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1 Volume 38 No. 4 December 2014 Kislev/Tevet 5775 The Israelight Congregation Beth Israel of Media A Reconstructionist Jewish Community Don’t Miss It! Congregation Meeting with Rabbi Deborah Waxman, President of JRF/RRC Sunday, December 21, 2014 10 am – 12 noon. Rabbi Deborah Waxman, PhD, the newly elected president of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and Jewish Reconstructionist Federation, will speak at our congregation meeting on Sunday, December 21. Rabbi Waxman is passionately committed to the Reconstructionist movement and believes that, in these times, as people choose among vast spiritual, religious and cultural resources, the Reconstructionist path toward meaning and connection can appeal to many. Along with broad vision, Rabbi Waxman brings expertise in planning and implementation. In her previous position as vice-president for governance at RRC, she played a key role in the successful integration of the rabbinical college and the congregational union and in creating the RRC’s irst ever strategic plan. Rabbi Waxman attended Columbia University, received her M.A. from RRC and a Ph.D. in American Jewish History from Temple University. As a student, Rabbi Waxman taught several BI members in the 30 week Jewish , Alive and American course. In 2007, she taught Parshat Terumah during our Trek through the book of Exodus. She served as a High Holiday rabbi at Congregation Bet Havarim in Syracuse, NY for 11 years and has authored a number of articles about Reconstructionist Judaism and feminism. Table of Contents Social Action Committee 3 Yahrzeits 6 MLK day, Food Service We remember them Green Faith Opportunities 3 Donations 7 Home Energy Assessment, Lighting Thank you Religious Practice 4,5 Adult Education 8 Chanukah,Tikkun Olam Shabbat, Meditation The Shabbat Service, Torah Treks, News from the School The Gan Class 10 2 Volume 38 No. 4 December 2014 Kislev/Tevet 5775 Rabbi’s Message President’s Message: Chanukah Practice To Redeem Winter Working Together to Build a Stronger Community Bears have it easy. They hibernate rather than face the As I sit down to write this letter it is diminishing daylight and freezing temperatures of the clear that the nights are becoming season. We humans are forced to face the challenges of longer and the days are a bit colder. By how to survive and thrive through the time the Israelight arrives in your the long bleak winter. Chanukah mailbox Chanukah, the holiday of begins December 16th and offers a rededication, will not be far away. splendid way to step into winter I must admit that I love walking into with added light, warmth, company, Beth Israel during our annual Chanukah levity and inspiration. celebration. It’s great to watch people greeting one another, eating latkes that are lovingly made by Beth Israel volun- Begin this season by indulging in the teers and of course lighting the numerous menorahs on the joys of Chanukah in every possible Bima. way. Think about embracing some or all of the following practices. Add With the great strength of volunteers Beth Israel has been some of your own and then report to us via the forum. As able to grow from a small congregation consisting of four- you light candles December 16th -23rd let these practices teen men in 1929 to a thriving congregation comprised of serve you spiritually and socially. Let them melt away 184 member units. Beth Israel continues to rely on the long the winter blues before they sink in. Chanukah touches standing tradition of it’s members volunteering in meaning- on the themes of religious freedom, dedication, suffi- ful ways. It is truly inspiring to see how dedicated members ciency, sustainability, light and possibility. There are are to Beth Israel. Becoming involved in Beth Israel activities many ways to embrace this festival. is a great way to meet new friends and spend time with ex- Here are a few suggestions: isting friends. It is also a way to make sure your voice and * Invite friends or acquaintances to light candles with your ideas are part of the mix as we plan future programs, you. Share dinner or dessert. classes and activities. * Relax while the candles are burning. Meditate. Make Please take a moment and think about how you can music. Play a game. contribute to your community. Your special talents are wel- * Experiment with different latke recipes: sweet come and needed. Please contact me if you would like to potato, zucchini, invent something new learn more about various committees that could use more support or if you are interested in learning about helping * Decorate a room in your house for Chanukah. Have an with a specific task time limited task. evening for art projects. All the best – * Devote a night or more to Jewish culture. Enjoy Jew- Jennifer ish movies, books, music. * Investigate places most worthy of tzedakah. Send money as a Chanukah gift. * Focus on the theme of