Chanukah Booklet
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A Secular, Cultural, Humanistic Celebration of Chanukah
LET THERE BE LIGHTS! A Secular, Cultural, Humanistic Celebration of Chanukah by Rabbi Peter H. Schweitzer 45 East 33rd Street • New York, NY 10016 • 212-213-1002 • 212-213-3855 (fax) [email protected] • www.citycongregation.org Happy Chanukah! Or however you choose to spell it. Or celebrate it. By lighting candles. Reading about the history. Finding contemporary meaning. Singing familiar melodies. Exchanging gifts. Devouring latkes. Spinning dreidls. This booklet gives you the ingredients you need to create your own celebration. You can repeat old traditions. You can invent new ones. You can choose your own way. Best wishes for joyous holiday. And Happy Hanuka. Or however you spell it. THE PARADOX AND MODERN MIRACLE OF CHANUKAH It may be hard to believe, considering the fanfare it gets, but Chanukah is technically a minor festival. In fact, it is the only Jewish holiday without any historical basis in the Bible and is barely mentioned in the Talmud. Compared to Shabbat, Passover and the High Holidays, the Chanukah lights barely flicker. Historically, the story of the oil burning eight days had a quaint appeal, but in an age of science and skepticism, miracle tales have fallen into disrepute and lost their lustre. However, with the rise of political nationalism in the 19th century, the military message of the holiday gained popularity. This theme captivated the early Zionists as well. Pioneers reclaiming the land and soldiers of the early Haganah were naturally regarded as Maccabean descendants. Then, faced with the tempting tinsel and bright lights of Christmas, American Jews asserted themselves with Maccabean vigor and elevated Chanukah to a celebration of major import. -
Tbd Hanukah Songs and Blessings
TBD HANUKAH SONGS AND BLESSINGS CANDLE LIGHTING BLESSINGS Before lighting the candles, say these two blessings. On the first night only, say the third blessing as well. (Remember to place the candles in the menorah from right to left, but always light the new candle first – therefore, you light them from left to right.) Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melech ha-olam Blessed are you, Lord, our God, king of the universe asher keedishanu b'meetzvotav v'tzeevanu who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us l’had’leek nair shel Chanukkah to light the candles of Chanukkah Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melech ha-olam Blessed are you, Lord, our God, king of the universe she-asah neeseem la-avotaynu ba-yameem ha-heim ba-z'man ha- zeh who performed miracles for our ancestors in those days at this time Only on the first night: Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melech ha-olam Blessed are you, Lord, our God, king of the universe she-hecheeyanu v'keey'manu v'heegeeyanu la-z'man ha-zeh who has kept us alive, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this season 1. Rock of Ages (Maoz Tzur) Traditional Rock of Ages let our song praise Your saving power You amidst the raging foes were our Sheltering Tower Furious they assailed us but Your arm availed us And Your word broke their sword when our own strength failed us) x2 Children of the Maccabees, whether free or fettered, Wake the echoes of the songs where you may be scattered. Yours the message cheering, that the time is nearing Which will see all people free, tyrants disappearing.) x2 2. -
Chanukah 5768 by Rabbi David Ellenson
