TheAaronion 616 S. Mississippi River Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55116-1099 • (651) 698-8874 • www.TempleofAaron.org Vol. 96 • No. 4 December 1, 2020 15 Kislev 5781 2 3 Crossriver Kosherfest #5 Keeping the Spark Alive One of the most well-known stories of the Jewish people is the Hanukkah story. Of all the details we remember from our history and the one so prevalent in even the secular world is the sparks of a candle lasting eight whole days. It seems that today, December 2020, people once again need to muster a larger spark than ever before. These sparks are not just candles, although in the winter months we certainly could use more light, but the internal spark to keep going and remaining positive. Hannah Senesh, beloved Jewish poet, wrote of Rabbi Jeremy Fine Hanukkah: “Blessed is the match consumed in 651-252-6412 kindling flame. Blessed is the flame that burns in Email: the secret vastness of the heart.” Hanukkah is as
[email protected] much about the burning of candles as it is the Twitter: @RabbiJeremyFine ignition of the Jewish spirit. Of course, we consume sufganiyot and become consumers of products and presents, but it is the joy and smiles that make Hanukkah so special. The reaction of a child opening a present, the generational cooking of latkes, and the marveling as a family at the glow of the candlelight. As the staff continues to search for opportunities to connect us, and as seen last month with Kosherfest, December will tap into the nostalgia of our community.