December 2020

Stille Nacht

Stille Nacht By Robert B. Drynan   In 1762 and 1763 Catherine the Great, Tsarina of Russia, issued manifestos inviting Europeans to immigrate and farm undeveloped Russian lands. The immigrants were promised privileges preserving their own culture, religion and language and freedom from military service. The greatest response came from Germany in the first five

Stille Nacht Read More »

Story of Chanukah

Story of Chanukah By Mel Goldberg Chanukah is the Jewish eight-day, wintertime “festival of freedom,” celebrated with the nightly lighting of a nine-branched menorah, special prayers, and fried foods. The Hebrew word Chanukah means dedication, and is thus named because it celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple. The Hebrew word is actually pronounced with

Story of Chanukah Read More »