David SchwartzDavid Schwartz
Director of Education at Temple Har Zion
Chicago, IL•Lancaster Jewish Day School•Camp Ramah Darom•Spertus Institute of Jewish Leadership•
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The Tower of Babel: A 2-Act Story494 Views•October 19, 2023•Stories•Languages,Generation of the Dispersion,Tower of Babel,Babel,Readers Theatre,Sanctity of Human Life
The Story of Matzah299 Views•April 16, 2024•Holidays•Ha Lachma,Maggid,Matzoh,Magid,Pesach,Sacrifices,Holidays,Afikomen,Laws of Leavened Foods,Tzafun,Gluten-Free,Rabban Gamliel,Matzo,Sodom,Hillel Sandwich,Laws of Matzah,Chaggim,Lot,Ha Lachma Anya,Hagadah,Korech,Haggadah,Chametz,Matzah,Passover,Seder,Leaven,Koreich,Yachatz,Laws of Betrothal,Leavened Grain Products,Laws of the Passover Night Seder
Purim and the Journey to Oblivion: Is Inebriation Really a Mitzvah?2060 Views•January 19, 2021•Holidays•Drunk,Drinking,Alcohol,Alcoholism,Mordechai,Laws of Purim,Haman,Purim
Hashkiveinu: Questions, Context, Music3393 Views•October 13, 2020•Liturgy•Hashkiveinu,Liturgy,Prayer,Music,Social Justice,Arvit,Tefila,Ma’ariv
Apples and Honey in the Bible1048 Views•August 22, 2023•Holidays•Adam and Eve,Apples and Honey,Honey,Apples,Eliana Light,Rosh Hashanah
Adoption and the Conversion of Children120 Views•February 4, 2025•Jewish Living•Mikveh,Moses,Brit Milah,Mordechai,Esther,Michal,Conversion,Brit,Bris,Pharaoh’s Daughter,Adoption
Rules of the Sh’va96 Views•February 18, 2025•Jewish Living•Biblical Hebrew,Vowels,Hebrew,Sheva,Sh’va,The Hebrew Language,Shva
Pirkei Avot Ch. 5 - with Bios1921 Views•May 28, 2020•Pirkei Avot•Talking Donkey,Yishmael,Tests of Abraham,Ishmael,Abraham and Abimelech,Red Sea,Hillel and Shammai,Spies,Sodom,Circumcision,Complaints in the Desert,Abraham and Hagar,Donkey,Korach,Tamar,Rabbi Judah Ben Tema,Demons,Ben Bag Bag,Ram,Manna,Well in the Desert,Abraham in Ur Kasdim and His Departure From There,Tongs,Moses's Death,Quail,Sarah,Abraham and the Kings,Golden Calf,Reed Sea,Amnon,David and Jonathan,Akeida,Bartenura,Famine,Splitting of the Red Sea,Grumbling,Abraham and Lot,Mouth of the Earth,Jeroboam,Shamir,Famine in Egypt,Abraham,Pirkei Avot,Moses' Staff,Abraham and Sarah,Ben Hei Hei,Balaam's Donkey,Abraham in Egypt,Complaints,Binding of Isaac,Rainbow,Tablets
Few and Terrible Have Been My Years: Thoughts on Aging156 Views•January 3, 2025•Jewish Living•Joseph in Egypt,Jacob,Senior Citizens,Aging,Parashat Vayigash,Old Age
What’s Up With the Minor Fast Days?2628 Views•June 14, 2021•Holidays•Humor,Fast of Esther,Taanit,Destruction of the First Temple,Destruction of Jerusalem,Destruction of the Temple,The Three Weeks,Tzom Gedaliah,Fast,Jewish Jokes,Fast Day,Fasting,Three Weeks,Jewish Humor,Purim,Minor Fast Days,Tisha B'Av,10th of Tevet,Taanit Esther,Leather,17th of Tamuz,Zechariah,Esther,Jerusalem
