Celebrate Chanukah

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www.bethelnr.org

Chanukah is an incredibly vibrant and inspirational holiday, all too often drowned out by the hype of Christmas and New Year’s Eve.  Beth El Synagogue Center (New Rochelle) would like to invite everyone in the community and beyond to share the joy of this celebratory communal holiday on December 18^th. Of course eating oily food is a  must!

So in the interest of bringing some strong positivity, some living inspiration to this holiday, here are five  little known facts about Chanukah.

1. The war of the Maccabees was the world’s first ideological war.
2. The light of the menorah symbolizes the light of the soul, flames reaching for the sky while a physical "container" enables the flame to light up a room, to light of the world.
3. The custom of playing "dreidel" dates back well before the BCE/AD changeover.  The original game of dreidel was used as a means of subterfuge by students illegally studying torah.  When the oppressive ruling soldiers would raid a study group, the students would gather around a spinning top, acting as if they were engaged in gambling.
4. The core mitzvah of lighting the menorah is only one candle per night per household.  We light 8 candles, progressing each night as a hiddur, an extended celebration, bringing additional light into the world.
5. Chanukah is a social holiday, a holiday of sharing.  This is very much a communal celebration. 
   • If a person only has 8 candles, one for each night, and his friend has none, it is better to share with your friend for the first few days and not to light during the later days (assuming other candles cannot be procured).  
   • It is best to light menorah in a place where others can see it, and at a time where someone is available to hear you recite the blessings AND at a time where others can see it.

Whether it be helping a stranger find a job, greeting everyone with a smile or lighting the menorah, this is the time of year when we rethink, re-evaluate, rekindle and re-inspire.  So, join us Sunday December 18^th  10:30 am- 12:30pm,  for a fun day for all ages.  Enjoy  the wonderful music of songwriter and performer Alan Goodis,.  Lunch will be served and don’t forget to bring a toy or two for the toy drive.  $7 per person $18 per family admission charge.