Jewish Federations of North America
Jewish Federations of North America: About Bar/bat Mitzvah
Learn comprehensive details about the history and religious significance behind the Jewish ceremony known as the 'bar/bat mitzvah.' This ceremony marks a Jewish child's coming of age or maturity.
Other
Jewish News Weekly: Evil Eye and Other Superstitions
This resource provides information about Jewish traditions and customs.
Jewish Federations of North America
Jewish Federations of North America: Funeral Customs: Say Goodbye to a Loved One
Learn about Jewish traditional death rituals and how "to die and be buried as a Jew" in this guide to Jewish living. Jewish law and customs differ between traditional Jews and Reform Jews.
Countries and Their Cultures
Countries and Their Cultures: Multicultural America: Jewish Americans
Provides an overview of the traditional culture and lifestyle of Jewish Americans. (Note: Content is not the most current.)
American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise
Jewish Virtual Library: Yom Kippur
Discusses meaning and customs of Yom Kippur. Provides detailed information about the actual service. Also provides list of dates of the holiday.
American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise
Jewish Virtual Library: The First American Bat Mitzvah
Enlightening story of the first Bat Mitzvah to take place in America in 1922.
Other
Why Christmas: Hanukkah: The Jewish Festival of Lights
Learn all about the history and traditions of the Jewish Festival of Lights known as Hanukkah.
Judaism 101
Judaism 101: Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah and Confirmation
This site does a nice job in explaining how the Bar & Bat Mitzvah have evolved. It also contains information on Jewish Confirmation, and includes many links to related topics.
Other
Torah Tots: Shavout
Defines Shavuot and applies it to modern day. Also lists the Ten Commandments (in English and Hebrew). Discusses customs of the holiday.
Other
Torah Tots: Holidays Rosh Hashana
Focuses on the holiday as the Jewish New Year. Discusses the Ten Days of Repentance, treatment of work on the holiday, the shofar, and customs.
Yad Vashem, The World Holocaust Remembrance Center
Yad Vashem: The Gambler and the Journey
"The Gambler" and "The Journey" by Joe Lumer are part of a larger anthology of stories about life in Poland between the world wars. Using these contrasting short stories, students will learn about Jewish lifestyles, communities, customs,...
Other
Akhlah: Shabbat
Learn about the holiest day in the Jewish week. Features include an explanation of shabbat and coloring pages for children.
Other
How We Celebrate Purim
A series of articles on the Jewish holiday of Purim. Click on the left side navigation bar to read about the "story of Purim", the "Tzedakeh" and the "Hamantashen."
A&E Television
History.com: Rosh Hashanah
Learn the complete story of Rosh Hashanah including history, customs, and recipes. Also learn about Yom Kippur which is celebrated ten days after Rosh Hashanuh and together make up the Jewish New Year.
Other
Lil' Fingers: Purim Sweets
Young readers and beginning English language learners will enjoy this short animated story about Hamantashen, a favorite sweet baked for Purim.
Other
Brit Milah
This site has great information on Brit Milah. It includes a history of the procedure, the ceremony itself, and information on the mohel.
Judaism 101
Judaism 101: The Role of Women
This article about the role of women in Judaism clears up some historical misconceptions that have been linked to women and Judaism over the years.
Countries and Their Cultures
Countries and Their Cultures: Multicultural America: Israeli Americans
Provides an overview of the traditional culture and lifestyle of Israeli Americans. (Note: Content is not the most current.)