The Cutting Edge - Birth Rituals
Jewish males traditionally undergo this medical procedure at 8 days old as part of their religious tradition.
What is circumcision?
The bar/bat mitzvah ceremony traditionally takes place when a child reaches this age of adulthood.
What is 13 (12 for a girl)?
Chanukkah is celebrated for THIS many nights.
What are 8 nights?
This is the life cycle event in which someone chooses to become Jewish, often studying for a year with a community and a rabbi.
What is conversion?
This singer and comedian wrote and performed The Hanukkah Song because of a perceived lack of great holiday music for Jews.
Who is Adam Sandler?
This Hebrew word for 'covenant' is part of the official ceremony name for a Jewish boy's circumcision.
What is 'brit'?
Bar/Bat Mitzvah literally means this phrase.
What is 'Son/Daughter of the Commandments'?
On Chanukkah, we eat these fried potato pancakes to celebrate the miracle of a small vial of oil lasting for 8 nights.
In order to convert, candidates must traditionally dip in this holy water to mark their 'rebirth' as a member of the tribe.
What is a mikveh?
This Amazon Prime show about a Jewish housewife-turned comedienne won EIGHT Emmys in its first season.
What is The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel?
Who is Abraham?
On this special day, Jewish children bless and read from the Torah, and wrap themselves in this ritual garment for the first time.
What is a tallit?
What is dreidel?
People who choose Judaism have these all-star ancestors listed in their Hebrew name as their mother and father.
(For example: David ben ____ and _____)
Who are Abraham and Sarah?
This Amazon Prime show features a Jewish family struggling with issues of gender, sexuality, and relationships.
What is Transparent?
This naming ceremony for girls is used by egalitarian Jews as a way to welcome female babies into the covenant.
What is a 'simchat bat'?
Jewish children write a sermon, known in Hebrew as this phrase, on the part of our sacred text that they read during their ceremony.
What is the 'D'Var Torah?'
This family, the heroes of our Chanukkah story, fought against assimilation by the Greeks in ancient times.
Who are the Maccabees?
The 'hatafat dam brit' is symbolic of this other life cycle event, and marks a man's official covenant with God during the conversion process.
What is brit milah/circumcision?
This NJB (nice Jewish boy) is the most decorated olympic athlete of all time.
Who is Michael Phelps?
This special prayer, used in many life cycle events, is first recited over a child at his or her naming ceremony -it thanks God for allowing us to reach this special moment in our lives.
What is the Shehechiyanu?
This ancient tradition of chanting is often used by bar and bat mitzvah students as they recite their Torah portion.
What is 'trope?'
The four Hebrew letters on the dreidel - nun, gimel, hay, shin - stand for this important Chanukkah message.
What is 'A Great Miracle Happened There?'
Jews do not recruit for their faith, otherwise known as this word, like other religions do.
What is Proselytize?
This inspiring Supreme Court justice credits her Jewish upbringing with her passion for social justice.
Who is (the Notorious) RBG?