Rockin’ Rosh Hashana and a Tweet New Year
Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year begins at sundown today.
I love music and I stumbled upon a holiday-themed music video that has gone viral. This “Rosh Hashana Rock Anthem” is cute and engaging so have a look.
Also, here is an interesting tidbit about Rosh Hashana for the social media fans out there. The Jewish New Year kicks off a season called the High Holy Days. This is the 10 days between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.
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A Tweet New Year
The first contemporary online synagogue, OurJewishCommunity.org, is tweeting the High Holiday services — Roshanah Sept. 28029 and Yom Kippur Oct. 7-8.
Hundreds of tweets will be sent out from the Twitter accounts of the online congregregation (@JewsOnline) and one of its rabbis, Laura Baum (@rabbi) during the evening and morning services. The tweets are to come from the liturgy that is used during the services, which also may be downloaded as a PDF.
“We’re rabbis who actually encourage people to talk during our sermons,” Baum said in a news release. “We want those attending our services online to chat with each other using social media. It’s great to see people engaging in conversation with each other.”
For more information, visit www.OurJewishCommunity.org.
Blueberry blintzes, oh my
As I predicted yesterday, I was surrounded by blueberry blintzes (pictured) today.
I visited Camp Chaverim, the summer day camp operated at Temple B’nai Israel and coordinated by the Jewish Federation of Greater Oklahoma City. 
I got there just in time for lunch and the youths were being treated to the blintzes with today’s meal.
It’s all because of Shavuot, the Jewish holiday commemorating the giving of the Ten Commandments to Moses and the Israelities.
By tradition, many Jewish families eat dairy products and foods made with dairy products during this time. This custom is related to the verse in the Torah that says the Lord gave them the land of milk and honey. Besides blintzes, cheesecake and ice cream are favorite treats during Shavuot.
Marcy Price, programs director for the Jewish Federation, coordinates Camp Chaverim each summer. She said the campers will have ice cream sundaes tomorrow in conjunction with Shavuot.
Look for more information on Camp Chaverim in a future edition of The Oklahoman.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Getting to know Passover
In December, I got a kick out of a fun song created by a group of Jewish students in New York. The song was related to Hanukkah. The group, called the Maccabeats put Hanukkah-inspired lyrics, written by David Block and Immanuel Shalev, to Taio Cruz’s infectious tune “Dynamite.”
Now, if I had not known something about Hanukkah the song’s whimsical cleverness would have been lost on me.
I thought about that as I finished up my story on Passover, which can be found in today’s Oklahoman and online at NewsOK.com. I’ve done numerous Passover stories, but each year I learn something I didn’t know about the Jewish holiday, which begins at sundown Monday, April 18.
I thought it might be fun to create a little quiz about the holiday — for myself — as well as anyone else. It’s kind of a Passover 101 type of thing so scholars, don’t come looking for some profound question. This is just something fun and something that will perhaps help keep people interested in the holiday — Jews and non-Jews alike – on their toes. Much of this information I obtained from various sources, most specifically, Holidays on the Net. If you have to hunt for some of these answers or if these questions sparked more awareness and conversation, then the quiz has served a purpose.
Here goes:
Passover Quiz
1. What were the 10 plagues that the Lord sent raining down upon the people of Egypt when Pharoah refused to free the Israelites from slavery? Can you name them in order?
2. Where does the name of the holiday come from?
3. What is the name of the book that includes stories, prayers and songs meant to serve as a guide for the Passover Seder?
4. Passover is an eight-day holiday. Which two nights are considered especially holy?
5. Depending upon who you talk to, the Passover Seder plate traditionally includes between five and six food items. Name them.
6. Jews are forbidden to eat what food items during Passover (Hint read my story in today’s Life section!)?
7. How many cups of wine does each Passover Seder participant traditionally consume?
8. What do these cups of wine represent?
9. Another cup of wine is set out for which Passover Seder visitor?
10. What was Moses’ plea to Pharoah concerning the Israelites?
BONUS: OK, this is something I learned during my interview for my recent Passover story. Get this one right and you have definitely passed this quiz: Matzah making must be strictly timed. No more than how many minutes may pass from the time that the flour and water are mixed together until the time that the matzah is completely baked?