The Evolution of Yom Kippur233 Views•August 1, 2024•Holidays•Ancient Near East,Biblical Scholarship,Yom Kippur,Babylonia,Biblical Criticism
What is Rosh Chodesh?3261 Views•January 12, 2022•Holidays•BimBam,Reading Torah,Lord of the Rings,Birkat Hamazon,Hallel,Rabban Gamliel,Samaritans,Kiddush Hachodesh,Kippalive,David and Jonathan,Fire,Ya'aleh V'yavoh,Moon,Leap Year,David,Music,Birkat Hachodesh,Women,Months,David and Saul,Musaf,Golden Calf,Amidah,Menstruation,Trumpet,Rosh Chodesh,Reading of the Torah,Calendar,Leyning,Sacrifices
What is Sh’mini Atzeret?455 Views•October 12, 2024•Holidays•Sukkot,Water,Cantor Neil Schwartz,Rain,Yizkor,Sh'mini Atzeret,Shmini Atzeret,Geshem,Shemini Atzeret
Jacob and Esau: A 3-Act Story1216 Views•February 3, 2022•Stories•VaYishlach,Rebekah,Deception,Jacob's Blessing,Barren Women,Toldos,Safam,Isaac and Rebecca,Esau,God,Isaac and Esau,Isaac's Blessing,Genesis,Parashat Toldot,Parashat Vayishlach,Infertility,Jacob,Bibliodrama,Isaac,The Grateful Dead,Lentils,Stew,Rebecca,The Beatles,Grateful Dead,Readers' Theatre,Jacob and the Birthright,Jacob and Esau,Discussion Questions
Attitude of Gratitude in Judaism3030 Views•November 9, 2022•Holidays•Eilu D’varim,Sukkah,Cantor Rachel Brook,Shir Soul,Asher Yatzar,Modim,Sukkot,Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach,Food,Debbie Friedman,Kol B’Seder,Prayers,Joe Buchanan,Tzvika Pik,Leah,Rabbi Josh Warshawsky,Bentching Gomel,Dan Nichols,Shabbat,Hallel,Thanksgiving,Shehechiyanu,Nefesh Mountain,Harvests,Dayenu,Modeh Ani,Amidah,Birkat Hamazon,Maccabeats,Grateful,Gratitude,The Maccabeats,Hakarat Hatov,Homelessness,Blessings
Rachel and Leah - A 6-Act Story230 Views•November 21, 2024•Stories•Jacob's Wives,Children,Infertility,Parashat Vayechi,Women,Parashat Vayishlach,Jacob's Death,Sibling Rivalry,Naming Children,Leah,The Beatles,Wedding,Jealousy,Parashat Vayetzei,Barren Women,Women in Tanakh,Veils,Rachel,Jacob,Childbirth,Fertility,Jacob and His Children
What's a Mezuzah?929 Views•February 12, 2024•Jewish Living•Laws of Mezuzah,Shalom Sesame,Mezuzot,Door Entrances,Amulets,Shema,Onkelos,Mezuzah
Making Friday Evening Meaningful2690 Views•February 7, 2022•Liturgy•Angels,Exodus,Shalom Aleichem,Shabbat,Sam Glaser,Ephraim,Eishet Chayil,Candles,Blessings,Fiddler on the Roof,Washing,Salting of the Sacrifices,Menashe,Birkat Kohanim,Blessing,Parental Blessing,Amen,Hands,Priestly Blessing,Kiddush,Friday Evening,Wine,Hamotzi,Motzi,Washing of the Hands,Cantor Neil Schwartz,Mikdash Me’At,Jacob's Blessing,Creation,Blessing Children,Grape Juice,Rituals,Salt,Challah,Grapes
Personally Connecting to Birkot HaShachar643 Views•October 30, 2024•Liturgy•Cantor Neil Schwartz,Liturgy,Noah Aronson,Prayer,Social Justice,Birkot HaShachar,Shacharit
