THIS MONTH HaHodesh
AT CHIZUK AMUNO CONGREGATION AND SCHOOLS Engaging Jewish Life & Learning JANUARY 2018 | Tevet / Shevat 5778
RABBI’S COLUMN As the secular year drew to a close on December 31st we were bombarded with newspaper articles, clips on RABBI DEBI WECHSLER social media, and television spots reflecting on the year that passed. These media presented the larger issues of the past year – the trends, the challenges, the best of 2017, the worst of 2017, the fads, the scandals, the triumphs and the disgraces. It is easy to be consumed by the overwhelmingly large and weighty concerns of the world. As your rabbi, I have also been consumed by them. But let us not forget the myriad of individual concerns that were lovingly and attentively addressed by communities such as ours in this year as well. These moments may not have made it onto any channel’s highlights reel, yet they are the personal milestones that brought our lives meaning and brought our community closer together. In 2017 we celebrated with young men and women who took their first tentative steps into Jewish adulthood as they stood on our bimah and became b’nei mitzvah. In 2017 we celebrated with young mothers and fathers who took their first tentative steps into Jewish parenting as they proudly brought their young children into the covenant of the Jewish people for their bris or baby naming. Continued on Page 2
Star Wars
Purim Episode 5778
Strikes back
Megillah Reading Wednesday, February 28 Grab your light saber and hop into your x-wing! Will Darth vader be wearing his three-pointed hat? Will Princess Leia be able to save the Jews from annihilation? Join us for a fun-filled trek through space and the Megillah, followed by a victory celebration with music and dancing.
stay tuned for more fun.... Sunday, February 25 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Will Yoda use ‘The Force’ to get a perfect game? Will Chewie make an appearance, despite the ‘No Pets’ policy?