Congregation B’nai Harim Children of the Mountains Congregation B’nai Harim, P.O. Box 757, Pocono Pines, PA 18350/ (570) 646-0100 http://www.bnaiharimpoconos.org NEWSLETTER /DECEMBER 2017/ VOLUME 23, ISSUE 12 RABBI’S MESSAGE - DECEMBER 2017 Chanukah is not only the Festival of Lights, it is the Holiday of Rededication. As a holiday that falls at the darkening of the year, it holds out the hope of the return of light and of its increase in the future. As the holiday of rededication, it turns us back to times of action and gives us a space to rekindle our passions. And, of course, it has become the holiday of the “present” as well! Rabbi Peg In the Talmud there is a debate between Rabbis Shammai and Hillel, the quintessen- Kershenbaum tial sparring partners. Shammai thinks that people should light 8 lamps (they didn’t use candles in those days) on the first night and one fewer each successive night, thus clicking off the days of the holiday until no lights are lit. Hillel believes that we should never decrease in holiness, so he recommends lighting one more lamp each night until the holiday goes out in a blaze of glory. As is mostly the case, we follow Hillel’s opinion. So, when we kindle our chanukiyot (Chanukah menorahs), we look forward to greater illumination each night. Chanukah also marked the time that the Maccabees purified the Temple in Jerusalem and re- consecrated it to the service of Adonai, driving out pagan practices, clearing away unkosher animal remains and tearing down the statue of Zeus. They reclaimed, too, the lost Sukkot holiday of that year, bestowing on the celebration of Chanukat haBayit (the Dedication of the House [of God]) eight days, just like Sukkot (and Pesach in the springtime). This Chanukah at our synagogue celebration, we will dedicate a new gift crafted by Jim Hannan. This is an inlaid tray to be used on Yom haShoah, on Kristallnacht and during Yizkor commemora- tions to hold yahrzeit lamps. Jim has found a way to express his gifts by giving of them to B’nai Harim. While not everyone is an artist, all of you have special talents, skills and traits that can be dedi- cated or re-dedicated to your spiritual home. It is not only that B’nai Harim itself benefits from your giving of yourself; when you give of yourself to something bigger than yourself, you deliberately place yourself in alignment with our people and our mission: to be a light to the nations. In this season of light, I ask you to consider what gifts you can give to elevate yourself spiritually and to enhance the beauty of our synagogue and its mission in our community. As is often the case when one gives, one receives more in return. May you give of your own special lights and receive a feeling of joy in return. Chag Urim Sameach! May the Festival of Lights be a time of happiness! CALLING ALL WHO LIKE TO SING Our choir needs you! You don't have to know the words or the music. All you have to know is that your voice is important. We rehearse once a month and sing during the next service. Even if you don't want to sing in a group during services, come sing together at practice! We need you!! Our next rehearsal is Sat., Dec. 9th at 10:30 AM Our next choir Shabbat is Sat., Dec. 16th at 9:30 AM NEW PROGRAMS PLANNED UPCUPCOMING SHABBAT DINNNERS Watch for more information December 8, 2017 Janet Wile Lecture series. January 19, 2018 February 2, 2018 Jews in Sports March 9, 2018 - Shabbat Across America PAGE ONE/B’NAI HARIM 2 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE - DECEMBER 2017 One of the most important messages of Chanukah is that small and insignificant beginnings can lead to large and significant conclusions. A small beginning can be in the form of lighting Shabbat candles, attending services or doing mitzvahs. At home we light Hanukah lights to remind us of the miracle of the jug of oil. As the lights shine so bright we remember Judah Macabee and his brothers. On Hanukkah we talk Barbara Feman of how “the mighty were vanquished by the weak. Chanukkah teaches us to have faith in the power of small beginnings. Can you find the different spellings for the festival of lights in the above paragraph?1 As little as about five years ago, the top spelling choice on the Internet was Chanukah. But times are constantly changing; even in the way the holiday of lights is celebrated and un- derstood. The Hanukkah spelling has gone mainstream. So, if you like to slightly buck the trend and go traditional Chanukah is your spelling. With both correct, and about 14 others technically correct too, rest assured that you have an excellent shot at getting the spelling right. However, whether you are in tune with the latest spelling trend will be an entirely differ- ent story. No matter your choice, I wish you all a Happy Chanukah! Hanukah! Hanukkah! You get the message. Hoping to see you at our Chanukah luncheon. 