Social Justice in the Siddur4853 Views•October 17, 2017•Liturgy•Ger,Community,Social Action,Liberation,Amidah,Psalm 146,Peace,Refugee,Motzi,Redemption,Immigration,Mi Chamocha,Weekday Amidah,Tzedakah,Social Justice,Benching,Oppression,Love,Converts,Birkot Hashachar,Birchot Hashachar,Tefila,Birkat,Geula,Healing,Immigrants,Hashkiveinu,Siddur,Poverty,Tikkun Olam,Liturgy,Hunger,Bentching,Hamotzi,Ahava Raba,Aleinu,Education,Peah,Eilu d'Varim,Stranger,Ahava Rabba,Birkat Hamazon,Prayer
Pirkei Avot Ch. 1 - with Bios4956 Views•May 19, 2020•Jewish Texts•Nittai the Arbelite,King Jannai,Yose Ben Yoezer,Abtalion,Yose Ben Yochanan,Salome Alexander,Antigonus of Socho,Shemaiah,Avtalion,Shimon Ben Shetach,Rabban Shimon B. Gamliel,Shimon B. Shetach,Shammai,Hillel,Hillel and Shammai,Pirkei Avot,Judah Ben Tabbai,Rabban Gamliel,Joshua Ben Perachiah,Shimon the Righteous
Jewish Halloween: Sources and Stories2763 Views•October 16, 2022•Holidays•Pranks,Grim Reaper,Pumpkins,Dybbuk,Satan,Magic,Hell,Magicians,Demons,Zombies,Goats (שעירים),Ibbur,Curses,Haunted Houses,Goat-Demons,Saul,En-Dor,Sacrifices,Golems,Goblins,Witches,Vampires,Ghosts,Exorcism,Dybbuks,Candy,Werewolves,Monsters,Black Cats,Halloween,Evil Spirits
Personally Connecting to Aleinu2359 Views•March 22, 2022•Liturgy•High Holidays,Safam,Praise of God,The Maccabeats,Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur Prayers,Mincha,Nature,Yom Kippur,Ma’ariv,Aleinu,Praise,Prayer,Bows,Kabbalat Shabbat,Bowing,Liturgy,Idols,Tikkun,Prostration,Prostrating Oneself,Shabbat,Idolatry,Chosenness,Tikkun Olam,Arvit,Shacharit,Maccabeats,Rosh Hashanah,Weekday Services
The 5 Questions You are Asked in Heaven3517 Views•May 11, 2024•Jewish Living•Ethics,Honesty,Business,Fear of Heaven,Procreation,Torah Study,Afterlife,Salvation
Haftarah Machar Chodesh: A 3-Act Story1191 Views•October 3, 2023•Stories•David and Saul,King Saul,Jonathan,The Beatles,David and Jonathan,David
“Don’t Take Your Organs to Heaven; Heaven Knows We Need Them Here”: A Jewish Idea?5722 Views•February 23, 2021•Jewish Living•Burial,Resurrection,Death,Organ Donation,Pikuach Nefesh,Bodies,Lo Taamod Al Dam Rei-Echa
Ruth: A 4-Act Story1417 Views•April 21, 2023•Holidays•Hope,Ruth,Alicia Jo Rabins,Shikhechah,Discussion Questions,Blessings,Conversion,Kindness,Welcoming Guests,Harvest,Welcoming,Book of Ruth,Food,Bible Raps,Megillat Rut,Stereotypes,Girls in Trouble,Leket,Naomi,Readers’ Theatre,Winnowing,Harvesting,Converts,Shavuot,Boaz,Rut,Widows,Parenting,The Book of Ruth,Abraham,Threshing,Chalitsah,Peah,Passive,Harvests,Peoplehood,David
Rachel and Rabbi Akiba: A 4-Act Story2596 Views•July 5, 2022•Stories•Rabbi Akiva,Kalva Savua,Vows,Readers’ Theatre,Discussion Questions,Ben Azzai,Women in the Talmud,The Beatles,Rachel,Rabbi Akiba,Tractate Ketubot,Annulling Vow,Laws of Annulling Vows,[Shimon] B. Azzai,Ketubot,Masechet Ketubot,Women,Jerusalem of Gold,Love,Beatles,Ben Kalba Savua,Kalba Savua
