Resources and Articles by David Janus

Clarifying an obscure holiday:  All About Shavuot
Shavuot is probably the most obscure of the Shlosh Regalim (Three Pilgrimage Festivals). It does not have a symbol associated with it such as matzoh or sukkah; it is also the only Festival without Hol Ha-moed (Intermediate Days). In addition, it is kept by far fewer people than either Passover or Sukkot. One of the reasons for this lack of observance is probably that many people simply don't know what Shavuot is. We will try in this very brief essay to outline what exactly Shavuot is, and how it is observed. [Full article...]
Judaism > Holidays with a Twist > Shavuot

We mourn because Jerusalem is not completely rebuilt:  Some Reflections on the Modern Meaning of Tisha B'Av
Our task is to build a culture and society with its priorities in the proper order, a society that truly cares about all its members, a society with the proper values. Only then will Tisha B'Av become superfluous; only then will we be able to turn the fast into a feast. [Full article...]
Judaism > Holidays with a Twist > Tisha Be'Av