hanukkah 2022 | 5783
December 19 thru December 26
(First candle december 18)
Hanukkah recalls the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in 164 BCE. As a result, on Hanukkah we celebrate the particular privilege and meanings of Jewish religious identity. We remember the cultural conflict between the universalism and particularism of ancient days as a marker for own time. Honoring the Maccabees, we celebrate the victory of spirit over might and the ideals of Judaism.
On Hanukkah, we create light to make a dark world bright. A potent religious symbol, light signifies life and goodness, hope and God’s presence. On Hanukkah, we ignite sparks of holiness and gratitude. We rejoice in the miracles of Jewish history. We demonstrate pride in our Jewish heritage and pray that God’s light of peace and goodness may shine for all time.
HANUKKAH CELEBRATION: Hanukkah's Light on the first night
4:00 pm |
- VTS students will meet in their usual classrooms for special Hanukkah activities (VTS Families - School hours on Sunday 12/18 are 4-6pm, there will be no class at 9am)
- All adults are welcome to join VTS parents, for a discussion with Rabbi Shulman & Rabbi Libman about the history and meanings of Hanukkah and discover customs for celebrating Hanukkah at Home.
- Preschoolers are welcome to join their parents, or can participate in Hanukkah crafts and activities in a nearby space
5:00 pm | HanukKAHOOT! Kids, adults, and everyone in between are invited to play a special Hanukkah themed version of the trivia game, Kahoot. Have fun showing off your Hanukkah knowledge!
5:30 pm | Community Hanukkiyah lighting & sing-along. Please bring your Hanukkiyot & candles from home.
5:45 pm | Enjoy Hanukkah snacks (latkes & donuts!) play dreidel, make your own Play-Doh Hanukkiyah, and more!
VTS Families - School hours on Sunday 12/18 are 4-6pm, and not 9am-12pm in celebration of Hanukkah! Join us as we celebrate the first night of Hanukkah together.
Light is among our most powerful religious symbols. On Hanukkah, Shabbat, and throughout the year we kindle lights to celebrate and rejoice, honor or remember. Our lights reflect our lives and all we experience. Light represents our Jewish beliefs and traditions, as well. In the glow of the 5th night of Hanukkah lights, we will study and explore the meaning of light in Judaism, the reasons for Hanukkah’s lights, and how those ideas reflect on the meaning of our lives.
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CHAI 20s/30s: Hanukkah Shabbat dinner
We celebrate Hanukkah with a catered Shabbat Dinner. Gather around the candles and come together with your Chai friends. The greatest gift Chai can offer, is that of community.
SHABBAT HANUKKAH LUNCH
Saturday, December 24 | 12:00 pm
We’ll enjoy a Shabbat Hanukkah Lunch following our Shabbat Hanukkah Morning Service. During lunch we will sing Hanukkah songs, enjoy holiday treats, and time together as a synagogue family.
Registration coming soon.
SHABBAT HANUKKAH SERVICES
Shabbat Hanukkah Services on Friday, December 23, at 6:15 pm and Saturday, December 24, at 9:30 am will include holiday themes, learning, and songs.
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TIKKUN OLAM/SOCIAL ACTION
EMBRACE-a-family
We will be supporting the Embrace-A-Family program through Jewish Family Service. This program provides holiday cheer for individuals and families in need across San Diego County.
This dignified approach of providing direct financial gifts empowers recipients to use the funds where they need it most—whether that’s for food, gifts, or anything else a family might need during these challenging times. Your support provides individuals and families with holiday meals, care packages, and direct financial assistance—making this holiday season a whole lot brighter.
HANUKKAH PACKAGES for SENIORS
Assembly: Sunday, December 11 | 9:00am
We will be assembling Hanukkah Care Packages for seniors to help make their holiday a bit brighter. Volunteers are needed for package assembly! The packages will include Hanukkah ritual items, treats, and cards written by our VTS students.
We hope our gifts will bring light and joy to those in need this year. If you would like to volunteer, please email dvinick@cbe.org.
ADOPT A KINDNESS FAMILY
Congregation Beth El is "adopting a family" in collaboration with Kindness Initiative (KI). Our adopted family are Jewish Ukranian refugees who are trying to rebuild and get back on their feet. Help us brighten Hanukkah for this mother, father, and 2 young children.
We have made a one-year commitment to contributing $360 monthly to our adopted KI family, as well as help them with other needs throughout the year. You can help by donating funds here, or by helping fulfill this family's Hanukkah wishlist here.
KI believes no Jewish household in San Diego County should face life’s challenges alone. Through wrap-around services, the KI team seeks to alleviate the pressures and complexity of financial insecurity, by assisting Members to access the resources they need to achieve self sufficiency. By adopting a family, we will make a substantial difference in the life of a specific, local Jewish household. KI families struggle with impossible financial choices: paying for food or medicine; rent or utilities, transportation or childcare. For KI Members who have lost jobs, become ill, face mounting financial challenges, or are on the brink of homelessness, the "Adopt a Kindness Family" program helps prevent displacement, and the downward spiral of ever more difficult circumstances.
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CARE PACKAGES FOR LONE SOLDIERS
The Tikkun Olam committee will be gifting care packages to lone soldiers this year, in collaboration with the organization M'Ever Layam. These packages will bring comfort to soldiers away from their families this Hanukkah.
If you'd like to contribute to this project, please do so here. See more about the organization here.
usy krispy kreme fundraiser
Sign up below for our 3rd annual USY Krispy Kreme Fundraiser. $12/dozen for Original Glazed donuts to either be enjoyed by your family, friends, teachers, people you wish to gift them to and/or to be donated. Save almost $4 through the fundraiser, compared to in-store prices! All orders will be placed 11:00am Dec 11th, 18th & 23rd. Those that contribute will receive a voucher via email, redeemable at any Krispy Kreme indefinitely. All proceeds will go to the youth department's Social Action/Tikkun Olam (tzedakah) fund. For more information or with questions please email emily@cbe.org
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Hanukkah resources
We miss our friends this year.
So grab your screen and latke;
We hope to bring some cheer!
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