1 http://time.com/3636698/right-spelling-hanukkah-chanukah-hannukah/ JUDAICIA SHOP by Norma Krasne-Levine The Judaica Shop has been restocked for Jewish Book Month, Thanksgiving and Chanukah. There are gifts for adults and children. Thus far, this year The Judaica Shop has sold over $225.00 worth of merchandise. This year the Chanukah Story Time Parties will be presented at seven differ- ent sites in Monroe County. We have been given a $500.00 grant by Mark Silver- berg from Federation to cover some of the costs of supplies which have previously been donat- ed by me and members of the Maccabee Mavens Committee. SOCIAL ACTION by Steven Levine Thanks to all the congregants who contributed so generously during our High Holiday Food Campaign. The foods went to the Kosher Food Pantry in Scranton and the Non-Kosher foods went to The Five Loaf House and the CAME Food Pantry. There is a desperate need for warm coats, jackets, sweaters, hats, gloves and scarves. Please NO summer clothes. As an RSVP HUGS Station we have been able to collect from various sites, donations of toiletries, pet food, clean underwear, duffel bags, fleece jackets, and lap robes. These items were distributed to Operation Chill Out: Veterans living in the woods, Valor House, various Food Pantries, and female Veterans in the VA Nursing Home. Working with Pocono Alliance and Operation Chill Out we were able to provide a needy veteran with a handicap van and a motorized wheel chair that was donated by the widow of a deceased veteran. Our congregation joined with St. Max on Sunday Oct. 15th in a “Stop the Hate Program”. On Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017 B’nai Harim will be hosting a “Unity Afternoon” with members of Monroe County United. Step by step B’nai Harim is working to repair the world. PAGE TWO/B’NAI HARIM FLORIDA LUNCHEON - 2018 The Florida luncheon will be held at 12:30 pm on Friday , January 26th , 2018. at: The Waterway Café, 2300 PGA Boulevard, Palm Beach Gardens, Fl. 33410. Phone # is 561-694-1700 Call Maddy Mogel for reservations at 561-638-3740 TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME by GEORGE NOVICK Growing up in Brooklyn, I cheered the addition to the Dodgers of a Jewish Ball Player, Sandy Koufax, a Brooklyn boy out of Lafayette High School, on a basketball scholarship to Cincinnati, became the Dodger’s premier pitcher. I knew of Hank Greenberg, Al Rosen and Dodger outfielder Cal Abrams but Koofoo was a legitimate current all star. I couldn’t believe that Sandy did not play in the World Series on the Jewish holidays at the behest of Jake Pitler, a Dodger coach. Those were the days. Fast forward to the 2017 World Series. Two Jewish ball players were facing each other, Alex Bregman for Houston and Joc Pederson (3 Home Runs in Series) for LA. I, the assimilat- ed Jew, was elated. 2016 and 2017 had so many players who identified as Jews playing and managing. Here is a list of some of them. Craig Breslow, Ty Kelly, Jason Kipnis, Kevin Pillar, Ian Kinsler, Ryan Braun, Kevin Youkillis, Brad Ausmus, Sam Fuld, Scott Feldman et al. I guess, in some cases, you can’t tell the players without a DNA. I once heard a rendition of Take Me Out To The Ball Game in Yiddish. Maybe it should be played during the 7th inning stretch at the ball park. Before I end, don’t forget about Yankee Catcher Moe Berg who was an American spy extraordinaire in the 40’s. CHANUKAH STORY TIME PARTY by Norma Krasne-Levine You are invited to a Chanukah Story Time Party with members from Congregation B’nai Harim! Listen and learn about the Jewish Holiday of Chanukah; play dreidel, eat latkes, sing songs, and create holiday crafts. This free event is shared in friendship with the entire Pocono Community. Mon. Dec. 4th @ 6:30 PM – The Friendly Community Center 6683 Route 191, Mountainhome, PA Wed. Dec. 6th @ 1:00 PM – The Western Pocono Community Library 2000 Pilgrim Way, Broadheadsville, PA Sat. Dec. 9th @ 1:30 PM – The Pocono Mountain Library 5500 Municipal Drive, Tobyhanna, PA Tues. Dec. 12th @ 10:00 AM – The Eastern Monroe Public Library 1002 North 9th St., Stroudsburg, PA Tues. Dec. 12th @ 6:00 PM – The Clymer Public Library 115 Firehouse Road, Pocono Pines, PA Wed. Dec. 13th @ 10:30 AM – The Barrett Friendly Library 6500 Routes 191 & 390, Cresco, PA Thurs.