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December 2019 The TBT VOICE Volume 2, Issue 4 Kislev/Tevet 5780 Blending old traditions with new Temple B’nai Torah’s Family Chanukah Brunch Sunday, December 22, 2019 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Fun, Games, Music, Crafts, Food & Raffle Baskets $15 Adults/$7 Children (5-13 yrs. old); (under 5 yrs. are free) Children MUST be accompanied by an adult RSVP by DECEMBER 13th ** If responding after Dec 13th … $20 Adults/$10 children ** Space is limited, so RSVP early!! Open to all Temple members and guests Please bring donations of new, unwrapped toys to help families in our community Hosted by the TBT PTA RSVP by DECEMBER 13th Return form and payment to Temple office (516-221-2370) For more information, contact Brooke Myers [email protected] Name _________________________________________________ # Adults _____ # Children _____ # Children under 5 yrs._____ Amount Enclosed $_______ (checks payable to TBT PTA) 2900 Jerusalem Avenue • Wantagh, New York 11793-2025 INSPIRATIONRITUAL CALENDAR FROM OUR RABBI INSPIRATIONINSPIRATION FROM FROM OUR OUR RABBI RABBI This month, I along with Cantor much for Judaism to ignore completely. Within a couple Timman, Morah Meredith, the Co- hundred years, the rising Greek influence can be seen in Presidents, and a handful of congregants the philosopher Philo, who as a Jew in Alexandria works to reconcile Greek Platonic philosophy and Jewish texts 12/6/19 Family Shabbat will travel to Chicago for the Union for Reform Judaism Biennial Conference. and beliefs. By the time of the Rabbis of the second 5:30 PM Tot Shabbat This conference brings together over century, CE, the practice of a Greek Symposium, where 6:15 PM Dinner (RSVP) 5,000 Reform Jews from all over a meal was coupled with extra glasses of wine and deep 7:15 PM Family Service the world to pray together, share our conversation, had been incorporated into what we now commonalities, and learn from one another. I’ve only know as our Passover Seder. 12/07/19 9:30 AM Torah Study, K/L been to one prior, and it was truly a wonderful experience. The Maccabees may have won a war against outright We will learn about new initiatives the Reform Movement Hellenization, but they could not prevent the eventual 12/13/19 8:00 PM Erev Shabbat Service (Haftarah) is planning. We will hear what has been working in other incorporation of Greek culture into Judaism. In fact, congregations that will hopefully inspire us in our plans it was the Maccabee’s autocratic ways and inflexible 12/14/19 9:30 AM Torah Study, K/L for the future. We will join in prayer as one community attitudes toward their fellow Jews which helped lead to to welcome in Shabbat. their downfall, as the populous turned against them. 12/20/19 6:00 PM Pre-neg This conference is an important part of our connection to What do we learn from this? That Judaism has always 6:30 PM Kabbalat Shabbat the larger Reform Movement. Though each congregation been dynamic and willing to incorporate new ideas, even th On this 5 Night creates its own rituals and policies, being part of the if they come from places we might not expect. Judaism is 12/21/19 9:30 AM Torah Study, K/L of Chanukah, join Reform Movement helps us to determine some of the made better when we allow space for creativity and new us for the Great direction we will go on issues of social justice, communal ideas, as long as we don’t abandon our past. There is a 12/27/19 6:30 PM Erev Shabbat/Chanukah Service (Torah/Choir) Menorah Candle norms, and worship. While we don’t take direction, we middle path between the Maccabees’ autocracy and the Lighting…Bring do take inspiration, and then make the choices that best Hellenizers’ eschewing of all tradition. That middle path 12/28/19 9:30 AM Torah Study (away) your Menorah & respond to the needs and wants of our congregation. And is why we are Reform Jews, and why we are proud to 6 Candles. We will be part of a larger movement that has always sought that when we join in these larger initiatives, we join with January say the blessings congregations around the world to speak in a loud voice middle path. 01/03/20 6:30 PM Erev Shabbat Service (NOT a Family Service) and light our for our values and our faith. Sometimes the movement I wish you and your families a wonderful Chanukah candles together. helps to direct us, and sometimes the congregations help celebration! May the light of the Chanukiah fill your 01/04/20 9:30 AM Torah Study, K/L (Come a few to push the movement in new directions. Either way, we homes, your hearts, and your souls! minutes early to set continue the tradition of a dynamic Judaism, constantly L’Shalom, up your Menorah in Rabbi Daniel Bar-Nahum the back of the adapting and changing, while maintaining a connection to Sanctuary!) the past and to tradition. The month of December also