Chanukah 5768 By Rabbi David Ellenson Last January, I was privileged to serve as rabbinic advisor to an AJWS-sponsored delegation of 25 rabbinical students drawn from nine different seminaries to the El Salvadoran village of Ciudad Romero. We were motivated by the conviction that Judaism is not an isolated phenomenon, and we all believed that Judaism demands our engagement with the world. For ten days, we worked the land with the residents of the region, as the citizens of Ciudad Romero graciously opened their homes and hearts to us. Their children embraced us as we ate at their tables, and we learned of their troubled recent history and of their heroic struggle for dignity despite the conditions of war and poverty that had so recently engulfed them. Our hosts described for us how the residents of the region had come together in the past decade to build concrete homes in place of cardboard and wooden shacks, houses that could withstand the ravages of the torrential winter rains. They spoke as well of other advancements that had come to their village as they described how they had both constructed concrete curbs on their still-dirt streets and installed electricity that brought light to all the community’s residents. We learned – whatever our differences – that there was a shared humanity that marked all of us, and we learned that the particularistic aspects and rituals of our Jewish tradition can be merged with our more universalistic commitments and obligations as we felt the presence of God in our encounters with our Salvadoran sisters and brothers. -
Rambam's Laws of Hanukkah 3:3 and 4:5, 7 – Pirsum Hanes
December 2018 Chanukah --The Freedom to Be Different1 What is the essential truth of Chanukah? A miracle? A military victory in a fight for independence? The power of Light? Or maybe something more subtle and even more powerful. Maybe it is something profoundly relevant to our time and our mindset as Jews. First, let’s recall the mitzvah of Chanukah: Rambam’s Laws of Hanukkah 3:3 and 4:5, 7 – Pirsum hanes 1 Because of this, the sages of that generation ruled that the eight days beginning with the twenty-fifth of Kislev should be observed as days of rejoicing and praising the Lord. Lamps are lit in the evening over the doors of the homes, on each of the eight nights, so as to publicize the miracle. What exactly is that miracle? Is this a story about Gd, or about humanity – about us – the Jewish people, and our commitment to the covenant of Israel? Take a look at this photograph from 1931 in Berlin: 1 Texts and 1 A Menorah in an apartment window overlooking Nazi Party Headquarters bedecked with its Nazi flag (1931). Kiel, Germany, in the house of Rabbi Akiva and Rachel Posner on Hanukkah, 1931.On back of the photograph Rachel wrote: “Their flag seeks the death of Judah, but Judah will survive, and its light will overcome their flag.” Here is what it means: Chanukah celebrates our right to different. It is an enduring and everlasting symbol of what it means to be a Jew. We learn about Chanukah from the Apocryphal books of Maccabees I and II. -
Chanukah 2019
1 CHANUKAH 2019 WE CAN SHOW IT ON YOUTUBE! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFB6pV_UdAg&t=3s Song 1 - WE KNOW A MAN WE KNOW A MAN HIS NAME IS JUDAH MACCABEE AND HE FOUND SOME OIL SO NOW WE LIGHT THE CHANUKIAH EVERY NIGHT WE LIGHT A CANDLE MORE WE GATHER ROUND THE TABLE SINGING MAOZ TZUR WE KNOW A MAN HIS NAME IS JUDAH MACCABEE AND HE WAS SO BRAVE SO NOW WE LIGHT THE CHANUKIAH DREIDELS SPIN AND WE HAVE GIFTS GALORE WE GATHER ROUND THE TABLE SINGING MAOZ TSUR CHANUKAH IS HERE – LET’S HAVE SOME FUN THE SHAMMAS LIGHTS THE CANDLES ONE BY ONE CHANUKAH IS HERE – WE JUST CAN’T WAIT THE SHAMMAS LIGHTS THE CANDLES UP TO EIGHT 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 WE KNOW A MAN HIS NAME IS JUDAH MACCABEE AND HE FOUND SOME OIL SO NOW WE LIGHT THE CHANUKIAH EVERY NIGHT WE LIGHT A CANDLE MORE WE GATHER ROUND THE TABLE SINGING MAOZ TZUR © 1996 Stephen Melzack 2 CHANUKAH 2019 WE CAN SHOW IT ON YOUTUBE! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVZTl6DWAmE Song 2 Oh Chanukah, Oh Chanukah Oh Chanukah, oh Chanukah, come light the Menorah. Let's have a party, we'll all dance the Hora. Gather round the table, we'll give you a treat, Sevivon to play with, levivot to eat. And while we are playing, the candles are burning low. One for each night, they shed a sweet light to remind us of days long ago. One for each night, they shed a sweet light to remind us of days long ago. -