Musings on Preordination, Predestination, and Free Will2052 Views•February 15, 2022•G-d•Unetaneh Tokef,Preordination,Predestination,Preordained,Free Will,Monopoly,Predetermined,Basheret
Miriam: A 3-Act Story1237 Views•March 13, 2023•Stories•Miriam,Alicia Jo Rabins,Moses' Birth,Song at the Sea,Parashat Shemot,Leadership,Parashat Beshalach,BimBam,Moses,Baby Moses,Parashat Chukat,Women in Tanakh,Discussion Questions,Instruments,Miriam's Well,Moses and Miriam,Siblings,Parashat Beha'alotekha,Splitting of the Red Sea,Women,Girls in Trouble,Readers Theatre
“When Messiah Comes” lyrics (cut from “Fiddler on the Roof”)1757 Views•January 26, 2024•Jewish Living•Pogroms,Pogrom,Fiddler on the Roof,Lyrics,Messiah,Mashiach,Moshiach
Is Thanksgiving a Jewish Holiday?2512 Views•November 18, 2020•Holidays•Pumpkins,America,Modeh Ani,Gratitude,Ravioli,Judah,Casserole,Pumpkin,Rosh Hashanah Seder,Simanim,Leah,Birkat Gomel,Sukkot,Thanks,Green Beans,George Washington,Kosher,Pilgrims,Turkey,Rabbi Soloveitchik,Pogroms,Thanksgiving,Rabbi Moshe Feinstein,Dreams,Bentsching Gomel,Kashrut,Birkat Hamazon,American Judaism,Sepharidim,Beans,Jewish History
Eilu D'varim: A Shiur for Which There is No Shiur7204 Views•February 3, 2021•Liturgy•Eilu Devarim,Kindness,Brides,Peah,Needy Bride,Loving-Kindness,Safam,Raayon,Bikkurim,Torah Study,Action,Bikkur Cholim,Dead,Gemilut Chesed,Eilu d'Varim,Prayer,Making Peace,House of Study,Study,Talmud Torah,Tzedakah,Study vs Action,Hachnasat Orchim,Talmud Torá,Liturgy,Death of Moses,Lashon Hara,Honoring Parents,Beit Midrash,Shacharit,Disciple of Aaron,Kol B'Seder,Peace,Attending the Dead,Rei'ayon,Appearance,Tefila,Kibud Av V'Eim,G'milut Chasadim
Pirkei Avot Ch. 4 - with Bios3294 Views•May 27, 2020•Pirkei Avot•Shmuel the Little,Rabbi Elazar Ben Shammua,Rabbi Yannai,Rabbi Meir, Elisha B. Avuyah, and Bruriah,Rabbi Elazar HaKappar,Ben Azzai,Pirkei Avot,Rabbi Yohanan Ben Berokah,Rabbi Jonathan,Rabbi Tzadok,Rabbi Yose Ben Judah,Rabbi Eliezer Ben Jacob,Rabbi Ishmael Ben Yohanan,Rabbi Yose Ben Chalafta,Rabbi Mathia Ben Harash,Rabbi Shimon Ben Elazar,Ben Zoma,Rabbi Judah Ben Illai,Rabbi Yochanan Hasandlar,Rabbi Jacob,Rabbi Judah HaNasi,Rabbi Yose B. Chalafta and His Son, Rabbi Yishmael,Rabbi Jacob Ben Korshai,Rabbi Meir,Elisha Ben Abuyah,Rabbi Nehorai,Rabbi Levitas,Rabbi,Shmuel the Younger,Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai,Rabbi Judah Ben Ilai
