THIS Mont h h aHodesh AT CHIZUK AMUno CONGREGATION AND SCHOOLS December 2015 | Kislev–Tevet 5776 Engaging Jewish Life and Learning
Rabbi’s Column Last year while out to dinner on the sixth night of Hanukkah, I asked my shul dinner RABBI Debi Wechsler companion if he had lit the hanukkiyah before coming out to meet me, or would do it when he returned home. He responded, “Neither, it’s too sad to be lighting candles when it’s just me.” Earlier that week on the second night of Hanukkah, a group of women meeting at the synagogue had a similar response. Hanukkah was sad they said. Their children were grown and out of the house and they found the holiday depressing, especially the idea of candle lighting, which they mostly did not do. In years in the rabbinate, I’ve led countless discussions with parents of young children about how to celebrate Hanukkah and make it meaningful, but until last winter hadn’t engaged from the other side: How to celebrate Hanukkah as an adult, or why to celebrate Hanukkah as an adult. The Code of Jewish Law addresses how to celebrate another Jewish holiday when children are not present. When it comes to the Pesah Seder, even if no children are there to ask the Mah Nishtanah, the Four Questions must still be asked by an adult having a seder by him or herself or at a Seder where everyone is a Torah scholar. The Code wants us to understand that not only do adults have an obligation to observe the ▶ Continued on page 4
Chizuk Amuno and Beth El Congregations join together to celebrate Hanukkah!
Hanukkah Lights up the Sky Fireworks, Candle Lighting, Songs and Games Tuesday December 8, 5:45 p.m. 5:45 p.m. Pasta Bar, Latke Dinner, Hanukkah Games, Crafts, and Songs 6:30 p.m. Hanukkah Candle Lighting 6:45 p.m. Fireworks Light Up the Sky Over Chizuk Amuno and Beth El Rain or Shine! The cost for dinner is $5 per person or $18 per family. Please register online at http://bit.ly/HanukkahFireworks by Tuesday, December 1, and return your check made payable to Chizuk Amuno Congregation to the synagogue office.
Winter Worship
Shabbat Morning Saturday, December 26 9:15 a.m. Join us for a special Winter Worship morning when we hold our Shabbat Morning Service in the Krieger Auditorium. This move creates an intimate and relaxed prayer environment for us to enjoy during this quiet winter week. Families and friends, adults and children of all ages are most welcome to share in the special mood of this Winter Worship Shabbat.
Einstein’s Jewish Science Dr. Steven Gimbel
Professor of Philosophy, Gettysburg College Wednesday, December 2 • 7:30 p.m.
Einstein and his work to explore how beliefs, background, and environment may – or may not – have influenced the work of the scientist. You cannot understand Einstein’s science, Gimbel declares, without knowing the history, religion, and philosophy that influenced it.