LA’s winter season hasn’t been much of a winter so far, with characteristically sunny days and warm, dry winds. Since it feels like summer, aside from classes, a light, summery dessert would be the perfect conclusion to Shabbat dinner or…
Once in a lifetime Thanksgivukah this Thursday
Christmahanukwanzukah. Christmukah. Kwanzukah. You will not hear any of these terms this year because Chanukah does not fall on Christmas or Kwanza, but on an entirely different holiday. For the first time in many years, the second night of Chanukah…
Jewish dating quiz: what type of Jew is right for you?
What Jewish personality type should you look for in a significant other? Take this quiz to find out!
The ins and outs of Jewish dating at UCLA
To many, college is a time to take classes, join interesting clubs, land dream internships, and meet soulmates/hook-up buddies/Saturday night dates — not necessarily in that order. But for one who grew up in the Jewish tradition that firmly stresses…
The changing dynamics of Jewish education
The perpetuation of Judaism throughout the millennia has largely relied on one of its most important tenets: education. The Talmudic tractate Kiddushin (“Consecrations”; 29a) dictates that a father is obligated to teach his child three things: how to earn a…
Thanksgivukah
Background and Celebration: Christmahanukwanzukah. Christmukah. Kwanzukah. You will not hear any of these terms this year because Chanukah does not fall on Christmas or Kwanza, but on an entirely different holiday. For the first time in many years, the second…
Kosher Korner: Pumpkin Ricotta Gnocchi
As I have mentioned, I absolutely refuse to throw out my Halloween decorations and am always looking to find new ways to incorporate pumpkin into my meals. One of my favorite fall dishes is a kind of squash ravioli with…
Ask Yente
Hello everyone. Ha’Am has established a new column called “Ask Yente,” where YOU can ask questions about anything troubling you. I, your wise Yente, will try my best to answer your questions in a timely manner. All I ask is that the questions be…
Kosher Korner: Pumpkin Blondies
Happy Halloween from the staff of Ha’Am! Whether you choose to celebrate tonight by dressing up, trick-or-treating, devouring candy, partying, or watching a scary movie (or doing nothing special because Halloween is a pagan holiday and Purim is better), treat…
Losing Their Religion: American Jewry
In his 1997 work “American Pastoral,” novelist Philip Roth depicts the tragic decline of an assimilated Jew, Seymour “Swede” Levov, and his family in a New Jersey suburb. In doing so, Roth underlines a recurring theme throughout American Jewish literature…