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ALMANAC WEEKLY
KIDS’ ALMANAC
Nov. 21-28 HOLIDAYS
On the Hebrew calendar, 25 Kislev falls on November 27 this year. That means that Hanukkah arrives on the early side, putting the Festival of Lights alongside the Thanksgiving holiday. I wondered about the role of spiritual community to support a family’s faith journey during the holidays and beyond. Rabbi Jonathan Kligler of the Woodstock Jewish Congregation explains, “Spiritual community gives structure and support to individuals and families. For those who have chosen the Jewish path, for example, just knowing that a whole web of people that you know are celebrating at the same time and in the same way gives strength to carve out the time for one’s own spiritual practice. This is especially crucial in our world that runs 24/7, with no breaks for sacred time. All the more so for Jews, with the commercial Christmas onslaught in full gear since Halloween: Having a community that shares your practice really helps when you are a minority culture. In addition to the yearly cycle of Jewish holidays, the weekly Sabbath is really the anchor of Jewish spiritual life. For those who make the rhythm of Sabbath integral to their lives, a Jewish spiritual community provides a weekly opportunity for respite and renewal in sacred community.”
DION OGUST | ALMANAC WEEKLY
Rabbi Jonathan Kligler of the Woodstock Jewish Congregation
Ruth Quinn in New Paltz ties in an annual practice of giving: “We have a unique tradition in our family. For each candle we light we do a mitzvah (a good deed). Before Hanukkah season starts, we consider each candle to represent something: Self, Family, Friend, Neighbor, Community, Nature, Environment, World. We brainstorm what we are going to do for each one. So, for instance, we typically bake cookies for our neighbors, and we attach a note to it that says that we are going to come back and collect food for Family on New Paltz. We usually do something for birds for our nature project, but this year, the kids want to focus on mammals.” Rabbi Kligler shares his personal tradition: “Hanukkah is primarily observed in the home. At our house, we have a custom of not only adding a candle each night, but an additional menorah. That way, by the eighth night we have eight menorahs blazing. We go through a lot of candles, but it is the Festival of Lights, after all.”
Public menorah lightings Wednesday, November 27, 4 p.m. on the Walkway over the Hudson at the center bump-out. Monday, December 2, 6 p.m., on the front lawn of the Thorne Building on Franklin Avenue in Millbrook. Lighting every day at 3:30 p.m. and on Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Poughkeepsie Civic Center. This is the larg-
“THE DARKNESS of the whole world cannot swallow the glowing of a candle.” – Robert Altinger
our daily lives.” Temple Beth Elohim is located at 31 Mount Ebo Road North in Brewster. For more information, call (845) 279-4585 or visit www.templebethelohim.org.
Hanukkah happenings at Rhinebeck Jewish Center
Happy early Hanukkah!
How is Hanukkah being celebrated in the Hudson Valley?
November 21, 2013
est menorah in the Mid-Hudson Valley. Yes We “Can” menorah lightings created from donated canned goods: Sunday, December 1, 3 to 5 p.m. at the Poughkeepsie Galleria on Route 9 and Wednesday, December 4, 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Food Court at the Hudson Valley Mall on Route 9W in Kingston. The Yes We “Can” events include the Fabulous Bubble Trouble show; Hanukkah crafts and face-painting; meet Judah the Maccabee; decorate your own donut; and hot latkes and drinks. For more information about the public lightings, call (845) 463-5801 or visit www.chabadmidhudsonvalley.com.
Woodstock Jewish Congregation hosts Hanukkah Extravaganza In terms of music, Rabbi Kligler mentioned this interesting bit: “A few years ago the Klezmatics discovered Hanukkah lyrics that Woody Guthrie had composed when his children were young, and set them to music. One of those songs has become a standard here.” Perhaps you will hear that song at the Hanukkah Extravaganza this Sunday, November 24 from 1 to 4 p.m. Highlights include storytelling, children’s craft projects, dreidel games, gelt, sing-along with Rabbi Kligler and, of course, latkes! The Woodstock Jewish Congregation Hanukkah Sale/ Book Fair will also be open during the Extravaganza. Admission is free, with a nominal fee for
craft projects, but attendees are encouraged to bring a plate of latkes and another healthy potluck dish to share. The Woodstock Jewish Congregation is located at 1682 Glasco Turnpike in Woodstock. For more information, call (845) 679-2218 or visit www.wjcshul.org.
