Rabbi's Weekly Teaching

Weekly Teaching By Rabbi Mitchell M. Hurvitz rabbimitch@templesholom.com
"Keep the Lights Burning" FIDF Musical Ensemble Concert & Community Chanukah Celebration Sunday, Dec. 12th, 3:30 pm
Parashat Vayeshev November 26, 2010 Teaching by Rabbi Mitch rabbimitch@templesholom.com Chanukah is coming early this year. Fortunately, it lets us have a head start on the holiday season. When we take the time to participate in the mitzvah of lighting the Chanukah menorah we are rekindling God's light amidst a world that too often appears to us gloomy and dark. With each light lit, we Jewishly reaffirm our faith in a world that will never lose hope and never give into despair. Chanukah recalls our story of the victorious Maccabees who defeated the much more powerful Greeks. When we recall the miracle of the oil that was enough for one day, yet lasted eight, the greatest miracle of all is the Jewish heart that would have lit the oil knowing there wasn't enough to last, but, believing in the possibility of miracles nevertheless. Chanukah comes during the darkest time of the year. Winter is setting in. The sun's presence has been shortened during our awakened hours. So, we bring the light and warmth back into our lives with our Festival of Lights. The Jewish reality is we do this miraculous ritual behavior each and every week; when we light our Shabbat candles to begin the Sabbath, and our Havdallah candle to end the sabbath. God's day of rest; our utopian 24 hour island in time; is a day bookended by God's light being present in our lives. Lighting a candle for each day of the week during Chanukah, and then one extra day for good measure, is a reminder that we should never go anywhere without living up to our moral spiritual charge by God: "Be a light unto the nations". This Chanukah, rekindle our light and help make brighter the divine lights of all others. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Shabbat Shalom & Happy Chanukah!! -Rabbi Mitch
Temple Sholom 300 E. Putnam Avenue Greenwich, CT 06830 203-869-7191

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Temple Sholom Weekly E-Bulletin

Temple Sholom E-Bulletin November 25, 2010 Friday, November 26 The Temple is closed Sunday, November 28 The Religious School is closed Monday, November 29 The Selma Maisel Nursery School Bookfair Begins Wednesday, December 1 Toy Drive Begins Thursday, December 2 Blessings of the Skinned Knee, A Celebration of Light Candle Lighting Friday, Nov. 26 4:11 pm Temple Sholom's Worship Schedule Friday, Nov. 26 6:30- 7:15 pm Saturday, Nov. 27 9:30 am - 12:00 pm Sunday, Nov. 28 8:30 - 9:15 am Temple Sholom Simcha Corner Mazel Tov to: Josh Handler, for being selected to participate in the New York State School Music Association's All State Band. Adam Sands, on signing a letter of intent to play lacrosse at Lehigh University. Warren & Rebecca Bradley on the birth of a son, Henry Anthony. Chanukah at Temple Sholom 1st Night of Chanukah is Wednesday, December 1st Toy Drive Wednesday, December 1st - Tuesday, December 21 "Celebration of Light" Candle Lighting/Tree Lighting Thursday, December 2nd, 6 pm at Christ Church Selma Maisel Nursery School Class Parties Thursday, December 2nd & Friday, December 3rd YCFS Latkes & Pajamas Friday, December 3rd, 5:30 pm Religious School Creative Arts Program (CAP) Exhibition Sunday, December 5th,10 am - 11:30 am USY Party Sunday, December 5th, 3 - 6 pm Story Time and Music with Rabbi Mitch & Cantor Asa Wednesday, December 8th, 4:30 pm "Keep The Lights Burning" Community Post-Chanukah Party Sunday, December 12th, 3:30 pm For more information about any of these programs, contact Alice Schoen at 203-542-7165 or at alice.schoen@templesholom.com Sisterhood's Mahjongg for the Masses Monday, December 10th and the 2nd Monday of EVERY month. RSVP required: Phyllis Shapiro at 203-637-7809 or wigini@gmail.com Rabbi Mitch's Thanksgiving Teaching Many of you know that my favorite slogan is, "Cultivate an Attitude for Gratitude!!" Our attitude for gratitude molds and shapes our lives. Our spiritual ancestors understood this, and this is why they offered their daily sacrifices of Thanksgiving. The Psalmist was correct when he noted it is "good for us to give thanks!!" (Psalm 92) Click here to see the full version of this week's Teaching by Rabbi Mitch. Selma Maisel Nursery School Bookfair Monday, November 29th thru Friday, December 3rd, 8:45 am - 2:00 pm and 4 - 6 pm on Tuesday, November 30th Lots of books for everyone, pre-school age to adults. Come and buy some Chanukah gifts and support the Selma Maisel Nursery School at the same time. Holiday Toy Drive Wednesday, December 1st - Tuesday, December 21st Bring new, unwrapped toys to our collection bins. All gifts will be donated to the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty. The Toy Drive is in conjunction with UJA Federation of New York/Westchester and UJA Federation of Greenwich. Celebration of Light Thursday, December 2nd, 6 pm at Christ Church Co-sponsored with The Sholom Center, a joint project between Temple Sholom and Christ Church. Come enjoy some hot cider and holiday cheer. We will sing some holiday songs, led by our choir and Christ Church's choir, light a menorah and help our friends next door light their Christmas tree. YCFS Latkes and Pajamas Friday, December 3rd, 5:30 pm Join us for a special Chanukah edition of Young Children's Family Service with Reb Allison and special guest, Sheldon Low. Kids should come in their pajamas! Come sing songs, celebrate Chanukah & Shabbat and enjoy home-made latkes. To rsvp, contact Alice Schoen, 203-542-716 or alice.schoen@templesholom.com Using Jewish Teachings to Raise Self-Reliant Children Wenesdays, December 2nd, 9th, & 16th 9:30 - 10:30 am Join Reb Allison for a parenting discussion series based on the book, "The Blessing of the Skinned Knee" by Wendy Mogel, PH.D. To rsvp, contact Alice Schoen at (203) 542-7165 or alice.schoen@templesholom.com "Keep the Lights Burning" a Post Community Chanukah Celebration, December 12th 3:30 pm Come dance, sing and enjoy a special concert with the FIDF (Friends of the Israel Defense Forces) musical ensemble. Then its party time! We will have a DJ, food, games & arts & crafts and more... All of the local Jewish organizations have been invited to participate, so invite your friends! For more information, call Alice Schoen, (203) 542-7165. In and Around the Community... Birthright Israel & Friends - Dessert reception, Tuesday, December 7th, 7:30 pm at the home of Alice Baron and Michael Delikat, 5 Cooper Beech Rd, Greenwich. Come hear how you can pass on the extraordinary gift of a Birthright trip to more of Greenwich's Jewish young adults. RSVP to Beth Dindas at 212-457-0045 or Alice Baron at alicebaron2@gmail.com. AJC Westchester's "Israel...New Perspectives", Saturday, December 11th, 8:00 pm. An elegant evening featuring Israeli wine tasting, Israeli snacks and an exciting discussion of the award winning Israeli wine industry. Tickets are $36 pp, limited to 50. Event is being held in Port Chester at Congregation KTI. For more information contact, AJC at 914.948.5585 or westchester@ajc.org Discover Schechter Westchester, Tuesday, December 14th at 8 pm. at the home of Steve & Elizabeth Katz. For more information and to rsvp, call Diana Schutt at 914-948-3111 ext. 4370 or email her at dschutt@solomon-schechter.com

Temple Sholom | 300 East Putnam Avenue | Greenwich | CT | 06830