THE VOICE
Rededication
Rabbi Ari Lucas
How do you take a classic and make it your own? How do you adapt something familiar so that it can surprise and even delight you?
Those were the questions running through my mind after first hearing this remarkable rendition of Beethoven’s “Fur Elise” by John Batiste:
Hanukkah is a time when many of us strive to carry on family traditions. Perhaps the Hanukkiyah you use is a family heirloom. Maybe you use recipes passed down through the family when you prepare latkes or sufganiyot. I imagine there are particular songs or tunes that you associate with celebrating the holiday. Maybe your Aunt Sheila has been hosting the family Hanukkah party for decades.
The meaning of the word Hanukkah is “dedication” we celebrate the commitment our ancestors had to tradition but it’s also a rededication; in a time of persecution, the Maccabees felt it important to clean out and renew their dedication to the Temple and God.
This is a classic balancing act how do we take the received traditions and preserve them so that we are true to those who came before us, but also make space for innovation, creativity, and personalization? Tradition and change. One without the other, in my opinion, is inauthentic worship. If you simply “copy/paste” what generations before you have done, then what have you added? But if your innovations are not anchored in the past, they will be inauthentic.
This is a time for creative rethinking of so many traditional paradigms — Zionism, religious observance, and Jewish identity. It’s a time for rededicating ourselves to the principles that sustained our ancestors and us, but in a way that is uniquely our own.
Maybe start small. Think about how you might intentionally add your own spin to a family tradition this year. Try adding a little jalapeño to the family latke recipe to spice things up. Or offer a sweet potato alternative if you want things to be a little sweeter this year. Add a new song to the family holiday repertoire. Or invite a new friend to light candles with you one night.
Just like fire, tradition needs oxygen in order to thrive. If it’s suffocated, it’ll burn out. I look forward to hearing how you add more light to your Hanukkah this year and share that light with the entire world.
Happy Hanukkah!
Serotonin Machine
Shalom Chaverim!
There is a lot of anxiety among us, so it is our job to find what will bring some soothing serotonin into our brains. The picture accompanying this shows you my serotonin machine. What is yours? What can you pull out of your coping toolbox to help you remember to spin a dreidel, breathe, sleep, and even smile (whether you want to smile or not; the act of smiling tricks our brains into releasing the good hormones).
Let’s remember that we have each other — family, friends, community the most important tool of all! Please don’t hesitate to contact me for information, encouragement, or just to share our voices. Chag Hanukkah Sameach!
Rabbi Ari Lucas is CAI’s Senior Rabbi.
Emily is the daughter of congregants Michelle and Carl Schaerf. Michelle is a teacher in our Lerner ECC.
Andrea Malmud is CAI’s JFS Zeller Family Social Worker.
Andrea Malmud
The wedding of Emily and Dylan Margolin
Illuminating Our Way in the Dark
Susan Werk
Studies have shown and experts have emphasized the importance of a good night’s sleep to enable us to remain healthy and ready to tackle each new day. Recommendations for creating the ideal sleeping environment usually include that it be a cool, dark room. Think about a bear hibernating in a lightless cave, getting months of regenerative slumber — a similar space is perfect for us.
For some of us, however, being in that darkness presents some problems. If we need to get up during the night, we tend to stumble around and trip over a sleeping dog, a pair of shoes we neglected to put away, or a piece of furniture that we could swear wasn’t there before. So those of us who may experience a dark room as an obstacle course need just a little light perhaps a night light to assist us in navigating our way around those “stumbling blocks.”
The Jewish people are blessed to have helpful “night lights.” In the Torah we learn of two light-filled symbols: Exodus 25:31-40 describes the seven-branched menorah, or lamp, lighting up the area of the portable tabernacle at night; and in Exodus 27:20 we read the directive “to cause a lamp to burn continually” — the concept of a Ner Tamid (eternal light).
The seven-branched menorah and the Ner Tamid are fixed items in our synagogue environment that carry important meanings. The menorah symbolizes the story of God’s Creation, and the Ner Tamid, the light of Torah learning and the tenets these interpretations we read candle, and the Torah is light soul of man” (Proverbs 20:27
Light is presented again and again as an emblem for Torah, mitzvot, God’s hand in our world, and the human soul.
The need to celebrate light during the darkest time of the year makes perfect sense. The chief ritual of Hanukkah — also known, of course, as the Festival of Lights — reminds us that light signifies the promised dispelling of the darkness.
One of our Lerner ECC students exploring our annual Light Studio, assembled by ECC Administrative Assistant Jessica Pablo.
The conquering Maccabees, after reclaiming the Temple in 164 BCE, lit the Ner Tamid, the menorah, thus rekindling what shines as the symbol of God’s presence. In celebration of conquest, light becomes a victory symbol. When the rabbis later established Hanukkah as a holiday, they instructed us to light the Hanukkiyah, the special nine-branched holiday menorah, according to the thinking of Hillel to increase the number of flames lit each day instead of following the teaching of Shammai, who suggested starting the holiday with the lighting of all the flames and then decrease that number by one each day. It’s clear what motivated that choice: We are here to increase the light, not diminish it.