Ecumenical group sing at Temple Beth Elohim Cantorial soloist Robin Sills shares more on music: “Because I am in charge of the music program at Temple Beth Elohim in Brewster, I am always looking out for new and exciting ways to get the children and families involved through music. In our community we are very much involved with the other houses of worship in our area. Once a year the whole community of faith joins together in an ecumenical service to celebrate Thanksgiving. Through song and prayer we form a bond that has become an annual tradition. For Hanukkah, the children of our temple gather together to sing our favorite songs, which include ‘Hanukkah Oh Hanukkah,’ the ‘Dreydle Song,’ ‘How Many Candles?’ and the ‘Latke Song.’ “Each of our children brings an ageappropriate toy or useful gift to give to a child who is less fortunate. The most exciting moment comes when all the gifts are piled up and the kids can see how their generosity will benefit so many other children. That is what Hanukkah means to us at Temple Beth Elohim. We call these acts of kindness Tikun Olam (the healing of the world). This is the message we have embraced and will continue to practice in
Rabbi Hanoch and rebbetzin Tzivie Hecht of the Rhinebeck Jewish Center have some terrific Hanukkah events coming up. On Sunday, November 24 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., it’s Dreidel House, “a day of Hanukkah fun for the whole family!” Highlights include meeting Judah Maccabee, make-your-own donuts, a candlemaking workshop, a Hanukkah store, lots of new Hanukkah crafts and an olive oil workshop. Dreidel House takes place at the Starr Library, located at 68 West Market Street in Rhinebeck. The cost is $3 to $5 for crafts; the workshop is free. On Monday, December 2, Hecht’s Tiny Tots presents My Hanukkah Five Senses: “Take part in the fun and new exciting program for young children from 0 to 4 years. We will explore the wonders of this great holiday through all of our five senses.” A $5 donation per family is suggested, and reservations are required. The Contemporary Jewish Women’s Group hosts Miracle of the Oil, which takes place on Sunday, December 1 at 11 a.m.: “In honor of the miraculous oil of Hanukkah, stir up your own exotic blend of oil and fresh herbs for a fragrant display, cosmetic use or culinary delight. Top off with a Luscious Latke Bar.” All women are welcome to join the Contemporary Jewish Women’s Group regardless of background or affiliation. To register for any of these programs or for more information, call (845) 876-7666 or visit www.rhinebeckjewishcenter.com.
Art & latkes in Lake Katrine Debra Lundgren of Lomontville says, “Our congregation, Adat Chaim Messianic Synagogue, has an annual art show and celebration complete with latkes (sometimes even curry ones) on the Saturday during Hanukkah.” The art show takes place on Saturday, November 30 at 10 a.m., with a Shabbat service at 11 a.m., followed by latke Oneg. The Adat Chaim Messianic Synagogue is located at 71 Old Kings Highway in Lake Katrine. For more information, call (845) 340-4344 or visit http://adatchaim.net. In closing, I return you to Rabbi Kligler: “I would humbly suggest that folks make the effort simply to observe the holiday all eight nights. It is traditional to not work while the candles are burning, but simply to hang out together in the candlelight. This is an opportunity to spend 45 minutes with friends or family every night doing something pleasant together. That to me is a successful Hanukkah observance.”
Family traditions for Thanksgiving What are your family’s Thanksgiving traditions? Here are some ideas from Hudson Valley families. Sarah Coppola in Port Ewen: “Last year we started the tradition of making a Thanksgiving tree – basically twigs in a