Chanukah
Chanukah
On Chanukah we celebrate the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after its defilement by the Syrian Greeks in 164 BCE, when the Jews successfully revolted against King Antiochus of the Seleucid Empire.
Judah the Maccabee, the eldest son of the priest Mattathias, led the revolt. The eight-day celebration was patterned after Sukkot, though later rabbinic tradition attributed the length of the festival to a miraculous small amount of oil that burned for eight days.
A central part of the holiday is the lighting of the chanukiah, or menorah, an eight-branched candelabrum to which one candle is added on each night of the holiday until the chanukiah is full of light on the eighth night. To commemorate the oil that kept the menorah lit, we eat foods fried in oil, such as latkes and jelly donuts.
Each year Havurah hosts at least one Chanukah celebration, bringing people of all ages together for singing, candle lighting, story telling, and more. The popular CD, "Just in Time for Chanukah," was produced by Havurah Music Coordinator Ilene Safyan and Havurah founding member Margie Rosenthal. You can find many of their songs here on CD Baby.
Tue, April 30 2024
22 Nisan 5784
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Upcoming Events
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Tuesday ,
AprApril 30 , 2024
Tuesday, Apr 30th 7:00p to 7:30p
[RSVP to be emailed a recording of the April 9 intro session.] The Omer is an ancient tradition marking time between the Exodus from the Narrow Place to the Expanse at Sinai. Explore tools and practices to facilitate your own learning and experience from Liberation to Revelation. We will have an intro class followed by half-hour check-ins, one for each Sephira. Led by Andrine de la Rocha. 7 pm, Tuesdays, Apr. 9 (Intro), 23 (Chesed), 30 (Gevurah); May 7 (Tiferet), 14 (Netzach), 21 (Hod), 28 (Yesod); Jun. 4 (Malchut) Led by Andrine de la Rocha. -
Tuesday ,
AprApril 30 , 2024
Tuesday, Apr 30th 7:00p to 8:30p
February 1862. The Civil War is less than one year old. The fighting has begun in earnest, and the nation has begun to realize it is in for a long, bloody struggle. Meanwhile, President Lincoln’s beloved eleven-year-old son, Willie, lies upstairs in the White House, gravely ill. In a matter of days, despite predictions of a recovery, Willie dies and is laid to rest in a Georgetown cemetery. “My poor boy, he was too good for this earth,” the president says at the time. “God has called him home.” Newspapers report that a grief-stricken Lincoln returns, alone, to the crypt several times to hold his boy’s body. From that seed of historical truth, George Saunders spins an unforgettable story of familial love and loss that breaks free of its realistic, historical framework into a supernatural realm both hilarious and terrifying. -
Thursday ,
MayMay 2 , 2024
Thursday, May 2nd 11:00a to 3:00p
This exhibit is about science and art. It is meant to be a learning experience, about the top 60 solutions to climate change, as researched by over 5,000 scientists. And most importantly it is about hope. It is about learning about these solutions to climate change and changing the hearts and minds of those around us, so that we can all work together. Anne Nesse, 2024 -
Thursday ,
MayMay 2 , 2024
Thursday, May 2nd 7:00p to 8:30p
We will break the event planning process into manageable steps. Led by Chari Smith. We will meet in Zoom room Gimel -
Thursday ,
MayMay 2 , 2024
Thursday, May 2nd 7:00p to 8:15p
Using Buber's The Tales of Rabbi Nachman, we will look at the life of Rabbi Nachman, his teachings, and his profound stories. The class will involve some meditation and journaling to help us reflect. Led by Harriet Cooke. -
Saturday ,
MayMay 4 , 2024
Shabbat, May 4th 10:00a to 12:00p
We will chant verses and spend time in silent prayer or meditation, then connect through Torah discussion and share blessings. Led by Rabbi Benjamin. -
Saturday ,
MayMay 4 , 2024
Shabbat, May 4th 3:00p to 5:15p
This program gives children a foundation for lifelong Jewish learning and engagement while integrating parents and children in a caring Jewish community. -
Sunday ,
MayMay 5 , 2024
Sunday, May 5th 10:00a to 12:00p
A schmear & schmooze brunch at Havurah Shalom from the Havurah Welcoming Committee for new members, newish members, and any Havurahniks who would appreciate being welcomed in again and learning about new ways to become more connected within the community. Questions? Contact Wendy Castineira. -
Monday ,
MayMay 6 , 2024
Monday, May 6th 1:00p to 4:00p
We are excited to bring mahjong back to Havurah. It is a fun, social activity that builds community, encouraging new friendships and cementing old ones. And while some of us may play elsewhere as well, we all agreed that restoring its place as an ongoing congregational activity will be a good fit for Havurah and those of us who play or want to learn the game. So please don't hesitate to join us! -
Monday ,
MayMay 6 , 2024
Monday, May 6th 7:00p to 8:30p