Hanukkah: This Month’S Study with a Celebration of Light Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein
A MONTHLY STUDY ON THE JEWISH ROOTS OF CHRISTIANITY Limmud למוד Customs and Rituals Observed Today Hanukkah: This month’s study with A Celebration of Light Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein uring the darkest time of Jerusalem and drive the enemy from the year, when the days are their midst. Dshort and the nights long, we When the fighters arrived at the Temple, celebrate Hanukkah, a festival of light. they were saddened to find it desecrated It commemorates events that occurred and in shambles. They cleaned it up, during dark days for the nation of Israel, removed the idols, and re-dedicated it Do not gloat over but God brought about salvation which on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of culminated with a miracle of light. Kislev. Hanukkah means “dedication” me, my enemy! In the second century BCE, the Greeks and recalls both this re-dedication of the Though I have controlled and oppressed the Jews in Temple and the devoted dedication of the fallen, I will rise. Israel. They sought to destroy the Jewish Jewish fighters. people by outlawing the most essential When it came time to light the menorah, Though I sit in Jewish practices and encouraging the Temple lampstand, the Jews could only darkness, complete assimilation. The Greeks believed find one jar of pure olive oil that was still the LORD will that they were enlightened and maintained sealed with the name of the high priest. that the Jews who followed the Bible were The Jews decided to light the menorah be my light. stuck in irrelevant rituals of the past. -
Chanukah Chanukah Handbook 2017 Kislev, 5778
Happy Chanukah Chanukah Handbook 2017 Kislev, 5778 Temple Beth David Temple City, CA 91780 templebd.com Compiled By: Rabbi Alan Lachtman Cantor Richard Schwartz Education Director Gal Kessler Rohs Featuring Art from: Temple Beth David Religious School THE HISTORY OF CHANUKAH Around 165 B.C.E. Palestine was ruled by the King of Syria, Antiochus. This King commanded that idols be placed in the Temple and that all Jews be forced to worship these gods. Many Jews yearned for the day when they would once more be free to practice their religion and observe their own customs. In the town of Modin lived a brave leader, Mattathias. He and his five sons rebelled against the Syrians. Of his sons, we remember Judah the best. He was called Judah the Maccabee because he was so strong and fearless. (“Maccabee” means hammer in Hebrew.) Soon, all of the Jews who followed Judah became known as the Maccabees. The Maccabees bravely fought the Syrian army and at last drove their enemies from the land of Palestine. The Maccabees destroyed the idols and repaired the Temple. A great celebration was prepared to rededicate the Temple. (The word “Chanukah” means to dedicate.) They needed pure oil to light the Temple menorah, but could only find a small jug of oil that would burn for one day. Even though it would take many days to prepare new oil, they used the little jug to start. But a “GREAT MIRACLE HAPPENED THERE-NES GADOL HAYA SHAM!” The oil lasted for eight days until the new oil was ready. -
Chanukah Celebration Supplement
