The Jewish High Holy Days begin at sundown tonight with Rosh Hashana and conclude in nine days with Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement. This beginning of a new year is a time of spiritual reflection and prayer for Jews, who will pay special attention to reading the Torah, the Hebrew Scriptures' first five books, most of which is believed by traditionalists to have been written by Moses according to God's instructions. Above, Rabbi Lazer Rivkin of Tampa, regional director of Chabad of Central Florida, looks at a Torah printed on deerskin or goatskin, likely from Turkey and about 125 years old. This holy text is part of a collection of antique scrolls from around the world in the Torah Museum, founded by scholar David First of Riverview. To learn more about the museum, read the Faith & Values page in Saturday's Tribune. ...more

September 18, 2009

One morning early next month it is believed the sun will return to the same position in the sky, on the same day of the week, it occupied 5,769 years ago -- on the day of creation. Scores of Pinellas County residents, from all walks of life, will gather at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 8, at the east end of the Dunedin Causeway, " to perform the rarest event on the Jewish calendar," The Blessing of the Sun, said Rabbi Levi Hodakov, program director of Chabad of Pinellas County. ...more

March 28, 2009

Chabad of East Pasco and New Tampa held its first Grand Purim Bash on March 10 at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites in Highwoods Preserve, 8310 Galbreath Road. ...more

March 25, 2009

It's the season of hope and miracles, as members of the Jewish community skate into Hanukah with a unique community celebration later this month. Chabad of Pinellas County, a Jewish Orthodox Congregation in Palm Harbor, invites everyone to celebrate the Festival of Lights, on the first night of the 8-day celebration, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, at the skating rink at Westfield Countryside Mall. ...more

December 20, 2008

"Judaism with a smile" is a slogan which appears on the Chabad of West Pasco Web site. ...more

October 8, 2008

The Village Players' production of "Noises Off," a three-act farce written by Michael Frayne, packed the historical James McCabe Theater during its recent three-weekend run. ...more

August 27, 2008

The origins of Superman and comic superheroes are steeped in Jewish tradition and values. ...more

June 13, 2008

An Orthodox Jewish custom dating to the 16th century calls for no hair cuts for boys until age 3. ...more

June 9, 2008

Running her fingers through her middle child's long, curly locks for the last time, Tzippy Rubashkin said she had mixed feelings about her 3-year-old's first haircut. ...more

June 7, 2008

Running her fingers through her middle child's long, curly locks for the last time, Tzippy Rubashkin said she had mixed feelings about her 3-year-old's first haircut. ...more

June 6, 2008