Of course there are more activist ways to increase the “light” in our world, especially at this time of year. We have so many opportunities to do acts of kindness: food drives, toy drives, giving tzedakah, volunteering to help others. Just like in our nighttime bedrooms, when obstacles left on the floor can cause us to trip in the dark, we seek a “night light” to show us where we’re going; performing gemilut chasadim acts of lovingkindness can spark the light that will illuminate dark times.
Chag Urim Sameyach — Happy Festival of Light!
Susan Werk is CAI’s Education Director.
Land of Milk and Honey — and Sweets and Spices and Teas
Cantor Joel Caplan
There are so many serious things I could write about: the hostages, Israel, antisemitism, America, Ukraine, Amsterdam…. But instead, here’s a bit of sweet fluff. Sometimes we need that, too. One day on a recent trip to Israel, we weren’t thinking about rockets. We were at a candy store in Modi’in. This is where Nancy’s brother lives and where Rabbi Silverstein’s son, David, lives along with maybe 120,000 others. This is a video of the shop.
And here are some signs in that store. Which of these can you read?
Hints: Try to read the biggest letters they’re usually black or red. These are all words you know — they’re just written in Hebrew letters. They’re names of sweets, spices, or teas. (You’ll also see the brand name “Na’ama” in white letters on a red background.) I hope YOU will go and enjoy the sweetness of Israel soon!
Cantor Joel Caplan
A Day of Wonder
Teachers Embrace Professional Development and
the Legacy of Mr. Rogers
Geula Zamist
At our annual day o learning in Novem educators from the Lerner Early Childh Center joined over colleagues from ac the Greater MetroW area to pause, refle and deepen their commitment to tea excellence. This de time for profession development provi valuable opportuni
Teachers immer essential topics in Brain developm Strategies for s Integrating yog Creative applica The Enduring Wisd
The highlight of of “When You Won
Lessons for Raising Creative, Curious, Caring Kids. Participants were intrigued to discover how modern science validates the educational approaches that Mr. Rogers championed years ago. Each teacher received a copy of the book, which will serve as a foundation for ongoing professional development in the months ahead.
Beyond the structured learning sessions, teachers cherished the opportunity to connect with colleagues over a shared meal. These informal conversations allowed educators to exchange classroom experiences and teaching strategies, strengthening our professional community.
Our commitment to nurturing wonder aligns perfectly with the day’s themes. At the Lerner ECC, we recognize that children’s natural curiosity drives meaningful learning experiences. The insights gained from this professional development day, particularly from the Mr. Rogers-inspired presentation, provided teachers with concrete strategies to cultivate
From left: Orna, Esther, Erin, and Robin a few of our incredible Lerner ECC staff members.
habits of mind in young learners, develop social awareness, and create opportunities for discovery and exploration.
In today’s fast-paced digital world, we take pride in offering our students spaces to slow down, wonder, and make discoveries at their own pace. This professional development day allowed our teachers to model this same approach through their own learning journey.
This enriching Early Childhood Day of Learning Conference was made possible through the generous support of the Cooperman Family Fund for a Jewish Future of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater MetroWest NJ and donors to the UJA Annual Campaign. Their commitment to educational excellence continues to enhance our teaching community.
Geula Zamist is CAI’s Lerner Early Childhood Center Director.
Gifts to Last For Generations
The CAI Legacy Circle
One of the miracles of Hanukkah is that the small amount of oil lasted, and the menorah burned brightly for 8 days. Many miracles happen each day at CAI because you and many other congregants rise to the call throughout the year with generous donations. But what happens when you’re no longer here to make those gifts? Who will keep the flame burning, keep the miracles coming? The answer is simple – YOU –through the CAI Legacy Circle.
This group of forward-thinking c future of Agudath Israel. Each of th their will or retirement plan to ensu place to pray, learn, and gather. You can join them.
Making a legacy gift to CAI sends powerful message to your family an friends about your values, and it’s a gift that doesn’t cost anything duri your lifetime. It’s for the future, yet we’ll celebrate you today and every day for your generosity.
We invite you to join the CAI Lega Circle and illuminate the synagogue community’s path forward. Please contact our Legacy Circle Chair, Shani Drogin sdrogin@agudath.org or our Development Associate, Mar Shearin mshearin@agudath.org for more information. Wishing you a w
Congregant Tikva Bakal with Lerner ECC students during our Grandfriends Hanukkah party.
Hanukkah Miracles
Rabbi Paula Mack Drill
When we light our candles this year, we might consider three different miracles symbolized by the Hanukkiyah (Hanukkah menorah).
