11/29/2023 03:01:39 PM
The reach of the Israel-Gaza War has returned to me repeatedly over the last few days. On Saturday, three Palestinian college students were shot while walking and chatting. Hisham Awartani, one of the students who attends Brown University, might not walk again. We have no tolerance for acts of violence inflicted upon people for simply being who they are. Then on Monday, the Oakland City Council held a six-hour hearing in which community members repeated such allegations as Israel staged the October 7 massacre and Hamas is not a terrorist organization. Meanwhile, a rabbi currently traveling in Israel told me, “The whole country has PTSD. I have no idea what can happen next.”
These dark times continue, but the temporary ceasefire that has brought hostages home and aid to Gazan IDPs (internally displaced persons) - has brought light amidst the darkness. That light is so important. The light that we kindle now, that we allow in and let it warm our spirits - that light will linger, brightening tomorrow too.
Midrash says that Hanukkah’s spiritual origins long precede the Maccabees: Adam and Eve were terrified by the slowly darkening days. But when finally the light started returning, they were so joyful that they celebrated for eight days straight.
Amidst the dark parts of the world, we will also celebrate. On Sunday, we’ll have our annual Chanukah Fair, with booths selling crafts and art, latkes and lentil stew, music, a raffle, and an activity center for kids! Thank you to the fair organizer Terry Levy and everyone who has helped by volunteering (and if you’d like to volunteer, you can still sign up). Chanukah starts on the evening of December 7, and we will gather for community candelighting, dinner, and Israeli dancing on Saturday, December 9.
The following weekend (December 15-16), we will follow Hanukkah with a Jewish Learning Shabbat. On Friday, December 15, we’ll bring back Friday Night Feast with Dr. Keren McGinity, the Conservative movement’s leader and champion of interfaith inclusion, who will study how interfaith relationships have been represented in pop culture with a particular focus on gender dynamics. Then on Saturday, December 16, Dr. Laura Yares will present the findings of her new book on the history of Jewish Sunday schools. They are both engaging, brilliant speakers and I am excited to bring them to Am Tikvah!
Last but not least, I need your input. I am planning to make Saturday Torah study hybrid (rather than Zoom-only), and opening a conversation on the timing: whether it should stay in the morning, before Shabbat services, or move to the afternoon following kiddush lunch. Please submit your thoughts and opinions here [link to survey]. Thank you in advance for your input, and see you on Sunday at the Chanukah Fair!
