OCHO KANDELIKAS, pt. IV - Shabbat Hanukkah

HANNUKAH 2011/5772, fourth night

On the seventh day God rested from the work of Creation for it was complete enough to engage us, the human family, to be Divine partners throughout time in maintaining and perfecting the world.

These words (or something very similar) are what I say to introduce kiddush every Shabbat eve during t'filah. As we are ready to recite the blessing over wine, with which we recognize the sanctity ascribed to Shabbat, we are reminded of the great gift represented by this day, and our responsibility to lead the way in improving the world.

And there's something extra special about the Shabbat during Hanukkah: with the warm, fun, light-hearted nature of the Festival of Lights, the gathering of family and friends, and especially the overlap of joyous Shabbat and Hanukkah melodies - it is certainly among the most enjoyable Shabbatot of any given year. We read parashat miketz in the Torah, which includes Pharaoh's dreams and Joseph's interpretations about years of famine and plenty - amplifying the Jewish encouragement to dream big, as well as to plan ahead to take care of our needs and the needs of our loved ones and community. If there is anything that the intended rest on Shabbat is meant to teach us, it is surely this theme.

The 4th night of Hanukkah will soon be upon us. As we kindle our chanukiot, half-way through the holiday - may we truly know on this seventh day shavat vayinafash - a day of refreshment and renewal...SHABBAT SHALOM!

OCHO KANDELIKAS, pt. III

HANUKKAH 2011/5772, third night
LIGHTING UP THE WORLD (thanks to Peter Himmelman and David Broza)
This Festival of Lights is about shining light in places of darkness, bringing compassion into the world, and sharing love. The word "Hanukkah" itself of course means "dedication." How do we demonstrate our dedication to those causes we support? By volunteering, participating, and yes by contributing funds as well. Hanukkah always falls toward the end of the secular calendar year - when some of us think of "year end" charitable donations. Now is as good time as any to donate to the Jewish institutions, agencies and programs that enrich our lives - and especially to those that are shaping the experiences of the next generation. On this third eve of the holiday, as we enjoy exchanging gifts and the joy of the season, consider also - wherever possible - an additional generous contribution to your synagogue, community center, Jewish camps and schools, and the national organizations on which we rely throughout the year(s).
Three specific suggestions come to mind:
1. Make a gift to the campership fund of URJ's Olin-Sang-Ruby camp (OSRUI can be reached at www.osrui.org); this will assist additional children attend and benefit from the strength of Reform Jewish summer camping.
2. Support the newly launched Campaign for Youth Engagement of the URJ (www.urj.org); this movement-wide initiative is aiming at joining together the arms of Reform Judaism to develop and enhance our ability to engage and cultivate the next generation of American Jews.
3. Donate to YOUR local syangogue! I know that any congregation will appreciate whatever you are able to provide - which will help further the ability to serve the community through education, worship, and caring outreach on every level. For example, you can reach Temple Beth-El of South Bend, IN at www.tbe-sb.org, (574) 234-4402.
Give from your heart - gifts that truly keep on giving!

OCHO KANDELIKAS, pt. II

HANUKKAH 2011/5772, second night
HODU L'ADONAI KI TOV - "Praise Adonai, for God is good, God's steadfast love is eternal." (Ps. 118: 1).

Today has been the first day of Hanukkah. It is customary to recite the full hallel (Psalms 113-118) on each morning of the festival - explicitly giving thanks to God "for the miracles, for the redemption, for the mighty deeds and saving acts" done for our ancestors (Al Ha-nisim, based on rendering in Mishkan T'filah, p. 556). Through the generations, many beautiful, uplifting musical settings have been written for the rich and inspiring words of these poems of praise.

As we approach the second night of the holiday - I ask you to consider: what are the songs, poems, and music that arouse and express your gratitude for the good stuff of life?

At this very moment - Joe Black's Pitchu Li, Shefa Gold's Ozi v'Zimrat Yah, and Bonia Shur's Hodu L'Adonai come to mind, as they radiate from my iPod. These are a few of my faves...what are yours?

Ocho Kandelikas: a little thought for each night of Hanukkah

HANUKKAH 2011/5772, first night

This week marks the 25th yahrzeit since the passing of my grandmother, Mary Siroka. Hard to believe how much time has gone. I was a sophomore in college (at American University, Harvard on the Potomac :) and was on winter break. Mom, Dad, Eliot and I were vactioning in Hawaii when we got the call, the morning of the day before the first eve of the holiday. People plan, God laughs. Dad quickly re-arranged our travel plans so we could get to New York for the funeral, and be with our extended family. Change of pace indeed. We flew through LAX (where Dad insisted on purchasing me a t-shirt with Fred and Barney doing the hula) and arrived at JFK on a blustery cold morning (the warmest item of clothing I had with me was an AU sweatshirt, needless to say no appropriate outfit for the service). Getting settled, Dad and I hustled out to Alexander's to get me a jacket and tie, etc.