Impeaching Rabban Gamliel: A 3-Act Story2773 Views•January 9, 2022•Stories•Readers’ Theater,Rabbi Elazar Ben Azaryah,Rabbi Joshua,Brachot,BimBam,Rosh Hashanah,Disseminator,Meturgeman,Elazar Ben Azaryah,Repent,Discussion Questions,Rabban Gamliel,Masechet Brachot,Tractate Brachot,Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai,Nasi,Yom Kippur,Blacksmith,Leadership,Teshuvah,Calendar,Repentence,Forgiveness,Rabbi Yehoshua,Forgiveness (מחילה)
Ashrei - A Guaranteed Spot in Heaven?4704 Views•October 15, 2021•Liturgy•Debbie Friedman,Psalms,Heaven,Neila,Dead Sea Scrolls,World to Come,Peri Smilow,Shacharit,Afterlife,Yeshiva Boys Choir,Yom Kippur,Morning Prayers,Liturgy,Generosity,BimBam,Mincha,Ashrei,Pesukei D’Zimra,Torah Service,Prayer,Neilah,Afternoon Prayers,Psalm 145,Poverty,Nusach
Personally Connecting to L’cha Dodi2975 Views•August 9, 2022•Liturgy•Abayudaya,Shabbat Candles,The Abayudaya,l'Cha Dodi,Liturgy,Rabbi Yannai,Prayer,Lewandowski,Rabbi Hanina,Morocco,Shlomo Alkabetz,Kabbalat Shabbat,Friday Evening Services,Lekha Dodi,Louis Lewandowski,Haftarot of Consolation,Uganda,Messiah,Nachamu,Jerusalem,Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach,The Shabbat Bride,Craig Taubman,Shlomo Carlebach,Debbie Friedman,Maccabeats,Shabbat,The Maccabeats,Haftarah,Shabbat Bride,The Sabbath Bride
Personally Connecting to the Amidah3754 Views•December 15, 2021•Liturgy•Shlomo Carlebach,Prayer,Nava Tehilla,Nefesh Mountain,Shalosh Regalim,Craig Taubman,Shalom Rav,Sol Zim,Elohei N’tzor,Amidah,Six13,Arvit,Meir Finkelstein,Cantor Neil Schwartz,Josh Nelson,Oseh Shalom,Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach,Ma’ariv,Kol B’Seder,G’vurot,Shalom,Avodah,High Holidays,Hoda’ah,Debbie Friedman,Kedusha,Mincha,Avot,Liturgy,Jeff Klepper,Sim Shalom,Gevura,Carlebach,Shemona Esrei,Festivals,Shacharit,Tefillah,Nava Tehila,Musaf,Gevurot,Birkat Shalom
"Yerushalayim Shel Zahav": Examining the Song7145 Views•April 26, 2021•Holidays•Psalm 137,1967,Jerusalem of Gold,Lyres (כנור),Yehudah HaLevi,King David,Isaiah,Stones,Reunification of Jerusalem,Samuel,British Mandate,Yerushalayim Shel Zahav,Gold,Jerusalem Day,Zion,Babylon,Choni the Circle-Maker,Babylo,Six-Day War,David,Gideon,Or Chadash,Yom Yerushalayim,Seraphim,Harp,Yerushalayim,Tisha B'Av,Rabbi Akiva,Eicha,Jerusalem
Jewish Values During the American Revolution2561 Views•February 2, 2015•Holidays•Image of God,Loyalty,The Law of the Land Is the Law,Courage,Ometz Lev,Leadership,Lo Ta’amod Al Dam Rei’echa,Independence Day,B'tzelem Elohim,American Revolution,Pray for the Welfare of the Government,Bamakom She’ein Ish,War,Jewish Values,Cheirut,Law,Dibbuk,4th of July,Dina deMalchuta Dina,Bystander,Jewish-American History,Mitpalel B’shloma Shel Malchut,Freedom,Equality,Im Ein Ani Li Mi Li,American Jewry,American Judaism,Justice,Tzedek
