Celebrating Jewish Life in Collier County
Federation Star Published by the Jewish Federation of Collier County serving Naples, Marco Island and the surrounding communities
www.JewishNaples.org INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
7A Community Relations Comm. 8A Women’s Cultural Alliance 11A Community Focus 13A Israel & the Jewish World 16A Tributes 17A Focus on Youth 21A Rabbinical Reflections 22A Synagogues 24A Organizations 27A Business Directory 30A Community Calendar 31A Community Directory 1B Jewish Happenings 5B Commentary 7B Jewish Interest
4A Mission to Israel – Part One
December 2012 - Kislev/Teveth 5773
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Vol. 22 #4
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Miracles Judge Norman Krivosha President
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ot only does the arrival of December signal the end of the secular calendar year, but on the evening of December 8 begins the eight-day festival of Chanukah. And whether you spell Chanukah as I have, or you use Hanukah or Hanukkah, the holiday is the same. It announces the 25th day of Kislev and commemorates the successful battle by the Hasmoneans over the Greeks in the year 148 B.C.E. and the retaking of the sacred Temple which had been desecrated by the Greeks. As most of us know, when the Maccabees entered the Temple they found that all of the oil for the Ner Tamid, the Eternal Lamp, had been
defiled by the Greeks and that there was only sufficient pure oil for but one day. The process necessary to purify more oil required eight days. Yet the single day’s oil burnt for eight days while the other oil was being purified and the Eternal Lamp remained lit. It was truly a miracle. The following year, the Rabbis proclaimed the 25th of Kislev and the succeeding eight days as a holiday which was called Chanu Kaf-Hay (they rested on the 25th), for on the 25th of Kislev they rested from their enemies. To commemorate that miracle, we kindle the Chanukah menorah for eight days and recount and remember the “miracle,” giving thanks for all that was done for us so long ago. People often ask today why there are no longer miracles performed by Hashem as He did for our ancestors so long ago. But perhaps the answer is simply that we no longer recognize that an event may indeed be a modernday miracle. G-d could have just as
easily provided eight days of oil as providing one day of oil that lasted for eight days and not require the people to do anything. Our rabbis, however, teach us that G-d wanted mankind to have an active role in the miracle and to understand that miracles require some effort by the people who are seeking miracles to occur. Further, one might ask “What is a miracle?” Merriam-Webster defines a miracle as “an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs.” That, of course, would satisfy the miracle of the oil. But the dictionary also defines a miracle as “an extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing or accomplishment.” In fact, many events which we simply take for granted or subscribe to “Worldly Happenings,” are indeed actually modern-day miracles. Is it not a “miracle” when science finds a cure for an otherwise deadly disease, which, in fact, has always
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Community Chanukah Celebration
7A Honorable John Paul Stevens to be honored
Jewish Federation of Collier County and our Community Synagogues and Organizations invite you to join us
Thursday, December 13 at 5:45 p.m.
The Strada at Mercato US 41 & Vanderbilt Beach Road
9A Kristallnacht Convocation
10B Naples residents visit Prague Jewish community
Greetings from Community Leaders Candle Lighting Songs from Simcha Musical Duo Jean & Ron Amodea Concert by the Naples Klezmer Revival Band and lots of holiday spirit for the whole family! WE CELEBRATE OUR JEWISH COMMUNITY Jewish Federation of Collier County • Beth Tikvah • Chabad Jewish Center of Naples Jewish Congregation of Marco Island • Naples Jewish Congregation • Temple Shalom Jewish Family & Community Services of SWFL • Hadassah • Humanistic Jewish Havurah • Israel Bonds • JNF Jewish War Veterans Post 202 • NCJW • Naples Friends of Magen David Adom • Naples Jewish Social Club • ORT
Jewish Federation of Collier County Inc. 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., Ste. 2201 Naples, FL 34109
Prsrt Std US Postage Paid Permit #419 Ft Myers FL
Chanukah begins Saturday night, December 8