Temple Adath

Israel Bulletin

 

DECEMBER 2005/JANUARY 2006 Cheshvan-Tevel 5766

 

 

Inside this issue:

FROM THE RABBI

- Anyone know the most popular song in American history? The second most 337:: Sihedule
popular is “Happy Birthday.” The most popular is not our National anthem or even “God FromilhevlgcbeCont’d)
Bless America.” The most popular song is “White Christmas,” And why is this one of Gum

the greatest trivia questions of our era? Because, it was written by a Jew, Irving Berlin. Winter Dinner

In fact, some of the greatest Christmas Albums have been recorded by Jews. While I finisj‘ghirzxjy

am all for helping out our neighbors, I have always questioned why Neil Diamond, our Winter Dinner
Barbara Streisand, and countless others never put out a favorite Chanukkah album? D°’°‘GM“9
Kenny G has done a Shabbat jazz CD, and to his credit, on his Holiday (not Christmas Sisterhood News

CD, he did include a jazz rendition of Draedel Draedel) amidst the Christmas standards. :2; Bottled Wm,
And. then it hit me, that the greatest hits of the holiday include those musical greats
such as “Draedel Draedel." “I Am A Latke," and “Chanukkah, O Chanukkah." Of course,
Adam Sandler did write his Chanukkah song, but there isn’t much of a melody line to NewTemple Membm
that one. Peter Yarrow wrote a brilliant song in “Light One Candle,” but that would make OMSho'om

a CD of one, for “Chanukkah‘s Greatest Hits.” if only we were writing more holiday Tm New‘

music!

Volume 73, Issue 5

Shabbat Shuvah Dinner

Torah Study
Kollel Study Group

But then, we never have made a big deal about being public with this Adult Ed.
celebration. because the truth is that we have always treated Chanukkah as a child’s EjlikDDistsb" G’WP
holiday. We have tried making it more intergenerational. We are commanded to Blood 3:29
publicly proclaim the holiday of Chanukkah, by making sure that the menorah is visible G°C”S"°“"Y
to the street. There is a lot of room on the spectrum of “public" between opening the Craft& Kibbiiz
window shade and insisting that an 8 foot menorah be in the public square, especially if fizzifince‘gemgs
the real reason for the menorah is to keep up with the Christians, who have a tree Board Nominations
publicly displayed But, I think the menorah issue is far too short sided. Zigrigzjmmmm

There really is no greater message conveying the value and cost of freedom, Refuch Shlemqh
than the story of the Maccabees. They fought to maintain freedom of worship and C°"d°'e"‘e°
overcame tremendous odds to secure that freedom. That is a very adult theme, yet we :3? ammo”
have let it go, and made the holiday nothing more than an opportunity for latkes, donuts, Recyje News
and presents for the children. Why has there not been more made out of the holiday? M°Z°'T°V
One answer I have heard is the notion that to do so would be to call attention to the fact MW”; Sch“,
that we are Jewish. Well, in this day, in this country, I believe that is less of an issue — Preschool
just look at the lack of problems that stemmed from the movie “The Passion.” Another
voice speaks of our minority status, and claims that there is not a big enough market.

(continued on page 2)

Yahrzeit

Contributions

 

 

 

FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK 4:»,

E if .
:1?!

Winter is almost upon us. For many of us, myself included, I would rather be at home sitting in front of my
fireplace with a cup of hot chocolate, than go out into the cold. Yet this year, I'm going to suggest that you gather your

warmth here at the Temple.
Sharing a Shabbat dinner and service, an educational program, book club, Sisterhood or Brotherhood event

with friends can warm your spirit and soul. I‘ll even make sure there's plenty of hot chocolate!

L'shalom, ,. , ,- .
/ >< nglf/é/
Starr Gantz, President