Happy Hanukkah

Hanukkah
1st Night
Dec 20st

Hanukkah Party
Saturday
Dec 24th
Invitation
 

Rosh Kodesh
Tevet
Dec 27th

Fast of
Tevet
Jan 5th

Yarzeit
Rabbi
Chaim White
Jan 18th

Hanukkah is an especially joyous occasion in the Israelite community. It reminds us of the dedication of our ancestors in the ancient land of Israel who persevered to retain their culture and identity in the face of oppression. It allows us to remember how blessed we are to have the knowledge and freedom that we now enjoy.  Our children learn that their individual happiness is inextricably tied to the condition of our people.

The Meaning of Hanukkah:

A Kabbalistic Interpretation

By

Chief Rabbi Levi Ben Levy, ת.נ.צ.ב.ה

Hanukkah is eight days of meditation, concentration, contemplation and thinking of an incident that took place in our history that has affected our lives today. We recall the struggle, the despair and the hopeless condition which gave courage to a people who stood up and fought for life. If you fight for life, salvation is won. It is in the victory of life that we find joy. This was the realization of the Maccabees in their message to you and me at the season of Hanukkah. In the eight days of rededication, evaluation and introspection of our being, we recall the past in a way that transforms who we are in the present, which in turn, affects what we may do in the future.
 Read Article

"The True Spirit of Dedication"
Rabbi Shmuel Funnye
 

In this article, Rabbi Shmuel Funnye, the spiritual leader of Beth Shalom Bnai Zaken in Chicago, defines what he calls "The True Spirit of Dedication" from an Israelite perspective. His message is a blessing because only a leader of such proven commitment and dedication could define for us what it means to live a dedicated life. In this essay he eloquently explains that this holiday that we call “Hanukkah,” one that means dedication, is not merely about an event that took place in our distant past, but rather it is about discovering the key to our future success and the restoration of Israel by living dedicated lives 365 days a year. If you want to become more dedicated this year, read this article.

Divine Light:           
A Hanukkah Sermon
Rabbi Sholomo Levy

“And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.” (Genesis 1:3)  The presence of divine light was a good place to start the universe and it is a good place to begin our current search for this divine light in a world flooded with artificial lights. In fact, there are so many artificial lights during the season of Hanukkah that they blind our eyes to how dark it really is.

 At the time that this sermon was written the United States was experiencing the worst economy sense the Great Depression. This is a very timely message to a materialistic world that has turned this holiday season into an economic religion that worships consumerism, cooperate profits, and personal debt. From the midst of this darkness this sermon comes to say “Let there be light!” Read Article.

Saturday December 24th
Beth Elohim
189-31 Linden Blvd
Saint Albans, New York 11412
(718) 712-4646

Children Free / Adults $10

Invitation / Directions / Details
 

Black Jews at the White House

^“The stone which the builders rejected is become the chief cornerstone. This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.” Psalm 118:22-23  There was a time when Black Jews were not welcomed in the halls of power.  Those days are gone forever!  Today, Rabbi Shmuel Funnye travels the world meeting heads of state in Israel, Africa, and America.  Most recently he and Miriam went to the Whitehouse to visit his cousin, Michelle, and her husband, Barack, for their Hanukkah Party.  President Obama told the story of Hanukkah himself and explained to the assembled guests how much this celebration of freedom means to him. Rabbi Funnye, who attended a similar ceremony at the Whitehouse with President George W. Bush said the difference was “President Obama understands the Israelite Community because he has family members who are Black and Jewish. President Obama understands us because he understands the struggles of people who are marginalized because of their identity.” (Read full article)

Israelite Board of Rabbis, Inc.
189-31 Linden Blvd.
Saint Albans, New York 11412
(718) 712-4646
Email: rabbilevy@blackjews.org