Kol Beth El
8
KISLEV - ADAR 5780
DEC 2019/JAN/FEB 2020
8 Ways to Prepare for 8 Nights of Hanukkah By Rabbi Alex Freedman
Take out your Hanukkiah and fire up your skillet! Hanukkah is around the corner! We light the first candle on Sunday, December 22nd.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE President’s Corner................................. .2 Shabbat & Holiday Schedule............. .3 Notes from Hazzan............................... .4 Informal Education................................ .5 Formal Education................................... .5 Cultural & Learning Center................ .6 Ritually Speaking.................................... 6 Development .......................................... .7 Pre-School................................................ .7 Youth Community................................. .8 Artists Beit Midrash Exhibit............... .9 Sisterhood................................................. 10 Sisterhood Gift Shop............................ 10 Men’s Club................................................ 11 Roots........................................................... 11 Support Our Troops.............................. 12 Volunteer Profile.................................... 12
All in the Family.................................. 13 Todah Rabbah......................................... 14 Museum Treasures................................ 20 LGBTQIA+............................................... 20
B’nai Mitzvah....................................... 21 Events at a Glance............................. 22 Catering with Laura........................... 24
North Suburban Synagogue Beth El 1175 N. Sheridan Road Highland Park, IL 60035 (847) 432-8900 www.nssbethel.org
1. Upgrade your latkes. Start with the potatoes and oil to remind us of the holiday’s miracles. But then add some fun. Chef Laura Frankel suggests creating a toppings bar with a choice of additional toppings, like guacamole. Or consider using latkes as “bread” for meat sandwiches or grilled cheese (separately, of course!). 2. Check out Beth El’s online resources. Go to https://www.nssbethel.org/worship/holidays-at-home/ for a Hanukkah Table Talk conversation-starter and a separate allin-one colorful guide complete with blessings and instructions. Look for our 5 in 5 Hanukkah video here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/videos.
making miracles “in those days and in our time.” What miracles do you see around us? Can something be a miracle if people make it happen instead of/alongside G-d? 6. Consider who the Maccabbees are today. The word “Maccabbee” is a Hebrew acronym for Mi Camocha BaElim Adonai מִי
הוה-בּאֵלִם י ָ מכ ָה ֹ ָכ Who is like You, G-d, among the mighty?” They fought for a purpose. What do you think it was? Who fights for the same purpose today?
3. Buy gifts for others who need. Ask your kids to choose a charity in lieu of their gifts for a night. Maimonides wrote that our joy can’t be complete when others can’t celebrate too. 4. Move the Hanukkiah next to the window (safely).This allows for maximum visibility, which highlights the miracle as much as possible. Pirsum HaNes, publicizing the miracle, is what the holiday is all about. 5. Discuss the big ideas. In the second blessing over the candles, we thank G-d for
7. Sing Maoz Tzur. In addition to the blessings, this tune is so catchy. This beautiful song tells the story of Jewish history in just a few lines.
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DEC 2019/JAN/FEB 2020 | KOL BETH EL | 1