Are there Jewish variants of the Arabic language? Do Arabic-speaking Jews say "in sha' Allah"? Is Arabic one language, or something else? These and other questions will be addressed in the first session of "Judeo Arabic and the Jews of North Africa," taught by Rabbi Tsipora Gabai and me. After the initial discussion of "Judeo-Arabic," we will explore the customs and history of North African Jewry. Rabbi Gabai will share stories of her experience as a Moroccan Jew in Israel, and how she came to be the first female rabbi of Moroccan descent on record (and one of only four female Mizrahi/Sephardic rabbis worldwide).

Despite all my heavy worries about the state of the world—climate disasters; challenges to democracy here, in Israel, and in many other countries; homelessness; the plight of millions upon millions of refugees—

In December we told you what REALLY happened on Hannukah (lecture by David Biale: watch it here) and in late March you can learn about what REALLY happened on Passover with world-renowned Biblical scholars Robert Alter and Ron Hendel (register here). But now, as Purim arrives, you might wonder What REALLY happened on Purim?

David Waksberg, recently shared these thoughts with me. These days, the reminder that goodness can prevail against seemingly impossible odds helps to keep despair at bay.