V’Shamru: The Self-Care Prayer5880 Views•November 9, 2020•Liturgy•Shlomo Carlebach,Pirkei Avot,V’shamru,Friday Evening Services,Kiddush,Parashat Ki Tisa,Achad Ha’Am,Ten Commandments,Tefillat HaDerekh,Shabbat,Creation,Hillel,Self-Care,Self Care,Arvit,Debbie Friedman,Parashat Bereishit,Ma’ariv,Heschel,Shabbat Morning Kiddush,Friday Night Services,Carlebach,Liturgy,Parashat Vaetchanan,Aseret Hadibrot,Veshamru,Parashat Yitro,Kiddush Rabba,Kabbalat Shabbat,Prayer,The Ten Commandments
What is the holiday of Sigd?2352 Views•October 28, 2021•Holidays•Lemba,Debbie Friedman,Africa,Falasha,Havdalah,Abayudaya,Beta Israel,Sigd,Ethiopia
What’s the Buzz About Marijuana and Judaism?2445 Views•February 18, 2020•Jewish Living•Weed,Legalization,Medicinal Marijuana,Marijuana,Health,Cannabis,Drugs,Recreational Marijuana
Making Birkat HaMazon Relevant1081 Views•July 20, 2021•Liturgy•Hunger,Tzedakah,Social Action,Food,Feeding the Hungry,Food Ethics,Food Justice,Social Justice
Kashrut Basics and Not-so-Basics6452 Views•July 5, 2021•Jewish Living•Cholov Yisrael,Tzaar Baalei Chaim,Cheese,Kosher Wine,Hekhsher,Boil a Kid,Jewish Identity,Kosher,Glatt,Self-Discipline,Meat,Breastfeeding,Kashrut,Honey,Wine,Dietary Laws,Kosher Cheese,Eggs,Slaughter,Meat and Milk,Bees,Dishwasher,Dishwashers,Hechshers,Hechshur,Shechita,Cholov Yisroel,Glatt Kosher,Slaughtering (טבח),Yoshon,Locusts,Pas Yisroel,Pas Yisrael,Milk,Grasshoppers,Chicken
Are Dragons Kosher?1048 Views•June 26, 2022•Jewish Living•Fantasy,Kashrut,Mythical Creatures,Food,Animals,Dragons,Eating,Kosher
Pirkei Avot Ch. 3 - with Bios3134 Views•May 26, 2020•Pirkei Avot•Rabbi Chanina Ben Chakinai,Rabbi Yishmael B. Elisha,Halafta Ben Dosa,Rabbi Elazar,Nehuniah Ben HaKanah,Rabbi Hanina B. Dosa,Rabbi Dostai,Rabbi Dosa,Rabbi Chanina,Akavia,Rabbi Eliezer Hisma,Rabbi Shimon,Rabbi Elazar of Modi’In,Rabbi Hanina,Rabbi Ishmael,Rabbi Chanina B. Dosa,Rabbi Chalafta Ben Dosa,Rabbi Jacob,Pirkei Avot,Rabbi Akiva,Rabbi Elazar B. Azaryah,Shimon Bar Yochai
The History of the Yellow Candle1046 Views•April 26, 2022•Holidays•Yom HaShoah,Remember,Candles,Holocaust,Yahrtzeit Candle,Yellow Candle,Memory,Remembrance,Syria
Pirkei Avot Ch. 2 - with Bios4003 Views•May 26, 2020•Jewish Texts•Rabbi Hillel,Pirkei Avot,Rabbi Yehoshua B. Chananyah,Shimon Ben Netanel,Yose haKohen,Hillel,Rabbi Yehudah haNasi,Rabbi Judah HaNasi,Rabbi Eliezer B. Hyrcanus,Rabbi Tarfon,Rabbi Yehoshua B. Hananya,Gamliel III,Yochanan Ben Zakai,Antoninus,Elazar Ben Arach,Rabban Gamliel III,Eliezer,Rabbi Eliezer the Great
Pirkei Avot Ch. 6 - with Bios2167 Views•May 31, 2020•Jewish Texts•Rabbi,Rabbi Hananiah Ben Akashya,Rabbi Shimon Ben Judah,Rabbi Meir, Elisha B. Avuyah, and Bruriah,Rabbi Yosei Ben Kisma,Ahitophel,Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai,Pirkei Avot,Rabbi Judah haNasi,David,Rabbi Joshua Ben Levi,Achitophel,Rabbi Chananya Ben Akashya,Rabbi Yose Ben Kisma,Rabbi Shimon Ben Menasya