The funeral itself has an indelible place in my mind: it may have been the last time that all 15 of grandma's grandchildren were together in the same place. I'll never forget spending those first few eves of that Hanukkah centered at my uncle Harold and aunt Shirley's house - Dad and his siblings and cousins recounting stories, the aunts and uncles bragging about us kids, and even seeing the Japanese flag Harold had captured in the Pacific during the war. Tears, laughter, camaraderie, love....a touching festival of light.

This year, as we celebrate the onset of Hanukkah - be mindful of those in your life (living and long gone) who fill you with light.

CHAG URIM SAMEYACH - wishing you a happy, healthy, love-filled Hanukkah.

What does Reform mean to you?

Okay - at this point, I can actually say I've been involved with the Reform Movement in Judaism for well more than 40 yrs (born into it, and having played some active role as a Reform Jew the entire time since). Reform - the preeminent progressive presence in Judaism - remains the most vital, relevant and ever-expanding Jewish response to modern times (to somewhat quote a beloved teacher, Michael Meyer of HUC-JIR). A great deal has been said and written lately about this being a very significant time of change and transformation for Reform, and especially its leading institutional body - the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ). And yet - as a dynamically evolving element of Jewish tradition, Reform is ALWAYS at a time of transition; perhaps this is its defining notion (some of you will remember the ol' booklet Reform is a Verb).
In about two weeks, literally thousands of Reform Jews will join together from around North America and the world for the URJ's Biennial Convention, the largest gathering of Jewish professional and lay leaders (for more on Biennial, go to http://urjbiennial.zerista.com/). Highlight of this convention will be the Education Summit focusing on the Campaign for Youth Engagement. I'm extra proud that Debra has a significant role in all this...
Each Biennial I've attended has become a favorite experience of mine - and I am very much looking forward to this edition of the "family gathering" of our denomination. As I get ready to attend (and yes, think about the programs, the people, and even what to wear) - I ask myself - what does Reform mean to me? As a contemporary American I have the privilege of considering this question; as a progressive Jew, I also have the obligation to continue seeking a meaningful response.

JamesBrownthehardestworkingmaninrock'n'roll (and Jewish life)

OKAY - so the month following the fall Holy Days (mostly coinciding with the Hebrew month of Cheshvan - called by the sages mar cheshvan - "poor cheshvan" because of the lack of holidays) has been entirely too busy. Thank goodness it's mainly been with wonderful, positive, uplifting stuff: we had the opportunity (along with the local Muslim community) to sponsor the re-broadcast of Robert Satloff's Among the Righteous on WNIT, followed by an in-studio town hall discussion among leaders of our local religious community (for more, see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugrngWdmQ1M).
Then, we had our wonderful scholar-in-residence weekend with culinary author and teacher Tina Wasserman - proving once again that entree into Judaism is often through the stomach. Find Tina's work at www.cookingandmore.com.
We then hosted author, historian and filmmaker Satloff as our annual Kristallnacht commemoration speaker...after which I had the honor to serve as a guest artist for a URJ program on adult learning through the arts. Conducting tefilah and sharing materials on using music in the Jewish educational setting was both challenging and uplifting...though tired after these 36 hours, it's totally worth it. http://urj.org/learning/teacheducate/workshop
And this isn't even to mention the upcoming United Religious Community pre-Thanksgiving event next weekend! Busy is blessed...

It was a fall evening, long time ago...staying up way past bedtime...I remember watching Carlton Fisk's epic homer in the '75 series - Reds/Red Sox (perhaps the best ever)...I can picture the layout of our family room, exactly where the TV was, and all that...

Yes, I recall the '86 series - sitting by myself in the lounge on the 6th floor of Letts Hall at AU - watching the debacle - the implosion of the Sox who were going to actually win the title in my lifetime....

And of course, being in our kitchen in Flemington, NJ as caveman Johnny Damon heroically knocked the curse Yankees out for good...and as the Sox actually did fulfill their hoped-for promise...

And tonight, as the Rangers and Cards are tied in game 6 of the 2011 fall classic, I can't help but be caught up in the angst, anxiety, excitement and love of being a fan.

Whoever wins - it's been a great season - because it's baseball. And for whoever loses - just wait 'til next year.

Play ball....