THIS MONT H HaHodesh AT CHIZUK AMUNO CONGREGATION AND SCHOOLS
DECEMBER 2016 | Kislev -Tevet 5777 Engaging Jewish Life & Learning
Social Justice Advocacy
RABBI’S COLUMN
RABBI RON SHULMAN
Tuesday, December 13 7:30 p.m.
Before Hanukkah begins, some of us may be doing some shopping to get ready. This year it’s hard to miss the overlap of Hanukkah and Christmas since people will celebrate them both on December 25th.
Though gift giving plays no part in Hanukkah’s lore and meaning, Hanukkah presents became a Jewish custom in post-World War II America. This practice derives from the tradition of giving “Hanukkah gelt” which is a medieval custom honoring the memory of Hasmonean coins from the First Jewish Commonwealth. In medieval Europe families used gelt, money or coins, to play games during the holiday. Today, of course, we enjoy gelt most often as candy coins. But in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s, the tradition of giving “Hanukkah gelt” grew into a method for parents to reinforce their children’s Jewish identities by giving Hanukkah presents while friends and neighbors were exchanging Christmas gifts. In truth, it may be a good strategy. Though Hanukkah and Christmas have only the winter season in common, Americans of all faiths and backgrounds do share the desire to preserve distinctive values and respect diverse practices within our society. For we who are in the minority, now at this season of the year is when the majority’s commercial celebration can be overwhelming. So we work more creatively to affirm our particular identity. Gift giving requires sensitivity. When, and if, we are comfortable shopping for our loved ones, when, and if, the choice to give a gift is a reflection of our affection and appreciation, what we give should reflect genuine consideration. People tell me that when gift giving times come around they often ask their giftee Continued on Page 2
Wishing you a Happy Hannukah! 1st Candle - Dec. 24 / 24 Kislev Last Candle - Jan. 1 / 3 Tevet
The haftarah from Isaiah on Yom Kippur morning teaches us to “untie the cords of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free.” Parshat Shoftim says “Justice, justice shall you pursue.” How do we as Jews relate to our neighbors who live with the legacy of discrimination in housing, employment, education and criminal justice? We are building on the legacy of the Tikkun Olam Advocacy committee, led originally by Bob Katzoff, and on conversations among a small group of our members over the past year, with a focus on social justice issues in Baltimore and on what our tradition teaches us about how we view these issues through a Jewish lens. Join us for an organizing meeting to discuss opportunities for our members to study and to advocate on behalf of social justice.
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