reminds us of the dynamic nature of Judaism, as we celebrate Chanukah. The history is more complicated than the story of the miracle of the oil. It involves rival factions of Jews, shifting allegiances between regional powers, and the ever-present question After the Chanukah Service, enjoy a of how much influence the outside world ought to have festive Oneg and the kids will find the on Judaism. Chanukah commemorates the rededication MAZEL TOV Kiddush Lounge has turned into a of the Temple in Jerusalem by the Maccabees, after they defeat the Seleucid Greeks. The Seleucids had banned TO… Chanukah Game Room! central tenets of Judaism, including Shabbat and Brit Crafts, Dreidle Games, Coloring and Milah, and had turned the Temple in Jerusalem into a Temple to Zeus. The Maccabees fought a war to keep Prizes! Oh, and don’t forget to have Judaism alive and to keep it thriving in the face of forced Andrea & Gary Conwell and family on the birth of some Jelly Donuts and Cookies Hellenization. their grandson, Jonah Brooks Murphy, born on But, we also know that while the Maccabees were Wednesday, November 6th. The proud parents are successful in their battle for Judaism and self-rule, Renee & Joseph Murphy. ultimately, the influence of Greek culture would be too 2 TBT Voice Visit tbtwantagh.org for the latest information. Visit tbtwantagh.org for the latest information. TBT Voice 3 NOTESINSPIRATION FROM OURFROM CANTOR OUR RABBI OUR COMMUNITY THE BROTHERHOOD OF TEMPLE B’NAI TORAH Are you ready for Chanukah this year? Join The Hanukkah Lounge by Craig Taubman and other HOLIDAY FAIR us on the 6th night with your Chanukiah artists. For the best Klezmer recording I recommend Oy for a fun (wear your favorite Chanukah Chanukah! by the Klezmer Conservatory Band. Michelle SUNDAY, December 1, 2019 Citrin’s “Pass the Candle” and jazzy “Hanukkah Lovin” sweater) and musical Chanukah Shabbat 9 am – 4 pm on Friday, December 27th, at 6:30pm. have fun videos to go with wonderful music. Jewish I love the music for this joyous boy bands like the Maccabeats and Six13 have several awesome Chanukah video parodies to enjoy. Finally, for festival ranging from traditional classics to some very wonderful and new melodies from the best and a very well performed eclectic collection of songs from most creative performers in the field. Once we’ve exhausted around the world I suggest: Chanukah in Story and Song performed by The Western Wind and narrated by Leonard all the many extra verses of “I Have a Little Dreydl” and FREE ADMISSION “Maoz Tsur,” I encourage you to explore some of the Nimoy and Reggae Chanukah by Alan Eder and friends. wonderful songs created by our leading Jewish music artists. Finally, here is an opportunity to do a mitzvah for Local Merchants * Quality Vendors * Community Fair * Handcrafted Items Each of these composer/performers have delightful songs TBT: Did you know that you can earn money for TBT New Merchandise, Crafts, Antiques & Collectibles and compilations offering an opportunity to learn about while doing your Chanukah shopping on Amazon? We Discounted Prices * Bargains Galore the miracle of Chanukah and the story of the Maccabean participate in the Amazon Smile program which donates All are Welcome to See and $ave victory for freedom through a contemporary lens. Important a portion of all purchases to TBT. Click HERE or type Temple B’nai Torah, 2900 Jerusalem Ave., Wantagh, NY 11793 lessons, stories and traditions are often learned through in (https://amzn.to/2rEpMkY) to access our Amazon link MORE VENDORS WANTED music and these settings are all excellent. Just in time for and start shopping! And yes, many of these recordings and For info CALL Ben at (516) 322-8130 last minute shopping here is my list of favorite artists for MP3s are also available for purchase through the Amazon or e-mail [email protected] Chanukah music ranging from songs for our youngest Smile link. When shopping on Amazon for Chanukah crowd to music for the family and more eclectic ears. or throughout the year, you can do it through our Smile For our youngest children I suggest selections from program to earn money for TBT. The link is also always CHANUKAH PARTY Chanukah Favorites by Judy Caplan Ginsburgh, Shine available on our weekly TBT Scroll and on our Website. Little Candles by Rachel Buchman, and Ellen Allard’s Wishing you and yours a music and light filledChag Sunday, December 15, 2019 “Sufganiot,” “Yodelay Do Potato,” “Chocolate Gelt,” Orim Sameach - Happy Chanukah! and “Judah Maccabee, the Hammer.” The compilation Time: 4:00 – 8:00 pm Celebrate Hanukkah with Craig Taubman and other artists B’shira, Pastrami King, 196 Merrick Road in Merrick, New York is delightful, as is Light These Lights by Debbie Friedman, Cantor Rica Timman It’s Chanukah Time by Julie Silver, and Sam Glaser’s Cost of Dinner: $35 Rockin’ Chanukah Revue.