Ta’Anit Ester (Jewish – begins at sundown)
The Fast of Esther marks the three-day fast observed according to the Book of Esther by the Jewish people in Persia. Observed on the 13th day of the Hebrew month of Adar, Ta’anit Esther concludes with the commencement of the festive Jewish holiday of Purim.

Did You Know?
Facts, Figures & Folklore About the Jewish Holiday of Purim
Feb 24 : 03 days till Purim

Did you know Jewish people have a custom of giving alms to the poor on Purim?

Known as “Matanot L’Evyonim“, this specific proscription is to give three half-dollar coins, symbolizing that the giver is part of the larger whole. Everyone, rich and poor alike, is required to give the same amount on Purim, since everyone has an equal role in the destiny of the Jewish people.

The most festive of Jewish holidays, Purim is a time of noisemakers, costumes and tasty treats. The Festival of Purim commemorates a major victory over oppression and is recounted in the Megillah, the scroll of the story of Esther. Purim begins at sundown on Saturday the 27th of February.

We’ll be presenting a new “Did You Know?” fun fact each day as we countdown to Purim! So stop by again tomorrow.

Gregorian Calendar Day
On this day in 1582, Pope Gregory XIII issued an edict correcting the Julian calendar. Basing his corrections on the input of astronomers and mathematicians, the new calendar changed the rule about leap years. Named Gregorian after Pope Gregory, this is the calendar most widely used today.

Did You Know?
Facts, Figures & Folklore About the Jewish Holiday of Purim
Feb 23 : 04 days till Purim

Did you know that in addition to being one of the most festive holidays, Purim is also one of the noisiest?

That’s because every time Haman’s name is mentioned during the reading of the megillah, worshippers are instructed to make as much noise as possible to drown out his name.

Traditionally this is accomplished with a noise-maker, known in Yiddish as a “gragger” or in Hebrew as a “ra’ashan”. Making graggers is a fun way to get children involved in the Purim spirit. Simply fill a container with dried beans or lentils and then decorate it. Now kids can shake their own gragger!

The most festive of Jewish holidays, Purim is a time of noisemakers, costumes and tasty treats. The Festival of Purim commemorates a major victory over oppression and is recounted in the Megillah, the scroll of the story of Esther. Purim begins at sundown on Saturday the 27th of February.

We’ll be presenting a new “Did You Know?” fun fact each day as we countdown to Purim! So stop by again tomorrow.

Curling Is Cool Day
Remember that really weird Olympic sport that looked like it included bowling balls, ice hockey, and brooms?!?

Well today there is a worldwide effort to show that the Olympic sport of curling really is …um… cool.

photo credit: via flickr

Did You Know?
Facts, Figures & Folklore About the Jewish Holiday of Purim
Feb 22 : 05 days till Purim

Did you know that Purim is one of the most joyous holidays in the Jewish religion?

So joyous, in fact, that the rabbis have actually commanded adults to get drunk on the holiday of Purim.

Indeed, Jewish law commands that Purim revelers get so intoxicated that they can’t tell the difference between the names of the hero of the Purim story, Mordechai, and its villain, Haman.

The most festive of Jewish holidays, Purim is a time of noisemakers, costumes and tasty treats. The Festival of Purim commemorates a major victory over oppression and is recounted in the Megillah, the scroll of the story of Esther. Purim begins at sundown on Saturday the 27th of February.

We’ll be presenting a new “Did You Know?” fun fact each day as we countdown to Purim! So stop by again tomorrow.

Single-Tasking Day
Down with multitasking — it’s overtaxing on your brain! Today, just work your way down the list, marking off tasks one thing at a time.

image credit: via flickr