CHANUKAH CELEBRATION SUPPLEMENT Couch Comfortable Chanukah with Rabbi Paul Kipnes Cantor Doug Cotler Rabbi Julia Weisz Songs, Stories, Reflections and Memories DECEMBER 10-18, 2020 25 Kislev – 3 Tevet 5781 DEDICATE YOUR CHANUKAH CELEBRATION HAPPY CHANUKAH! Jewish traditions encourages us kivein et libeinu (to direct our hearts) After Or Ami’s clergy and leaders received over-flowingly positive feedback toward holiness. We dedicate our Chanukah celebration to people on our live-streamed High Holy Days, we set out to enhance Chanukah, to (deceased or living) and for purpose and intention. Before each night of again make meaningful that which would be fundamentally different. Chanukah, dedicate: th I dedicate tonight’s candle to: Our Chanukah service, on Friday, December 11 , will be fun, festive, and couch-comfortable! Tune in to feel the warmth of our community. Sing 1 2 Chanukah songs with Cantor Doug Cotler and musical guests, reflect upon Chanukah’s timeless messages with Rabbis Julia Weisz and Paul Kipnes, and re-experience the miracle. Let this Chanukah Celebration Supplement guide you on your eight-night journey. It contains candle blessings, the dreidel playing rules, suggestions for how to transform your home, and songs and stories. Can’t figure out the technology? Tech help is just a phone call away. 3 4 5 On the blank pages, dedicate your candle lighting to loved ones and cherished values, notice the miraculous in your life, and illuminate your hopes. With the Chanukah Essentials Bag, created by our Henaynu Caring Community for all Or Ami partners, shape your spiritual experience ahead. The story of Chanukah reminds us that we may lack control over the darkness 6 7 8 that descends, but during the challenging times, we can shine a light on our timeless values of chesed v’rachamim (kindness and compassion) and tzedek v’emet (justice and truth). -
Hanukkah Candle Lighting Song Book
Beth Israel’s Zoom Hanukkah Candle Ligh8ng with Cantor Michael Zoosman and Monika Schwartzman כ״ו ְּבִכְסֵלו תשפ״א/December 12, 2020/27 Kislev 5781 HINEI EL Y’SHU’ATI ִה ֵּנה ֵאל ְיׁשָוּﬠִתי, ֶאְבַטח ְולֹא ֶאְפָחד, ִכי ָﬠִזּי ְוִזְמָרת ָיּה ה׳, ,Hineih eil y'shua-, evtach v'lo efchad ַו ְי ִהי ִלי ִל ׁיש ָוּﬠה: ׁ ְוּש ַא ְב ֶּתם ַמ ִים ְּב ָׂש ׂשוֹן ִמ ַּמ ַﬠְיֵני ַה ְי ׁש ָוּﬠה: :ki ozi v'zimrat yah Adonai, vay'hi li lishuah Ush'avtem mayim b'sason mima-aynei hayshuah: ַלה׳ ַהְיׁשָוּﬠה ַﬠל ַﬠ ְּמָך ִבְרָכֶתָך ֶּסָלה: ה׳ ְצָבאוֹת ִﬠ ָּמנוּ :L’Adonai hayshuah al am'cha virchatecha selah ִמ ְׂש ָּגב ָלנוּ ֱאלֹקי ַי ֲﬠקֹב ֶס ָלה: ה׳ ְצ ָבאוֹת ַא ְשֵרי ָאָדם ּב ֵֹטח :Adonai tz'va-ot imanu misgav lanu elohei ya-akov selah ָּבְך: ה׳ ה ִׁוֹשיָﬠה ַה ֶּמֶלְך ַיֲﬠֵננוּ ְביוֹם ָקְרֵאנוּ: :Adonai tz'va-ot ashrei adam botei-ach bach Adonai hoshi-ah hamelech ya-aneinu v'yom kor'einu: ַלְיִּהוּדים ָהְיָתה אוָֹרה ְו ִׂשְמָחה ְו ָׂשׂשוֹן ִויָקר: :Ly'hudim hay'tah orah v'simchah v'sason vikar ֵּכן ִּת ְה ֶיה ָּלנוּ, ּכוֹס ְי ׁשוּעוֹת ֶאָּׂשא. ְוּב ֵׁשם ה׳ ֶאְקָרא: :Kein -hyeh lanu. Kos y'shuot esa. Uv'sheim Adonai ekra 1. Birkhot Havdalah and Hanukkah Melody by Debbie Friedman ָּב ְרוּך ַא ָּתה ה׳, ֱאלֹקינוּ ֶמ ֶל ְך ָהעוֹ ָלם, Yai lai lai lai lai lai lai lai, Lai lai lai lai lai lai lai lai Yai lai lai lai lai lai lai lai lai Lai lai lai lai lai (repeat) ּבוֵֹרא ְפִרי ַה ָג ֶפן. -
LET THERE BE LIGHTS! a Secular, Cultural, Humanistic Celebration of Chanukah
LET THERE BE LIGHTS! A Secular, Cultural, Humanistic Celebration of Chanukah by Rabbi Peter H. Schweitzer 45 East 33rd Street • New York, NY 10016 • 212-213-1002 • 212-213-3855 (fax) [email protected] • www.citycongregation.org Happy Chanukah! Or however you choose to spell it. Or celebrate it. By lighting candles. Reading about the history. Finding contemporary meaning. Singing familiar melodies. Exchanging gifts. Devouring latkes. Spinning dreidls. This booklet gives you the ingredients you need to create your own celebration. You can repeat old traditions. You can invent new ones. You can choose your own way. Best wishes for joyous holiday. And Happy Hanuka. Or however you spell it. THE PARADOX AND MODERN MIRACLE OF CHANUKAH It may be hard to believe, considering the fanfare it gets, but Chanukah is technically a minor festival. In fact, it is the only Jewish holiday without any historical basis in the Bible and is barely