Christmas is not everybody’s favorite holiday. Historically, Jews in America, whether participating in or refraining from recognizing Christmas, have devised a multitude of unique strategies to respond to the holiday season. Their response is a mixed one: do we participate, try to ignore the holiday entirely, or create our own traditions and make the season an enjoyable time? This book, the first on the subject of Jews and Christmas in the United States, portrays how Jews are shaping the public and private character of Christmas by transforming December into a joyous holiday season belonging to all Americans. Creative and innovative in approaching the holiday season, these responses range from composing America’s most beloved Christmas songs, transforming Hanukkah into the Jewish Christmas, creating a national Jewish tradition of patronizing Chinese restaurants and comedy shows on Christmas Eve, volunteering at shelters and soup kitchens on Christmas Day, dressing up as Santa Claus to spread good cheer, campaigning to institute Hanukkah postal stamps, and blending holiday traditions into an interfaith hybrid celebration called “Chrismukkah” or creating a secularized holiday such as Festivus. Through these venerated traditions and alternative Christmastime rituals, Jews publicly assert and proudly proclaim their Jewish and American identities to fashion a universally shared message of joy and hope for the holiday season. See also: http://www.akosherchristmas.org
Joshua the super cool mouse that discovered the true meaning of Christmas. Out of the blue, into the green, and below the snow! Joshua is a new kind of discovering hero who has just found what love is at Christmas time.
"Life couldn't be better for Rusty Dinwall - heart surgeon, amateur pianist, and volunteer synagogue president. But when his daughter's wedding takes an unexpected turn, life spins out of control, shattering everything he believes in. A dramatic story with memorable characters, Christmas for Joshua tackles the conflicts inherent to interfaith marriage, modern parenting, and religious intolerance, taking the reader on an entertaining and thought-provoking journey through a uniquely American Christmas experience." www.AzrieliBooks.com.
Every December, Christians are given new reasons to not take Christmas seriously. We are told that Christmas was originally a pagan holiday, that Jesus was not born on December 25th, that Christmas traditions have all lost their meaning, and that Christmas has been snowed under by hedonistic commercialism. While the enemies of the Church are all too happy to have Christians believe such nonsense, in The 25th, Joshua Gibbs argues that none of it is true. Rather, Christians have every reason to robustly celebrate Christmas with confidence they are participating in one of the oldest, deepest, and greatest mysteries of God.
While investigating the murder of a Marine veteran at a motorcycle rally, reporter Ben Teller infiltrates the Mormon Temple and uncovers a dark secret that could determine the U.S. presidential elections.Initial Readers' Reviews on Amazon.com:5.0 out of 5 stars Great Political Thriller, July 23, 2012By T.J. D "TJ" (IN United States)The Mormon Candidate by Avraham Azrieli is a fast-paced political thriller that will have you wanting to turn the page until the very end.The book takes readers past politics and into the world of the Mormon Church. It is an eye-opening discovery of just what the church is about and why they choose to stay so secretive.While many political thrillers tend to rehash the same clichés, this book goes beyond a typical political thriller to provide the reader with a new angle. The Mormon Candidate is well written, and more importantly, well researched to present a realistic picture of the Mormon Church. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves political thrillers, but also to those who just love to read a good story.5.0 out of 5 stars Unexpectedly Good, July 22, 2012By heapI have to admit, I didn't think I'd enjoy this book; I practically knew nothing about Mormons, and all the books I've read on the same genre usually involve the Catholic Church. However, "The Mormon Candidate" was a surprisingly fresh and exciting take on politics and religion; I just had to finish it right away. Fluid and always interesting, this book just reeled me in with its unexpected twists, drama, and characters who are described so vividly I could imagine them next to me.5.0 out of 5 stars Keeps Your Fingers Crossed Till The End, July 21, 2012By Jude HickmannIt's been long time that I felt fully satisfied after reading a book. I should appreciate the way Avraham unfolds the mystery behind the motorcycle accident, the book