Friday, December 11, 2015

Shabbat-O-Gram for December 11

Shabbat-O-Gram 


 
Mayor Martin joins TBE kids in lighting the menorah at Government Center yesterday (Stamford Advocate)

 
The mayor really enjoyed the latkes we gave him

Rehearsing for Friday night's service!

Shabbat Shalom and Happy Hanukkah!

I hope you can join us tonight.  We have over 200 coming to our dinner at 5:45, and since that is already "sold out," if you have not reserved, by all means still come to our really musical Hanukkah service at 7 PM (note the early start time).  As you can see from the above photo, our kids have been rehearsing!  

  • Also, see this article describing the efforts of TBE's Andrew Sverdlove and Marge Pavlov to clean up the Czescik Park estuary in Stamford, with the help of the mayor and other volunteers.  Just as with the Maccabees cleaning up the temple, some of our city's natural beauty has been restored.  
Menorah Stories

Our theme for this Shabbat Hanukkah is the mysterious and magical menorah.  Every menorah tells a story.  Click here for the story of the Hammerman family menorah.
Yesterday I asked for people to send me photos of their menorahs, as well as photos of their families lighting them.  Dozens were sent (thank you to everyone who did), which I've included in our online Hanukkah album.  A montage from this album will be on display in our lobby throughout the weekend.  There you can see some of the mitzvah projects our students have been doing for the holiday, as well as an interfaith teen encounter we hosted last night; also some students baked "Hallah-menorahs" ("hall-orahs?") for tonight.

 

If only Anne Frank and about 6 million others could see the menorah depicted above, photographed last night by my son Dan, who is spending some time in Berlin on this holiday.  That's the true miracle of Hanukkah - that we Jews are still here, while those who committed that monstrous crime are not.  BTW, Dan was also featured in this profile written by TBE's Alli Green.
        
Please continue to send your menorah photos, as I'll keep updating the album as they come in.  See just a few of them below:

 
 
 

    

I've also included in our Hanukkah album  photos of some historic menorahs and the menorahs selected for display at the White House Hanukkah reception this week, which was attended by the President of Israel.  Each of these menorahs tells a story.

 
On Shabbat morning, we'll continue to discuss the evolving symbolism of the menorah.
See below some of depictions of the menorah from ancient and medieval sources, including coins from the Roman era, the frieze of the Arch of Titus in Rome, ancient synagogue art and kabbalistic motifs. 
    

Finally, plan to join us for Tuesday night's premiere of our "Hot Topics for Cold Months" series (flyer is at bottom).  I had the chance to meet with our guest Dusty Rader a few weeks ago at Tapestry, and the session was very moving - and important.  Tuesday night we will expand on this topic even more.  Be here to welcome Dusty - and tell your friends!

And really finally, a special mazal tov to Cantor Mordecai and family on Gabriella's becoming Bat Mitzvah in White Plains this weekend.

Shabbat Shalom, and may our homes - and our world - be filled with the light of love and peace.

 
Green Laser Menorah, Tel Aviv 2011

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