Kol Beth El C H E S H VA N - S H E VAT 5 7 7 9
NOV/DEC 2018 JAN 2019
Hanukkah: Light Your Candle and Dedicate Yourself Anew From the desk of Rabbi Michael Schwab
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Shabbat Schedule....................2 President’s Corner...................3 Notes from Hazzan..................4 Informal Education..................5 Preschool Director...................5 Cultural & Learning Center.....6 Rabbi Freedman.......................6 Development ...........................7 Sisterhood.................................8 Sisterhood Gift Shop...............9 Beth El History Corner ............9 Men’s Club................................10 Lox Box Form...........................11 Religious School.......................12 Youth Community....................13 Todah Rabbah..........................14 Ba’al Korei Institute..................20 Social Action.............................21 November Calendar ...............22 December Calendar ................23 January Calendar......................24 B’nai Mitzvah............................25 All in the Beth El Family...........25, 28 Events at a Glance....................26
North Suburban Synagogue Beth El 1175 N. Sheridan Road Highland Park, IL 60035 (847) 432-8900 www.nssbethel.org
The Hebrew word “Hanukkah” actually In modern America, Hanukkah is often means “dedication.” This is because, after characterized by the giving of gifts. the victory of the Maccabees, the Jewish Our children and grandchildren eagerly people were able to redeem the holy anticipate the presents they will receive Temple, which the Hasmonean Greeks each night as the family gathers to light had desecrated and used to store their the candles. However, as many of you livestock. In a ceremony that began with know, the idea of gift giving on Hanukkah is a relatively recent addition to the obser- the rekindling of the lamps of the sanctuary, the leaders of Israel dedicated the vance of the holiday. This tradition came into existence primarily in reIn other words, the gift given to us on the holiday of sponse to Hanukkah is embodied in its ability to inspire us, today, the practice of our Christian to dedicate ourselves to a higher purpose in a way that is neighbors, who relevant to each of our current situations. celebrate Christmas by giving presents Temple to the to their children. service of God Yet, despite the once again. modern origin However, this of this custom, deed was much on some level, more than the Hanukkah has alphysical dedicaways been about tion of a building. gifts, though This act of dedinot in a material cation had great sense. Consespiritual and symquently, the true bolic meaning signifying the re-dedication essence of Hanukkah goes well beyond of the Jewish people to their Judaism and the exchange of tangible items, beyond to their core values. The mere fact that the historical military victory of the the rabbis simply refer to this holiday as Maccabees, and even beyond the tradithe holiday of “dedication,” without spectional observance of kindling the Hanukifying exactly to what, allows the spiritual kah lights as a way of commemorating power of such a dedication to transcend the great miracle of the oil. The true gift any specific historical event and allows of Hanukkah actually lies in its profound the holiday to take on multiple meanings. spiritual essence which has the power to In other words, the gift given to us on the be transformative for each and every Jew. continued on page 20
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019 | KOL BETH EL | 1