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Sharona Margolin Halickman

Jun 10, 2025, 4:47 PM

The Jewish Home is a Mini-Sanctaury

Parshat Behaalotcha begins with the topic of lighting the menorah (Bamidbar 8:1-2): God spoke to Moshe saying: “Speak to Aaron and say to him: ‘When you light the lamps toward the face of the menorah shall the seven lamps cast...

Sharona Margolin Halickman

May 28, 2025, 10:16 PM

Where does the name Petach Tikva come from?

In the Haftara for Parshat Bamidbar, Hoshea 2:1-22, we are introduced to the words “Petach Tikva”, portal of hope. The Haftara can be looked at as a metaphor representing the Jewish nation’s closeness to God that will come with the...

Apr 18, 2025, 3:35 PM

Reflections – Kosher Curry with a Shoehorn

Keeping kosher and Shabbat on the road is no small feat, but it’s led me to have special moments so amusing, irreverent, and occasionally inspiring that I look back on them with deep fondness. For anyone religious or meticulous about...

Apr 3, 2025, 10:18 PM

Harvesting Hope: Charting A Path To Recovery For Israeli Wineries

Israeli winemakers, farmers, and producers are confident that conditions will begin to show signs of recovery in the coming months following years of uncertainty, and continued conflict with terror groups in the northern and southern parts of the country. Across...

Mar 17, 2025, 11:34 PM

Peter Sichel, the ‘Jewish James Bond,’ Passes Away

The obituary for Peter Sichel began on the front page of The New York Times two weeks ago and continued on nearly an entire page inside the newspaper. It was written by Eric Asimov, chief wine critic of The Times,...

Dec 19, 2024, 4:06 PM

A Prophecy, A Coat of Limited Colors and A Trip to the Moon

I have never been keen on the biblical prophets or their prophecies but I do believe in miracles. I didn't even know there were 63 prophets in the Old Testament. You see, I'm not much of a believer in...

Dec 16, 2024, 12:08 PM

France: Provence, the New Epicenter of Kosher Winemaking

Provence is experiencing the rise of kosher wine tourism, blending viticulture traditions with Jewish dietary practices. Local wineries are modifying their production to appeal to an international audience in search of authenticity. Provence, known for its vibrant scenery and fine...

Apr 10, 2024, 10:35 AM

Post-War Israel Wine Industry: Growth and Global Support Opportunities

As businesses across Israel operate under complicated circumstances, winemakers in the north and the south of the country are feeling mounting pressure as the upcoming harvest season could see them losing months worth of grape production due to labor shortages and...

Mar 11, 2024, 12:21 PM

Adventurous Hamentaschen

Purim, as they say, is in the air. With Corona in a relatively subdued state, the joys and fun of the festival is back in full swing, more or less. Meshloach manot baskets are being advertised and shul and...

Reuven Chaim Klein

Feb 25, 2024, 12:20 AM

Blossoming Balsam

Balsam refers to a special sweet-smelling oil that was once associated with the Holy Land. The exact plant that this refers to is not known nowadays (although some identify it as Commiphora gileadensis, a shrub native to the Holy Land),...

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