ANSWERS
1. Ten plagues: Blood, Frogs, Lice (vermin), Wild Beasts(flies), Blight (Cattle Disease), Boils, Hail, Locusts, Darkness and Slaying of the First Born (answers from Holidays on the Net).
2. The holiday’s name — “Pesah” means “passing over” or “protection” in Hebrew. It is derived from the instructions given to Moses by the Lord. In order to encourage Pharaoh to free the Israelites, the Lord intended to kill the first-born of both man and beast. To protect themselves, the Israelites were told to mark their dwellings with lamb’s blood so that the Lord could identify and “pass over” their homes.
3. Haggadah
4. The first two nights of Passover are considered especially holy. On these nights, families hold their Passover Seders in which the exodus story is retold.
5. 1. Matzah; 2. Haroseth; 3. Parsley; 4. Bitter herbs; 5. Roasted egg; 6. Shank bone.
6. Bread and other fermented grain products.
7. Four.
8. The four glasses of wine are poured to represent the four stages of the exodus: Freedom, Deliverance, Redemption and Release
9. An extra cup is set out on the table for the prophet Elijah who is said to visit everyPassover seder?
10. “Let my people go.”
BONUS: No more than 18 minutes may pass from the time that the flour and water are mixed together until the time that the matzah is completely baked. If the process takes longer than 18 minutes, the matzah is not deemed kosher for Passover.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
12 Days of Christmas: Christmas quiz
Just how did Mary and Joseph make their famous trip to Bethlehem? 
OK, if you are curious, you can take the quiz here. The answers are posted below the quiz.
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Christmas I.Q. Test
- As Long as Christmas has been celebrated, it has been on December 25. (True or False)
- Joseph was from:
(A) Bethlehem (B) Jerusalem (C) Nazareth
(D) Egypt (E) Minnesota (F) None of the above
3.How did Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem?
(A) Camel (B) Donkey (C) Walked (D) Volkswagen (E) Joseph walked, Mary rode a donkey
(F) Who knows
4. Mary and Joseph were married when Mary became pregnant (True or False)
5. Mary and Joseph were married when Jesus was born (True or False)
6. Mary was a virgin when she delivered Jesus (True or False)
7. What did the innkeeper tell Mary and Joseph?
(A)“There is no room in the inn.” (B) “I have a stable you can use.” (C) “Come back after the Christmas rush and I should have some vacancies.”( D) Both A and B (E) None of the above
8. Jesus was born in a: (A) Stable (B) Manger (C) Cave (D) Barn (E) Unknown
9. A “manger” is a: (A) Stable for domestic animals (B) Wooden hay storage bin (C) Feeding trough (D) Barn
10. Which animals does the Bible say were present at Jesus’ birth? (A). Cows, sheep and goats (B). Cows, donkeys and sheep (C) Miscellaneous barnyard animals (D) Sheep and goats (E) Lions, tiger and bears (F) None of the above
11. Who saw the “star in the East.”(A) Shepherds (B) Mary and Joseph (C) The Magi (D) Both A and C (E) None of the above
12. What “sign” did the angels tell the shepherds to look for? (A) “This way to baby Jesus” (B) A star over Bethlehem (C) A baby that doesn’t cry (D) A house with a Christmas tree (E) A baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger (F) None of the above
13. What did the angels sing? (A) “Joy to the World,” (B) “Alleluia” (C) “Unto us a child is born” (D) “Glory to God in the highest. . . . “ (E) “My Sweet Lord”( F) “ Glory to the Newborn King”
14. There was snow that first Christmas (True or False)
15. The baby Jesus cried (A) When the doctor slapped him on the behind (B) Just like other babies (C) When the little drummer boy played his drum (D) He never cried
16. What is frankincense?(A) A precious metal (B) A precious fabric (C) A precious sap used in perfume (D) An Eastern monster story (E) None of the above
17. What is myrrh? (A) An easily shaped metal (B) A spice used for burial (C) A drink (D) An after-shave lotion (E) None of the above
