As Hanukkah and the end of the secular year draw near, this is a great time to contemplate the miracles of our time. The celebration of Hannukah is all about a miracle, when the supply of holy oil thatwas only supposed to last for one day ended up lasting eight times as long to enable the unbroken light of the menorah to continue. We know it can be hard to consider that miracles still take place, especially in the wake of all we have been through over the last two and half years. And yet, miracles are all around us, if we only care to look. Like the incredibly lucky individual somewhere here in California who woke up one day a few weeks ago to find themselves two billion dollars richer. Or like the scrappy team from Morocco that defied the odds to become the first African team to make it to the World Cup semifinals (though sadly the miracle ended there). Or it can be as simple as getting through the hard times intact to enjoy the festive times that come around for ourselves and our families. This Hannukah, as we gather around our hannukiyot and light the candles each night, let us all pause and reflect on the miracles, however unlikely, that saw us through this year.
Also, mark your calendars for this Friday, December 16, when we will have our final Family Shabbat and Shabbat Service for this year. Both events will feature Hannukah themes so remember to bring your menorahs for a special candle lighting before the main service. The Family Shabbat will start at 6:15 p.m. and last for an hour and the main Shabbat Service will start at 7:30 p.m. And the kids will not want to miss this Family Shabbat because, along with activities like making menorahs, David Z. and his family will be hosting the first ever Temple Beth Hillel Dreidel Olympics! Come show off your dreidel skills and receive the glory of being the first TBH Dreidel Champion!
After the new year, we have plenty of other major holidays to celebrate, including Purim and Passover. You can help make a difference by volunteering to help plan the Purim Carnival and Passover Seder. Planning any one of these events allows you to connect with the community, perform a mitzvah, and make the Temple Beth Hillel experience even better. In addition, please consider joining the Temple Beth Hillel Board of Directors next year. Our Board is always on the lookout for members who have ideas for the future of the temple and the ability to carry out that vision. And as we have discovered, serving on the Board makes us appreciate how much Temple Beth Hillel means to us and our children. You can reach out to us or any Board member if you are interested.
Finally, Torah study will be held on Saturday at 10:15 a.m., and will be on Zoom only. And those who wish to join Tefillah services at the Religious School are welcome starting next year on January 8 at 9:30 a.m. Thanks everyone! Chag Sameach!
If I am not for myself, who will be for me?
If I am not for others, what am I?
And if not now, when? -Rabbi Hillel
~ Anna B Stein and David Zimring, Co-Presidents, Temple Beth Hillel
From the Presidents – Dec. 16, 2022
December 18, 2022 by tbhrich • president
Shalom Y’all!
As Hanukkah and the end of the secular year draw near, this is a great time to contemplate the miracles of our time. The celebration of Hannukah is all about a miracle, when the supply of holy oil that was only supposed to last for one day ended up lasting eight times as long to enable the unbroken light of the menorah to continue. We know it can be hard to consider that miracles still take place, especially in the wake of all we have been through over the last two and half years. And yet, miracles are all around us, if we only care to look. Like the incredibly lucky individual somewhere here in California who woke up one day a few weeks ago to find themselves two billion dollars richer. Or like the scrappy team from Morocco that defied the odds to become the first African team to make it to the World Cup semifinals (though sadly the miracle ended there). Or it can be as simple as getting through the hard times intact to enjoy the festive times that come around for ourselves and our families. This Hannukah, as we gather around our hannukiyot and light the candles each night, let us all pause and reflect on the miracles, however unlikely, that saw us through this year.
Also, mark your calendars for this Friday, December 16, when we will have our final Family Shabbat and Shabbat Service for this year. Both events will feature Hannukah themes so remember to bring your menorahs for a special candle lighting before the main service. The Family Shabbat will start at 6:15 p.m. and last for an hour and the main Shabbat Service will start at 7:30 p.m. And the kids will not want to miss this Family Shabbat because, along with activities like making menorahs, David Z. and his family will be hosting the first ever Temple Beth Hillel Dreidel Olympics! Come show off your dreidel skills and receive the glory of being the first TBH Dreidel Champion!
After the new year, we have plenty of other major holidays to celebrate, including Purim and Passover. You can help make a difference by volunteering to help plan the Purim Carnival and Passover Seder. Planning any one of these events allows you to connect with the community, perform a mitzvah, and make the Temple Beth Hillel experience even better. In addition, please consider joining the Temple Beth Hillel Board of Directors next year. Our Board is always on the lookout for members who have ideas for the future of the temple and the ability to carry out that vision. And as we have discovered, serving on the Board makes us appreciate how much Temple Beth Hillel means to us and our children. You can reach out to us or any Board member if you are interested.
Finally, Torah study will be held on Saturday at 10:15 a.m., and will be on Zoom only. And those who wish to join Tefillah services at the Religious School are welcome starting next year on January 8 at 9:30 a.m. Thanks everyone! Chag Sameach!
If I am not for myself, who will be for me?
If I am not for others, what am I?
And if not now, when? -Rabbi Hillel
~ Anna B Stein and David Zimring, Co-Presidents, Temple Beth Hillel