December 2023

As we have been saying, it’s not only the darkest time of the year; we are living out one of the darkest moments of Jewish history. Yet our history is long and Jewish resilience is often wondrous.

Here we are now, celebrating Chanukah, the festival of lights. With the lighting of the first candle, we pierce the darkness with a spark that can brighten a room and our hearts. As we increase the candles and lights each night we are reaffirming our hope and faith by upholding the flame of Judaism and preserving our Jewish culture and its traditions for future generations, as our parents did for us. Think back on the special, warm Chanukah memories of observances in your home when you were growing up.

We will experience a Chanukah Retrospective at our Third Friday Zoom Shabbat service on December 15 at 7pm.  What do these things have in common: A story about a bird named Dreidel, a Chanukah song in Ladino, and a Latke message about feeding the hungry?  They are all part of our Kabbalat Shabbat service on December 15. Zoom in, be enlightened, and share in the joy. Happy Chanukah! 

B'shalom,
Cantor Rena