religious freedom and learn more about current struggles. After 8 nights of candlelight, blessing, relaxation, community, nourishment and stimulation, we have an inkling * Focus on environmental themes. Explore reduction of of how to make it through the winter. It is too easy to isolate energy consumption. and to sink into despair as the daylight dwindles. Don’t let it * Devote a night to exploring Chanukah practices happen. Continue to seek the warmth of community and around the world meaningful activity. Let Shabbat be a weekly occurrence, giv- * Devote a night to Torah study & discussion around ing you the opportunity to rekindle candles, sing blessings, your own dining room table. relax, engage and connect. Seek ways to comfort and soothe yourself that uplift your spirit in a positive way. Seek support * Dedicate your home or a room in your home by hang- when needed. We are social creatures and we need one an- ing a mezuzah on a doorpost. other in all seasons but perhaps most of all in the winter. * Explore the theme of dedication: how to live a mean- ingful life, a Jewish life. Let the gift of community transform your winter! 3 Volume 38 No. 4 December 2014 Social Action Committee Kislev/Tevet 5775 The next Social Action Food Service is Monday, December 29. Please remember to donate toiletries, etc. for the Community Action Agency of Delaware County. Collection box is the blue bin downstairs. Thank you – Social Action Committee To honor the legacy of Martin Luther King, from January 14 through January 20, the Social Action Committee is making a special appeal for the personal toiletries, canned goods, baby formula, new or used towels, and new or used twin sheets in very good condition that are always needed by CAADC. Stay tuned for more details in the January Israelight - including a larger list of needs that will benefit those transition- ing from temporary shelter to permanent homes and plans for an MLK day Hats for Hopes service activity. FREE HOME ENERGY ASSESSMENTS The local environmental group, aFewSteps, is offering free home energy assessments this fall. As you may remember, aFewSteps' mission is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in our community. Their Sustainability Coach program helps local homeowners identify ways to use less energy and save money. If you are looking to make your home more comfortable this winter without increasing your heating bills, or if you are won- dering whether there are simple steps you can take to save energy, or if you are hoping to reduce your family's environmen- tal footprint, aFewSteps’ Sustainability Coach program could help. Sustainability Coaches provide a free personalized assessment of your home's energy use within the context your family's lifestyle and goals. First the coach would meet with you to discuss your priorities and walk through your home. Then – within a week or two - he or she would come back with a set of observations and recommendations tailored to your house and family. If you’d like, the coach could continue to advise you as you implement the recommendations. You may even know some of the Sustainability Coaches. They are members of our community - architects, engineers, and carpenters - who feel passionate about sustainability and want to help others get started on the path to less consumption. (The sustainability coach program is not affiliated with any commercial interests.) For more information about aFewSteps' Sustainability Coach program and to sign up for a coach, visit their website at http://www.afewsteps.org/sustainability-coaches.html FOR CHANUKAH: AN OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE MORE LIGHT In our continuing efforts to lower operating costs while also reducing Beth Israel’s’ impact on the environ- ment and making our physical structure safer for our members, we are undertaking an initiative to replace and update the lighting in the parking lot. The current metal halide fixtures provide inadequate lighting in several areas of the parking lot making it unsafe for both pedestrians and drivers. In addition, these are high wattage fixtures and all are fed off of a breaker which routinely trips, leaving no light at all. The goals of the lighting project are fourfold: To improve coverage of the entire back lot, to install more energy efficient lighting, to lower maintenance costs, to resolve the breaker tripping problem While the estimated cost for this project is $6000, installation of the new lighting should lead to future savings of approxi- mately $1100 per year. This new project will save approximately 5000 kilowatt hours per year, furthering Beth Israel’s goal of reducing its carbon footprint. We are hoping to raise $2500-3000 of the cost from member contributions with the balance being taken from capital funds. With your help, we can reach that goal. Please consider donating to this worthwhile cause.

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