GIVING DIFFERENTLY AT HANUKKAH

December 7 – 13

“This year, my family is going to give within our family of four, but we are also going to give outwardly. Our hope is to honor the essence of the holiday — the courage of the Maccabees and being the light in dark months — while also supporting communities that we care deeply about. Instead of eight nights of gifts for each member of our family, this year we will share our gratitude in the following ways:

  • 🕎 FIRST NIGHT — Gifts for the kids from grandparents

  • 🕎 SECOND NIGHT — Gifts for the parents

  • 🕎 THIRD NIGHT — Gifts for the kids from parents

  • 🕎 FOURTH NIGHT — Tzedakah to benefit a cause to better the lives of Israelis and/or Palestinians (see ideas here)

  • 🕎 FIFTH NIGHT — Gifts for the kids from extended family or friends

  • 🕎 SIXTH NIGHT — A gift for the whole family to enjoy

  • 🕎 SEVENTH NIGHT — Tzedakah to protect our spiritual home (Congregation Beth Sholom Security Fund)

  • 🕎 EIGHTH NIGHT — Gifts for the kids from parents

This is one model. Maybe your Hanukkah nights won’t look exactly like this. Whether you have a family at home, live alone, are empty nesters or have family far away, I encourage you to think beyond the traditional and come up with something that works for you. We can each celebrate the gift of giving and receiving, and, in the process, share this important lesson with our children, grandchildren, and beyond.”

— Rabbi Amanda Russell

chesed v’tzedek Hanukkah Donation drive

December 1 – 16

Winter is here and Beth Sholom's Chesed v’Tzedek Committee is getting into the Hanukkah spirit by gathering adult coats, men's pants and hotel-sized toiletries, razors, and toothbrushes for those in need through San Francisco based Gubbio Project.  New, clean, and gently worn coats, pants and unopened hotel size toiletries can be brought to the synagogue between December 1 – 16. We will donate all that we have gathered on December 18. Thank you for being a part of this tzedakah effort.

Chag Urim Sameach — Happy Hanukkah!

Community Conversation and Candle Lighting with Rabbi Gershom Sizomu

Wednesday, December 13
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Get to know Rabbi Gershom Sizomu, spiritual leader in the Abayudaya Jewish community in Uganda. Rabbi Sizomu will enlighten us about the origins of the Abayudaya community, the challenges of living as a Jew in Uganda, all topped off with the music of the Abayudaya. Not to be missed!

Light snacks and beverages will be served. This event is free and open to all. RSVP required.

HANUKKAH LEARNING with Rabbi DOROTHY RICHMAN

Thursday, December 14
~8:15 a.m. following minyan

Come learn about Judith, Hanukkah heroine extraordinaire.

PAST EVENTS

REDEDICATION: A Hanukkah Shabbaton with Hadar and Rabbi David Kasher

December 8 – 9

Hadar is a center of Jewish life, learning, and practice that builds vibrant egalitarian communities in North America and Israel. Hadar has expanded their presence to California and we are thrilled to welcome their new Director of Hadar West Coast, Rabbi David Kasher, as our scholar-in-residence. On this Shabbat of Hanukkah, we will explore one of the central themes of the holiday: rededication. Together we will consider what it means to reclaim sacred space after it has been defiled by violence, and ask what lessons the story of Hanukkah holds for us as we make our way though the current crisis.

This Shabbaton will also serve as an introduction to the culture of the Beit Midrash, the traditional center of Jewish learning, in preparation for four upcoming Beit Midrash sessions, here at CBS this spring, led by Rabbi Kasher and Rabbi Richman

This Shabbaton with The Hadar Institute and Rabbi David Kasher was generously sponsored by Joseph Allerhand, our New York City friend.

  • Friday, December 8

    SING Kabbalat Shabbat
    5:30 p.m. nosh, 6:00 p.m. service
    A musical Kabbalat Shabbat

    Followed by dinner and learning ~ 7:15 p.m.

    Rededicating Ourselves: Models of Jewish Resilience
    Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Temple after it was defiled by Greek armies. But there have been other attacks on our most sacred spaces throughout history, and we have responded in different ways, given the needs of the moment.

    Registration for dinner and learning is closed.

  • Saturday, December 9

    Hanukkah: A Holiday for Parents
    10:30 a.m. in the Board Room

    The word Hanukkah is related to the Hebrew word for ‘education,’ hinukh. But what does this holiday have to do with that hallmark Jewish value?
    For parents of Shabbat school-aged children (approx. 30 minutes)

    Joseph: An Archetype of Jewish Leadership in Exile
    ~11:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary

    Join Rabbi Kasher for a d’var Torah.

    Dreaming Our Way Into the Future
    Lunch-n-learn, ~12:30 p.m.
    childcare available

    Joseph’s story is filled with dreams. From his youth, he is a vivid dreamer himself, and soon he becomes a master of dream interpretation. This is the skill that will launch him to great power and will guide his use of that power. From Joseph our people learned how to dream their way into the future.

Maccabee Mitzvah Day and Community Hanukkah Celebration

Sunday, December 10

Join us for a community wide celebration of the fourth night of Hanukkah!  Join our volunteer effort to rededicate our sacred temple with opportunities for hands-on beautification and restoration. Then, come together for a festive Hanukkah celebration — with a latke filled dinner, a New Orleans style brass band, a gelt making workshop and the lighting of the fourth Hanukkah candle!

Let's be the light and shine it on our spiritual home, and together we can perform the mitzvah of elevating our incredible space.

Don’t forget to bring a Hanukkah Menorah for our community lighting!

Maccabee Mitzvah Day
2:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Community Hanukkah Celebration
 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

$36 for Adult Members (Free for Children of Members Under 18)
$54 for Adult Non-Members
$18 for Children of Non-Members Under 18

Tickets include live music, full dinner, make-your-own-gelt with a chocolatier, dessert, open bar and more! Thank you for bringing your light to our celebration!

  • Bean-to-Gelt with Alex Voynow: a hands-on exploration of chocolate, Judaism, and the sweetness of Hanukkah, is an opportunity to explore the delicious magic of chocolate-making and the fascinating story of how Jewish history and chocolate as we know it are inextricably connected. Folks will participate in all of the steps of the chocolate-making process, from sorting raw cacao beans to wrapping freshly-made gelt in foil. As a former chocolate maker at Dandelion Chocolate and an educator at the Jewish Farm School, Jewish Farmer Network, Eden Village West summer camp, and Wilderness Torah, Alex brings a unique expertise to this sweet and Jewish twist on a familiar treat.

  • Are they French Quarter Jews? Or the Machers of Mardi Gras? Doesn't matter, either way the Adar Brass Band gonna light you up this Hanukkah with their unique blend of street-corner second line and festival favorites delivered with a genuine NOLA thump!

HANUKKAH LEARNING WITH RABBI RUSSELL

Monday, December 11
~8:15 a.m. following minyan (in-person and on Zoom)

We are taught in the Mishnah to place our Hanukkiah (Hanukkah menorah) in the window or outside of the door in order to publicize the miracle of Hanukkah — but with one exception. If we feel that we are in She’at Ha’d’khak, a moment of danger, we are taught that while publicizing the miracle is the central reason of the holiday, steps need not be taken if one perceives dangerous consequences. Are we in such a moment right now? How can we outwardly show our Jewish pride while taking steps to make us feel safe?