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Federation Star
December 2021
COMMENTARY / SYNAGOGUE NEWS
Lessons from the past Rabbi Ammos Chorny
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efore the State of Israel was born, and for much of our history, Jews were a rather submissive, pacifist people, enduring inquisitions, pogroms and genocide — never in control of our security or destiny. But it wasn’t always so! In 167 BCE, Mattathias — High Priest and father of Judah the Maccabee — returned to Modi’in, where he refused to comply with orders from the Greek emperor, Antiochus IV Epiphanes, to offer sacrifice to the Greek gods. Thus began the Hasmonean revolt, followed by a resounding Jewish victory, the rededication of the Temple and the miracle of Hanukah. Yet surprisingly, Hanukah is better known for the Talmudic account of the
cruse of oil, which miraculously lasted for 8 days, rather than for the stunning victory over the mighty Hellenistic Greeks, plainly depicted in the Book of the Maccabees. The story of the of oil doesn’t take center stage in the Talmud until 600 years later. The sages had more to say about how to light the Menorah than why we actually celebrate this holiday. Why? In truth, living at a time of Jewish powerlessness, the rabbis were clearly uncomfortable with Hasmonean militarism as the model of Jewish behavior. This attitude is reflected in the Haftorah selected for Shabbat Hanukkah (Zechariah 4:6): “Not by might, and not by power, but by my Spirit alone, says the Lord,” disclosing the Rabbis motivation to exclude the Book of the Maccabees from the Biblical canon altogether. In the aftermath of the destruction of the Second Temple in the year 70 CE, the Jewish people were left without a homeland, without a military and without the ability to guarantee their own safety. For the next 2,000 years, we lived (or died)
BETH TIKVAH
at the whim of foreign rulers, kings and tyrants. We shuddered in fear of the next crusade, pogrom or antisemitic attack, relying on the good graces of kings or governments to protect our communities, and often none was forthcoming. For much of those 2,000 years, we were a vulnerable people, fleeing from one country to another to escape persecution. Until 1948! As Jews, we finally recognized there are times we must take up arms and protect ourselves – just as the Maccabees did. America has certainly reflected a different experience, but antisemitism lingers on, often just below the surface, largely limited to rhetoric and discrimination; that was, until the horrific attack on the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh. We feel under attack once again. And if there is a lesson to be learned from Hanukah, it is that complacency is not an answer. We know we must be prepared to defend ourselves, but we also need to be alert never to become aggressors. In an increasingly dangerous and hostile world, that is the
great challenge both Israel and America face going forward. Of late, we seem to be reminded that the world does not deal kindly with the Jewish people. Presently, synagogues bear the cost of being protected by armed guards — costs that are both financial and spiritual. We know we must remain alert to the renewed specter of antisemitism as it rears its ugly head, in the guise of anti-Zionism or anti-Israel BDS movements. Yet, these threats are not new for us. We have been around for 4,000 years, and we are not going away anytime soon. God willing, the heroism of the Maccabees can inspire us to face whatever challenges lie ahead. May the lights of the Hanukah continue to inspire us, strengthen our resolve and give us the fortitude to achieve a more peaceful, tolerant and compassionate world. Hag Urim Sameyach! Rabbi Ammos Chorny serves at Beth Tikvah.
www.bethtikvahnaples.org / 239.434.1818
So much happening Steven Chizzik President
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am “kvelling” with everything that is happening at Beth Tikvah. The season got off to a quick start on Nov. 28, with Cantor Brody leading us on the first night of Chanukah. Cantor Brody enhanced his program by explaining to us how many of the most popular Christmas melodies were, in fact, composed by Jewish musicians. December begins with a major speaking engagement as State Attorney Andrew Warren joins us to discuss “Anti-Semitism: Ancient Threat in a Modern World.” This event will take place at Beth Tikvah on Dec. 5 at 1 p.m. Andrew Warren is not only a very strong advocate for Jews and Israel and a moving speaker about antisemitism, but he is also a leader in promoting justice and fairness for everyone and is committed to
making neighborhoods safer. He has initiated various alternative programs in prisons for first-time, nonviolent and juvenile offenders to hopefully reduce recidivism and reduce crime. Many of his programs have become models for other areas of our country. Andrew Warren and his office view criminal justice and the prosecutor’s office as an opportunity to solve a problem. Please make your reservation to this event early, as seating will be limited and will be on a first to register basis. This event is cosponsored by Beth Tikvah, Jewish Community Relations Council of JFGN, Israel Advocacy Committee of the JFGN and Jewish Federation of Greater Naples. The presentation will also be broadcasted via Zoom. After hosting three Zoom musical events last year by the fabulous Amici Music, led by Daniel Weiser, Beth Tikvah will host Amice Music live and in person on Jan. 9. The playlist will be announced closer to the event. A full-day in-person program of learning will take place on Sunday, Jan. 30, led by Sandra Lilienthal. This year’s topic
will be “To Live Jewishly is to Live with Community.” We invite you to come and enjoy this dynamic speaker! Beth Tikvah will also host an Eat and Learn Shabbat with Rabbi Irving Elson, head of the Jewish Welfare Board Jewish Chaplains Council and JCC Association armed forces and Veterans Service Committee. His topic will be “The Ethical Challenges in Modern Warfare.” Our own Rabbi Chorny will begin his two-session “Jewish Values in Changing Times” on Jan. 19. This is in addition to his Tuesday weekly study group. This is just a flavoring of some of the “happenings” in the next few months at Beth Tikvah. There is so much to be proud of at Beth Tikvah. I, again, would like to remind everyone that Beth Tikvah is now offering new members their first year’s membership free of charge. If you or a friend wishes to experience the warmth and community found at Beth Tikvah, please come and experience our special congregation. Beth Tikvah is the affiliated congregation in Greater Naples of United Synagogue
of Conservative Judaism (USCJ). We are grateful to Jewish Federation of Greater Naples (JFGN) for support of our Scholar in Residence, Naples Jewish Film Festival and All Things Jewish programs.
Beth Tikvah “Happenings” Thursday, Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m. – Zoom lecture Jeff Margolis Sunday, Dec. 5 at 1 p.m. – Andrew Warren Lecture Friday, Dec. 17 at 2 p.m. – Jewish Book Festival Zoom hybrid
Religious services streaming schedule • Sunday morning services begin at 9 a.m. in person and on Zoom • Friday services begin at 6:15 p.m. in person and on Zoom • Saturday services begin at 9:30 a.m. in person and on Zoom • We convene Yahrzeit minyanim upon request. You may reach Rabbi Chorny directly at 239-537-5257.
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