18. How many “Magi” does the Bible say came to see Jesus ______________
19. The Magi found Jesus in a: (A) Manger (B) Stable (C) House (D) Holiday Inn (E) Good Mood
20. Where do you find the Christmas story in order to check on all these ridiculous questions?
(A) Matthew’s Gospel (B) Mark’s Gospel (C) Luke’s Gospel (D) John’s Gospel (E) All of the above (F) Only A and B (G) Only A and C (H) Only A, B and C
ANSWERS:
NOTE: Father Alsay wanted me to be sure to invite all my readers to St. Augustine’s Christmas Eve services set for 5:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. Dec. 24. The church’s regular services are at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Sundays.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
An atheist Christmas coloring book
Atheist Christmas.
Sounds like a misnomer, perhaps.
Well, not if you follow the thinking of the “A
theist Christmas Coloring Book” which has been creaed for families “who want to enjoy a Christmas holiday free from religion.”
So says a news release from Mindposts.com, described as a place for rational parents, students and teachers to learn and share.
“There is no shame in celebrating Christmas as a time of love and joy,” the news release states.
“Families should share and celebrate the true roots of the season.”
Take a look at the book here: Atheist Christmas Coloring Book.
Rick Marazzani, MindPosts founder, said the coloring book provides “reason for the season” to firm up rational foundations for Christmas, and building the self-esteem of rational children.
“My wife and I are raising rational atheist kids, and in our house we celebrate Christmas,” Marazzani said, in the MindPosts news release.
“Tree and stockings, love and joy, food and cheer, family and friends. We continue our family traditions and enjoy sharing the fruits of our intelligence and productivity.”
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Technology to combat “Baby Jesus” thieves
Think twice before you steal “Baby Jesus” from the manger: Technology is now helping to combat a unique kind of thievery during the holidays.
A company called Company Brickhouse Security is offering to place free GPS trackers on Baby Jesus statues to keep them from being stolen from Nativity scenes.
Apparently the company also has offered the devices to Jewish communities to keep their menorah candle holders from being taken during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.
A Boston Fox News affiliate reported that Company Brickhouse Security said the tracker means that if a thief makes off with the Baby Jesus statue or any other cherished item that it is attached to, a church, synagogue or other grop can log onto a computer or mobile phone to track the missing items.
Here’s more about this latest blend of technology and faith: “Churches Fit GPS to Baby Jesus to Stop Nativity Thefts.”
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Online Advent calendar
Trinity Wall Street is one again offering an embeddable online multimedia Advent calendar.
This year’s calendar “Love Revealed” will use music, video, photography and Scripture to tell the stories of young people across America who are growing into wisdom, advocating for change and creating a better world.
The calendar will be offered from Nov. 28 through Dec. 25.
In its news release, Trinity Wall Street said the multimedia calendar will focus this year on innovative church programs that are enriching the lives of young people.
Access the calendar here Love Revealed or go online to the following link: www.trinitywallstreet.org/advent
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Interfaith family survey
InterfaithFamily.com wants to know what interfaith families are doing for Passover and Easter.The two holidays will coincide this year. The eight-day Jewish holiday of Passover, begins at sundown April 8. The Christian holiday of Easter is on April 12.
Interfaith families can fill out InterfaithFamily.com’s survey at Passover-Easter Survey by March 3. InterfaithFamily.com offers resources and services for interfaith families exploring Jewish life.
Survey participants will be eligible to win a $250 American Express giftcard.
The winner of the drawing will be announced March 17. InterfaithFamily.com will announce the results of the survey in late March. 
