application is written in Hebrew but it is very easy to use.
If you do not know Hebrew, let a friend just install it for you.
The application lets you easily scan in the barcodes of the
food packages in your kitchen and you can add each item to
your shopping list. You can check the price range of each product
and see which supermarkets near you are the cheapest per item
or the whole shopping list.

Moovit:

Moovit is a public transit app and mapping service which features
trip planning, live arrival and departure times, up-to-date line schedules, local station maps, service alerts, and advisories that may affect one's current trip. I use the application all the time when I travel by bus.

My MDA:

Magen David Adom, Israel's national emergency medical response service,
has released a sophisticated mobile app that significantly streamlines the process of locating and reaching Israelis in distress. Available in the
Google and Apple app stores in Israel only, My MDA lets users press
a button to contact EMTs and paramedics operating MDA dispatch centers. Information such as the caller's location and your medical record which
you can add when installing, is securely transmitted and displayed to the dispatcher.

Police 100:

One button to contact Israeli police emergency 100.
Your location is also sent to them at the same time.

GraveZ:

Search for deceased in Israel - fill in the deceased's information
and it will help you narrow the search results according to range of
year of passing and cemetery region. The interface is in English
This free service includes details about the deceased, a photo of
the gravesite, a map with instructions, a bookmark/favorites list
and you can share links with friends and family including direct links
that work in conjunction with the app. Your relatives do not need
the smartphone app to visit the website.
I discovered this app yesterday, found my parents z"l gravesites and
sent links of the info via Whatsapp. I am very impressed with
the program, features and clean interface.

VLC:

VLC media player is a free and open source cross-platform
multimedia player can play any video and audio files, as well as
network streams. VLC is intended for everyone, is totally free,
has no ads, no in-app-purchases, no spying and is developed
by passionate volunteers.
It is one of the best music / video players. The player has
many features including playlists. I have used VLC for many
years on my Windows home computer and I use the Android
version on my Samsung Smartphone.

Rlive:

Rlive allows you to quickly listen to Live Radio Stations from Israel
and from around the world. The connections are done via the Internet
so there is no need for earphone Antenea.
Rlive is also available via your PC web browser without the app.

Speedtest by Ookla:

Internet speed and performance test

Morfix:

Comprehensive and accurate English Hebrew and
Hebrew English dictionary and translation free app.

Sefaria:

Sefaria delivers 3,000 years of Jewish texts - Torah, Tanakh,
Mishnah, Talmud, and more) to your smartphone. All texts in
the library are available in Hebrew along with a growing body
of English translations. Search by keyword or browse the
table of contents to explore texts, translations, and commentaries.

The 37 free and useful applications, descriptions and links are posted at:
https://jr.co.il/training/free-android-applications.htm

Feedback is welcome.

If there is a free, useful app that you use, recommend, and
is not listed, please send me the app name and link and
I will consider it for a future update.

Please share. Many of your friends and relatives will appreciate
learning about these useful apps.
Thank you!

Shabbat Shalom,
Jacob Richman
jrichman@jr.co.il

Educational and Fun Resources for Tu B'Shvat

Hi Everyone!

Tu B'Shvat, the New Year for Trees, falls on the 15th of the
Hebrew month of Shvat, February 10 this year - 5780 / 2020.
This Jewish mini-holiday is of major importance to our
appreciation of nature and our relationship to it.
It is customary to plant trees and partake of the fruits of
the land of Israel to mark the occasion.

The Jewish Trivia Quiz: Tu B'Shvat
https://jewish-trivia.com

Which fruit is used to make wine ?
When did Kabbalists originate the Tu B'shvat Seder ?
How many glasses of wine are drunk at the Tu B'Shvat seder ?
What branch of a tree did the dove bring back after the flood ?
How many days does the Hebrew month of Shvat have ?
What is associated with both Chanukah and Tu B'Shvat ?
In Israel, what happens to trees starting on the 15th of Shvat ?
Since 1901, how many trees has the Jewish National Fund
planted in Israel ?
According to the Torah, which fruits did the spies bring to the
children of Israel in the wilderness ?

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

My English Hebrew Dictionary - Tu B'Shvat Vocabulary Study Sheets
100 Tu B'Shvat related words
https://english-hebrew-dictionary.com/tu-bshvat-1.htm

Free Tu B'Shvat Clipart
https://jewish-clipart.com

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

Tu B'Shvat Photo Gallery
https://jr.co.il/hotsites/tu-b-shvat-photos.htm

73 Cool Tu B'Shvat Videos
https://jr.co.il/videos/tu-bshvat-videos.htm

To learn more about Tu B'Shvat, I posted on my website
80 links about Tu B'Shvat, ranging from Tu B'Shvat Seders and
customs to graphics and recipes. Site languages include
English, Hebrew, Russian, Spanish, French,
Portuguese and German.

The web address is:
https://jr.co.il/hotsites/tu-b-shvat.htm

Enjoy!

Please share. Thank You!

Have a good day,
Jacob Richman
jrichman@jr.co.il

New Israeli Educational Stamps

Hi Everyone!

I posted online images of the new Israeli stamps that will be
issued in February 2020. Under each stamp is a link to
a Hebrew / English PDF file with information about the stamp.

- Rabbi Azriel Hildesheimer
- Rose - Doar 24
- Keren Hayesod - UIA Centennial
- Cmyk Color Printing
- Ben-Gurion University Of The Negev - 50 Years
- The New Histadrut Centennial

The new stamp images are posted at:
https://jr.co.il/stamps/index-2020.html

In a Facebook album at:
http://bit.ly/fb-israeli-stamps-2020

On Instagram at:
https://instagram.com/jrichman2003/

Please share. Thank You!

Shabbat Shalom,
Jacob

Only in Israel - Learn Hebrew Words from Milk Cartons

Hi Everyone!

Israel marks Hebrew Language Day every year on the birthday of Eliezer Ben Yehuda, the father of modern spoken Hebrew.
This year, the Hebrew date, 21st of Tevet, falls on January 18, 2020 - Shabbat. Activities throughout Israel will take place on Thursday, January 16, 2020.

In Honor of Hebrew Language Day, The Academy of the Hebrew Language, together with Tnuva, printed groups of Hebrew words on the side of milk cartons.

Tonight, I went to my local supermarket and took photos of the milk cartons.
I posted them online at:
https://jr.co.il/only-in-israel/learning-hebrew-words-from-milk-cartons.htm
Enjoy the photos.
Please share. Thank you!
Have a good night,
Jacob