is adventurous, and no dip in excitement. I basically have great interest in stories that speak about politics and Avraham exactly triggered this excitement in me. I would feel that all readers, after reading this book, would have experienced the same kind of feeling I had. I would again start reading this book and am sure even if we read multiple times, it will bring the same excitement as in the beginning. Avraham Azrieli had become one of my favorite authors.4.0 out of 5 stars Politically Relevant Action, July 20, 2012By Mitch Wyatt"The Mormon Candidate" is a rare book in that it manages to be both highly entertaining and highly relevant to the current political climate. Ben Teller's unyielding investigation of a suspicious accidental motorcycle death enhances the excitement of the overall story.Azrieli has done a staggering amount of research to make the facts of the book as accurate as possible. All of the scriptures listed, and the descriptions of individual aspects of the church are essentially dead-on.Considering the parallels of the book to real life, absolutely anyone who has any interest in politics or the Mormon Church will quickly find themselves taken away by this interesting story [].5.0 out of 5 stars Dan Brown and James Patterson Collide, July 19, 2012By Penny Brien (Higley, AZ United States)What an amazing story this is. It is the DaVinci Code of the Mormon Church with the James Patterson flair for adventure and mysterious twists. Don't start reading this book unless you have the time to finish it because once you start reading you won't be able to put it down. It enthralls you from the first page and sends you on a roller coaster of adventure.Ben Teller is a tenacious reporter who will just not let go of this story until he has all the answers and the twists and turns have the reader curious to know all the answers as well. Wonderfully well written and worth every bit of time expended in reading it. I would recommend this book to any one who enjoys authors such as Dan Brown, David Baldacci and James Patterson; because Avraham Azrieli is in their league.
Merry Christmas Joshua is a personalized kids activity book, it includes personalized crosswords, word searches, number puzzles, jokes, drawing and coloring >It is suitable for children between 6-11 years old It is a unique Christmas present for Joshua, and is the perfect gift this Xmas This personalized book is also available for other names This is a great gift for children and an amazing keepsake for parents
After years of bullying, Joshua Harper’s life has completely turned around, thanks in no small part to his girlfriend Eve Devereaux. With the holidays approaching, he’s started to realize that as tough as being in a relationship is, finding her the perfect gift may be even tougher. Christmas is the season for giving. But what do you give the girl to whom you owe everything?
Infuse your life with desert vibes, from home designs and entertaining plans to wellness rituals, with this beautifully illustrated lifestyle guide from the creators of The Joshua Tree House. At Home in Joshua Tree offers a peak inside the captivating world of southern California's high-desert, with The Joshua Tree House founders Sara and Rich Combs bringing readers into their laid back, inviting world through mindful practices that enhance the everyday. Guided by nature and the cycles of the sun, this beautiful book offers an intentional, mindful way of living that combines the very best of the wellness movement and modern design to celebrate the singular beauty of the desert. Dive into the design principles that guide The Joshua Tree House, then experience a day in the desert, from sunrise to nightfall. Each chapter in this beautiful lifestyle guide incorporates designs, recipes, wellness practices, and entertaining rituals that elevate and honor the ordinary moments associated with that time. Interviews with other designers, artists, and makers who are inspired by the desert, including those whose designs are featured throughout the Joshua Tree House, are sprinkled throughout, alongside gorgeous full-bleed photographs and a complete sourcing guide.
The Real Meaning of Christmas is meant to assist people in understanding that it is acceptable to participate in Christmas events as long as we can differentiate between who is Santa Claus and who is Gods only begotten son and his reason for walking the earth. The prophet Isaiah leads us to a better understanding in Isaiah 26: 12-13 (12) Lord, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our work in us (13) O Lord our God, other lords beside thee have had dominion over us: but by thee only will we make mention of thy name. Peace be unto you all, Amen
