Happy Chanukah from the Steering Committee
December 10, 2009
The Light of Chanukah
A Happy Chanukah to every Havurahnik, from the Steering Committee! May the oil of latkes and sufganiyot and the light from the candles on our Chanukiyot remind us that what’s simple and pleasing is also miraculous. Enjoy this time of reconnecting—with other Havurahniks, with the inspiring stories and music of our tradition, and with all who are celebrating warmth and light this time of year!
Happy, Illuminating Chanukah
December 7, 2009
May your Chanukah be a time of growing light, bringing illumination and clarity into the places that need it. Whether you are alone, with a partner, with children, with friends….this can be a time to take a few moments to focus on what brings brightness to your dark times, or what values you hold most dearly, for which you are willing to take a stand.
Please find below a link to my favorite website for learning more about Judaism and Jewish values; there are short pieces for people with every degree of knowledge and from a myriad of perspectives. There are many articles about the meaning, traditions, conflicts, food, culture of Chanukah. Click here for one chock-full website, myjewishlearning.com.
Also, in case you do not know the story of how the primarily non-Jewish town of Billings, Montana fought racism and antisemitism in the mid 1990s, in part, through putting up menorahs in their windows. I think you will find the following two links to be very interesting and inspiring:
Not in Our Town is the PBS recap of the story, with an interesting Portland connection.
Deborah Eisenbach-Budner
Havurah Shalom Educator
Parents: Will the Real Chanukah Please Stand Up?
December 2, 2009
Chanukah can be a complex holiday
We’ll look into the contentious historical roots of Chanukah, many of which parallel questions of adaptation and acculturation that we still contend with today!
We will try to articulate what we want Chanukah to really be about for our families as well as how to generally reclaim the holiday from commercialism and co-optation into the ‘Jewish Christmas’. We will discuss the particular challenges that we face at this time of year, as well. Please bring your thoughts, questions, family traditions, favorite children’s Chanukah books.
FREE and open to the public.
Click here to Register or call the office at 503-248-4662.
Saturday, December 5, 3:15-4:45 pm
Please RSVP ASAP.
Facilitator: Deborah Eisenbach-Budner.