by Nina Fondiller Woldin Last Saturday night I was on the way to a friend’s house for dinner when I faced a motorcade of cars flying Palestinian flags. It even included a sign truck comparing Israel to the Nazis. I hoped that this reminded those who were not aware, that Saturday was International Holocaust Remembrance Continue Reading »
by Michalee Merritt This week began with Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and is ending with the Shabbat of Love. Martin Luther King, Jr. influenced people around the world, He advocated for peaceful approaches to some of our society’s biggest problems. You might be surprised to know that he was deeply connected to the Jewish Continue Reading »
by Reb Deb Smith This blog is dedicated to all the endangered species, and all the species that are now extinct due to our carelessness and our human footprint on the natural world. I have always had the reputation in my family of being a “weather weenie.” I have the Weather app on my phone Continue Reading »
by Jill Maidhof I’m not much of a coffee drinker, but today I helped myself to a small swig. I was preparing to teach 6th – 8th graders, and those kids* are fast. They talk fast, they think fast and they’re quick to challenge or try to outwit me. I love it all — I Continue Reading »
by Audrey Lichter At a stop in Hartland Vermont this past week, we were greeted by this sign at the door of a diner/market. According to Wikipedia, Hartland has a little over 3,000 residents: 1, 270 households and 900 families. The racial makeup of the town is 98.57% white… Yet flying on a flag outside Continue Reading »
by Nina Fondiller Woldin There is an Instagram post by @sefiracreative that has been circulating recently. It addresses a phenomenon that has cast a shadow over many of us since October 7: Antisemitism online. The post gives ten “ways to detox” from this affliction… Put away your phone Take a walk Learn/practice Jewish prayer Call Continue Reading »
by Michalee Merritt Chai Mitzvah is always thinking about new ways to increase community and engagement. We try to be on the cusp on what people want. So I hope that you have heard or seen the news about our NEW Scholars Circle! SCHOLARS CIRCLE Where Chai Mitzvah will provide an ever-growing collection of Continue Reading »
by Rabbi Debra Smith Dear friends, Chag Urim Sameach! Happy Hanukkah! The joy of Hanukkah and the brightness of the lights has been dimmed in my household because of the War in Israel. My heart is heavy for the victims of such horrific violence. This week in my blog, I offer this prayer which speaks Continue Reading »
by Jill Maidhof ‘Tis the season to be jolly! Oops—that’s not a Jewish tradition. We’re deep thinkers, stiff-necked, and darkly humorous. None of those sound like jolly. Fortunately, it’s also a time to be grateful, and that we can do. Fortunately, it’s also a time to be grateful, and that we can do. In fact, Continue Reading »
By Nina Fondiller Woldin I found it challenging to celebrate Thanksgiving during this precarious time of war and antisemitism. While I have many blessings in my life, I strongly feel the pain of our collective condition, and it was difficult for me to enjoy what I have. So I went to my go-to sage, Rabbi Continue Reading »
West Hartford, CT
860.206.8363
info@chaimitzvah.org
Copyright © 2025 Chai Mitzvah. All rights reserved. Website designed by Addicott Web.