Why do Hanukkah and Christmas
come on the same day this year?
Hanukkah falls on Kislev 25,
just as it does every year.
This year, incidentally, the Hebrew
month of Kislev coincides with the month of December.
And that’s how we end up
lighting the first candle on Erev Christmas.
I’m thinking about how best to
light up Hanukkah in eight different ways. “We have come to banish the darkness” is a contemporary Israeli Hanukkah song that speaks to the
darkness many of us may be feeling (whether due to personal issues or anxiety
about our country and the world).
Here are suggestions for
bringing more light into the world for every night of Hanukkah. Read them all
now so that you’re ready to welcome the lights of Hanukkah next week!
Night 1 (Saturday night, December 24)—lighting up the world
for 65 million refugees
When you say the blessings for
the first night and say the shehecheyanu
to give thanks for being alive to celebrate this holiday, add this prayer
from HIAS for the world’s refugees.
Night 2 (Sunday night, December 25)—lighting up our intergenerational
community
Second Night Light promises
to bring light to HBT members and friends of all ages with fun, joy, family,
and friendship. Come spin the dreidl with our youngest members and hear stories
of Hanukkahs past. Discover the magic of the HBT community. Bring your own
hanukkiyah (Hanukkah menorah) to light up the social hall.
Night 3 (Monday night, December 26)—lighting up with an
inspiring book/video
Snuggle up and enjoy Ezra Jack
Keats’ The Snowy Day. Did you know that Keats was Jewish? Read the
classic book that changed children’s literature in 1962,celebrate the author’s 100th birthday, and watch the streamed animated
special with a Hanukkah twist.
Night 4 (Tuesday night, December 27)—lighting up with Guilt-Free
Gelt
No, it’s not calorie-free. T’ruah
offers fair-trade Hanukkah gelt
(in milk and dark chocolate). Read this kavvanah and
enjoy your chocolate while lighting up your conscience!
Night 5 (Wednesday night, December 28)—lighting up our own
spirits
Maybe you can’t escape those
feelings of fear, anxiety, and loss. Maybe candles aren’t enough. RitualWell
offers prayers and rituals to find
healing in hard times. Have you ever visited
a mikveh? If you haven’t
watched it, see the Mayyim Hayyim video
that features HBT, Rabbi Penzner, and member Forbes Graham. Or watch it again.
Night 6 (Thursday night, December 29)—lighting up the
baseball diamond
Spring training is just eight
weeks away!
Get a taste of spring by
celebrating baseball—Jewish style.
Remember, relive, or become
acquainted with Hank Greenberg.
Not only was he the first famous Jewish player in the major leagues, but he had
a social conscience, too. Watch the film, “The Life and Times of
Hank Greenberg” (a terrific present
for Hanukkah fans and baseball fans alike!)
Night 7 (Shabbat, December 30)—lighting up the spirits of
people who are alone
This short essay in
Hadassah magazine can inspire you to be with someone who might be alone right
now. Invite them for Shabbat and candlelighting, or bring Shabbat and Hanukkah
to them. Cherish the moment. (Full disclosure: a FB friend drew my attention to
this article because the author quotes me in it. Besides that, it’s a very
moving piece.)
Night 8 (Saturday night, December 31)—lighting up the New
Year with rededication
That’s what Hanukkah means,
after all. How will you pick yourself up after 2016 and bring your light into
the world? Start off 2017 with resolve to recommit yourself to live the values
you espouse. Will you add an hour or two each week or each month to write
letters, volunteer, show up at a rally? Will you add a little more to your
donations to the organizations you believe in most? Will you add an act of
kindness every day? Will you come to HBT one more time each month to support
and sustain our community and nurture your soul? Make a list and put it
somewhere where you will see it every day.
Hag urim sameyach! Happy Hanukkah!
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