For more Passover and Easter resources, check out othe Web site’s Passover and Easter Resource Page.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Catholic League gives Comedy Central a lump of coal
Comedy Central re-broadcast actor Denis Leary’s 2005 Christmas special and this has raised the ire of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights.
The special also is set to air Christmas Day.
However, the Catholic League is asking its members and associates to e-mail Doug Herzog, the president of Comedy Central, to ask that he cancel the special’s Christmas showing — and any future showings.
Catholic League president Bill Donohue said Comedy Central’s repeated airing of the 2005 special is proof that there is still a “War on Christmas.
“They are well aware that this special is offensive — indeed mocking Catholicism is the goal — and they repeatedly re-air it, particularly on Christmas, the maximize the offense,” Donohue said in a recent news release.
Leary’s holiday special includes a skit about lesbian nuns, among other things. But his monologue, in which he scoffs at Christians’ belief in the virgin birth of Christ, is apparently deemed the most offensive by Donohue.
Read more about the issue on the Catholic League’s Web site at www.catholicleague.org.
(PHOTO: Actor Denis Leary)
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Finding room at the inn
The Rev. George Back and his book “Christmas Joy: Let Heaven and Nature Sing” came into my life at just the right time.
If you’ve ever had something happen that you can’t quite define as coincidence, you will understand what I am saying.
Due to an upcoming assignment and the very premise of Christmas, I had been thinking of Joseph and his pregnant wife Mary and their search for shelter thousands of years ago.
The phrase that kept ringing in my mind as I have heard the story told through songs and oration, “Is there room in the inn?”
One particular day, it struck me personally, that Christ asks on a daily basis “is there room” in one’s heart for Him?
Then I picked up Dean Back’s book and it opened to the page that included the following essay:
“Baby Jesus as Spiritual Guide”
The Gospel of Luke tells the story about how Mary and Joseph brought baby Jesus into the temple when he was eight days old. Many old people like Simeon and Anna came to the temple in order to spend their final days in the presence of God, then to die and be buried in that holy place.
When Jesus was brought as a baby into the temple, old Simeon and old Anna immediately saw what their souls yearned for. They had come to the holy polace to complete their lives, and in looking at this newborn, they saw fulfillment of life.
“Now let your servant depart in peace,” proclaimed Simeon.
What he meant was, “I have seen God’s presence in this baby and now I am ready to be born from above.”
Birth and death, breathing in and breathing out, beginning and end, new and old — all these counterparts belong to one spiritual stream of divine grace.
The treasure of a pilgrim’s soul lies in the immensity of its immaturity. Within this immaturity lies the possibility for freedom, growth and development.
Babies rejoice in spiritual incompleteness; they don’t worry about their weakness and incompetence. A baby enjoys being merely a baby.
Likewise, we should let our souls rejoice that we have so far to grow.
When Mary realizes that she is pregnant with God she sings the first Christmas carol. It is the song of one who is mired deep in a poverty of spirit, but who then recognizes the immense possibility of God alive within her. Like Anna and Simeon who came to die but see abundance of life, Mary sees the glory of god springing forth from the depths of her humility. So it is that Mary sings the words we now call “The Magnificat”:
My soul magnifies the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
for he regards the lowliness of his handmaiden (Luke 1:46-47).
The spiritual pilgrim will see in the baby a helpful guide. Babies live by grace, not by competence. They ask for food from the center of their hunger.
Jesus teaches his followers to pray to his Father in heaven, who knows how to give good gifts to us. In Gospel parables he urges us to pester God — like the persistent widow who nags the dishonest judge, or like the host who annoys his neighbor in order to provide hospitality for a guest.
Do not attempt to speak to God from a posture of confidence in your worthiness, but from your spiritual, intellectual and emotional neediness.
Like Anna and Simeon, seek God in your dying. Like Mary, the unmarried-yet-expectant mother, seek God from your humiliation.
Like a baby, cry deeply from an empty stomach, to be filled with the presence of God.
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Dean Back’s book is available at the St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral bookstore and Full Circle Bookstore in 50 Penn Place.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