mentioned in the Talmud. Compared to Shabbat, Passover and the High Holidays, the Chanukah lights barely flicker. Historically, the story of the oil burning eight days had a quaint appeal, but in an age of science and skepticism, miracle tales have fallen into disrepute and lost their lustre. However, with the rise of political nationalism in the 19th century, the military message of the holiday gained popularity. This theme captivated the early Zionists as well. Pioneers reclaiming the land and soldiers of the early Haganah were naturally regarded as Maccabean descendants. Then, faced with the tempting tinsel and bright lights of Christmas, American Jews asserted themselves with Maccabean vigor and elevated Chanukah to a celebration of major import. -
Volume 40, Issue 6 December 2019 — Kislev-Tevet 5780 REFORM JUDAISM
Member UNION for Volume 40, Issue 6 December 2019 — Kislev-Tevet 5780 REFORM JUDAISM SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 5 6 Candle Lighting 5:10 PM 7 Parashat Vayetzei No Religious School 4 PM Intro to Islam- 10 AM Communications 9 AM Social Hall B 6 7:30 PM Shabbat 10 AM Bat Mitzvah classes-Thanksgiving Session 1 Meeting Reserved Service with SC Service break 1 PM Judaica Shop Open 3 PM The Hunger Olivia Brodsky 9 AM Sanctuary Reserved 3 PM Endowment Coalition Trustees 4 PM Staff Meeting 5 PM Social Hall Reserved 7 PM CBY Choir Rehearsal 8 9 10 11 12 13 Candle Lighting 5:12 PM 14 Parashat Vayishlach 9 AM Religious School 10 AM Ritual 4 PM Intro to Islam- 1 PM Judaica Shop Open 9 AM Social Hall B 6 PM Kabbalat Sanctuary Reserved Committee Session 2 4 PM Staff Meeting Reserved Shabbat Service Blood Drive 3 PM Executive 5 PM Social Hall Reserved 3 PM Fund Raising 9:30 AM Religious School Committee 7:30 PM Comedy Night Committee Committee Meeting 3:30 PM Set up for the 10 AM Judaica Shop Open Board Meeting Chanukah Showcase 4:30 PM Board Meeting 11:30 AM Boker Tov Service 15 16 17 18 19 20 Candle Lighting 5:14 PM 9 AM Religious School 10 AM Set Up 11 AM Seniors 1 PM Judaica Shop Open 9 AM Social Hall B 6:30 PM Lev Simcha 10 AM Torah Study Sanctuary Reserved Chanukah Party Chanukah Party 1:30 PM Sisterhood Board Reserved Service (off-island) 10 AM Judaica Shop Open 3:30 PM SAC Meeting 4 PM Intro to Islam- 4 PM Staff Meeting 10 AM Finance 7:30 PM Shabbat Madrichim Seminar Session 3 5 PM Social Hall Reserved Committee Service with CBY 11:30 -
Happy Hanukkah!
Happy Hanukkah! 1. Maoz Tzur—Rock of Ages Rock of Ages let our song מָ עוֹז צוּר יְשׁוּעָתִ י ,Ma-oz tzur y’shu-ati Praise Your saving power לְָך נָאֶ ה לְשַׁבֵּחַ .L’cha na-eh l’shabe-ach You amidst the raging foe תִּ כּוֹן בֵּית תְּ פִ לָתִ י ,Tikon beit t’filati Were our sheltering tower וְשָׁ ם תּוֹדָ ה נְזַבֵּחַ .V’sham toda n’zabe-ach Furious they assailed us לְעֵת תָּכִ ין מַטְ בֵּחַ ,L’eit tachin matbe-ach But Your arm availed us מִ צָר הַמְ נַבֵּחַ .Mitzar hamnabe-ach And Your word broke their sword אָ ז אֶגְ מוֹר בְּשִׁ יר מִ זְמוֹר ,Az egmor b’shir mizmor .When our own strength failed us חֲנוּכַּת הַמִ זְבֵּחַ .Chanukat hamizbe-ach 2. In Ladino: Ocho Candelikas! - by Flory Jagoda, born in Bosnia Chanukah linda sta aki Chanukah is beautiful, you see Ocho candelas para mi Eight little candles, just for me Una (1) candelika, Dos (2) candelikas, Tres (3) candelikas, Kuatro (4) candelikas Sintchu (5) candelikas, Sesh (6) candelikas, Siete (7) candelikas… Ocho (8) candelas para mi! Muchas fiestas vo fazer Many parties I will make Con alegrias y plazer With happiness and pleasure Los pastelikos vo kumer I will eat pastries Con almendrikas y la miel With almonds and honey 3. I have a Little Dreidel I have a little dreidel, Ich bin a kleyner dreidel Oy dreydel, (3x) I made it out of clay, Gemacht bin ich fun blai Oy drei zikh dreidel drei And when it’s dry and ready, To lomir ale shpiln To lomir ale shpiln Oh dreidel I shall play In dreidel, eynts tsvei drai.