In the Talmud, the rabbis teach about a cruse of oil that, although it appeared to be enough for one day alone, burned instead for eight days. This is the miracle that many of us learned about as children and that we continue to teach to every generation of children. As with all stories we learn as children, we might take umbrage if someone were to suggest that this narrative might not be exactly true. Yet, if we take this miracle literally, it promotes a belief in supernatural intervention and might seem to devalue human effort. On the other hand, it certainly offers a pause in the brokenness and difficulty of our days to feel just for the moment of lighting the candles that God intervenes in history. A moment of k’ilu, “as if,” that allows us to breathe more freely.
The second miracle is about the resilience of our ancestors, lifting up the human action required to change the world. The Maccabees found themselves in an untenable position. They recognized that they were without arms or strength, outnumbered, and with the odds clearly not in their favor. They fought the Syrian-Greeks anyway because they could not tolerate living lives of forced assimilation and servitude. And they were victorious. Under Judah Maccabee’s leadership, they reentered the Temple in Jerusalem and reclaimed their religious way of life.
And here again is the third, and perhaps most applicable, miracle. The Maccabees wanted to rededicate the Temple but knew that the amount of pure oil they found could not possibly keep the Ner Tamid (Eternal Light) lit for the length of time it would take to procure more oil.
They lit that small amount of oil anyway.
When we are able to dream of a protecting God, we might just go ahead and light that single cruse of oil. When we are willing to believe that more is possible than meets the eye, we may just invest time and effort in things that appear improbable, or even impossible like the Maccabean Revolt, making a new community after exile, rebuilding a life after a pogrom, rising up from the ashes of the Shoah, or declaring the Independence of Israel in 1948.
When we see miracles all around us, in God’s hands and in our own, we find the strength and hope to roll up our sleeves and do the work required to be the light in times of darkness.
Don’t wait for permission from the darkness to shine your light. Each of us in our way can be the miracle the world needs today.
Rabbi Paula Mack Drill is CAI’s Rabbi-in-Residence.
Welcome New Members!
Francine and Thomas Andrea
Gwen Sininsky Bandes and Glen Bandes
Christine and Jeffrey Bartfeld with Ryan and Hunter
Chloe Berger
Rochelle Boshak
Lisa Bronson with Ava and Parker
Jessica Stein and Ethan Cohen
Catherine and Steven Frank with Nathaniel, Ella, Emma, and Lila
Denise and Stephen Freedman
Jill and David Goldman with Townes
Ariel and Gary Goldstein with Emerson and Jackson
Michelle Hofmann and Igal Golubov with Danielle, Maya, and Anna
Jessica and Todd Klavens with Ethan and Harper
Emily and Oren Klein with Rayne and Isla
Lauren and Eitan Kohan with Nathan and Eliora
Joshua Krakow
Lee and Brandon Lang with Billie and Drew
Jessica and Alon Mass with Skylar, Asher, and Layla
Samantha and Ken McHugh with Ryan, Bryn, and Jaeden
Adrianne and Evan Nass with Layla and Lexi
Ashley and Noah Plotnicki with Jacob and Lily
Rachel and Joshua Reisberg with Samuel, Jacob, and Benjamin
Erica Resnick with Bex
Irene Resnick
Rachel Rodriguez Rosen and David Rosen
Ruth Rosenstein
Lindsay and Gregory Ross with Eli
Amy Rothman Schonfeld and Steven Schonfeld
Samantha and Brian Shepard with Leni
Inna Soybelman and Alex Smolovich with Violet and Michelle
Ariel and Benjamin Sperling with Callie
Alycia and Jon Stockman with Paige and Brody
Jordyn and Jordan Suchoff with Zoey and Devon
Michelle and Alexander Svecharny with Mila and Noa
Steven Winter
Cynthia and David Wormser
Thank you for helping to spread the word about our special community and all we have to offer. Being invested in Jewish community is important now more than ever. Keep telling your friends, family, and neighbors about your meaningful experiences here. YOU are our most successful advertising! Contact Membership and Community Relations Director Debbie Lurie at 973-226-3600, ext. 118 or dlurie@agudath.org.
Join us for our upcoming community-wide
Find classes, events, service times, and registration at agudath.org/calendar.
December 25, 2024
December 26, 2024
December 26, 2024
December 30, 2024
January 11, 2025
January 12, 2025
January 18, 2025
January 19-20, 2025
January 25, 2025
January 31, 2025
February 1, 2025
February 7, 2025
CAI’s Hanukkah Celebration
West Caldwell Hanukkah Candle Lighting
Roseland Hanukkah Candle Lighting
Caldwell Hanukkah Candle Lighting
7th Annual Comedy Night
Blood Drive
Community Cook-off
MLK Day of Service Project
Mock Trial with NJ Supreme Court Associate Justice Rachel Wainer Apter
Friday Night Shabbat Dinner with Ramah Berkshires Associate Director Alana Tillman
Membership Shabbat Join us in celebrating our members from our newest to 50+ years during Shabbat morning services & Kiddush!
Super Bowl Shabbat
CAI shofar blowers of all ages at Daughters of Israel in West Orange blowing shofar for homebound community members ahead of the High Holy Days.