Shalom from TBD Religious School

Shabbat newsletter compiled by
Gal Kessler Rohs, Education Director
In just two days for Jews, and four for Christians, some of us will be lighting Chanukiyot, while others opening gifts under the Christmas tree. Those of you who integrate interfaith familial customs might partake in both, as you develop your personal preferences for your homes. See for example this wreath I came across, which certainly projects both the Christmas and Channukah spirit. This time last year, I even wrote here  about the coexistence of the three of the season’s holidays in Israel’s “ optimistic city ” Haifa, including Kwanza, and a newly invented word, “Christmahannukawanza.”

Perhaps because the two (or three if we include Kwanzaa) holidays coincide calendrically, some of you may embrace coexistence in your homes, others may question the approach, while our parent readers who nurse children of early age might have more questions as you formulate your home rituals alongside your growing children. Yet whether you celebrate Christmas and/or Channukah, there is much to give rise to Christmukkah. Other than the warm fuzzy feelings they both pertain, there is actually much overlap in both traditions.

Take for example the  dreidel’s origin . The spinning top initially had nothing to do with Chanukkah, but was worldly played in various languages for many centuries. In Irland and England for example, there is a game called totum that is especially popular at Christmastime. In English, this game is first mentioned as “totum” ca. 1500 which comes from the Latin “totum,” meaning “all.” By 1801 the four letters on the totum dreidel already represented four words in English, the same words as in the dreidel that we know. 

The Chrismukkah overlap is also seen in the focus of the “ miracle ”. Jews link the word to the miracle of oil lasting eight nights, to the rededication of their temple, and to the victory of the Macabees over an inhumane hedonistic army. Similarly, Christians extend the miracle of Christmas to the birth of Jesus, along with His conception from a virgin birth. Jesus had miraculous healing powers, feeding of multitude powers, walking on water abilities, and more that is elevated by Christians at this time of year. 

Those of you who fill toys in toy drives, or TBD’s food donation bin, contribute to the idea that Christmukkah is a  time of giving . Giving of gifts in both holidays is not only for materialistic joy of oneself, but more towards the Jewish meaning of tzeddakah. We gift the lonely with our company, or the hungry with food, or provide Rabbi Lachtman ’s list of “Channukah raise a finger gift of light”.  Similarly in Christianity in early modern  Europe , gift giving had its roots in Christmas begging. During the holiday seasons, pre 1800’s,  Christmas involved an exchange between the social classes. 

Above all, I think, both Christmas and Channukah respond to the same, very significant human reality- the strive to come out of darkness . Both literally and figuratively, we are eager to see it defeated. Jews and Christians alike celebrate miracles that reflect the hope that we can triumph over all the forces that oppress us. The candles in Channukah, and electrical Christmas tree lights that are central to both holidays, represent this shared human affirmation. The stories we tell, of healing or of hope, and the images we use of Santa, or of chocolate coins, are very different. The human hope and search for light, however, and above all, seems to remain the same.

Happy holidays, with multitude of lights!
-Gal Kessler Rohs , Education Director
Ulpan Shabbat tonight
focusing on Channukah
A Word of thank you
to our volunteers!
This past Sunday was filled with action, from students making Channukiyot, to parents frying latkes, children making apple sauce, and dreidels spinning.

We had a full day, with happy smiles, and full learning of all who were involved. Stay tuned for a captured video encompassing our Channukah religious school highlights.

I wish to thank a myriad of you who helped set up, prepare, coordinate, fry, purchase, engage, plan, and more. Abby Silver merits a huge shout out for coordinating all parents in the kitchen and in the social hall, as I welcomed new faces into our temple, watched classroom activities, handed out flyers, and more.

Thank you, and I look forward to the next fun communual day with you all!
Apple sauce recipe 🍏🍎
As made last Sunday with Lindy Bernstein, TBD's for enrichment professional
Ingredients:
-3 pounds your favorite apples peeled or not peeled
1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon allspice
Pinch of salt
juice from half a lemon
1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional)

Instant Pot Instructions:
If peeling the apples, do this first. Then chop the apples into a large dice.
Place the apples, water, cinnamon, allspice, salt, lemon juice and brown sugar into the Instant Pot. Close the lid and cook on manual high pressure for 5 minutes. 
Natural release and using an immersion blender, ricer or potato masher, blend the applesauce to your desired consistency. Serve warm, room temperate or cold. The flavors will change slightly as it cools, so adjust to taste as needed. 

Ps- How darling is this image?! It depicts how much the children really enjoy enrichment with Lindy.
Oh Chanukah, Oh Chanukah
come light the Menorah at TBD
Channukah is a Time of Giving
Channukah gifts for the children of our school
We asked our teachers and staff for a wish list for their classes. Here is a list they came up with. Please note not all items are of monetary value. Gently used items can be purchased from thrift shops such as Savers at Santa Anita and Live Oak in Arcadia)

  • For setting up a garden: dirt for planting, seeds, compost container, fencing for perimeter of container, watering cans, cutting shears, small hovels, garden hose
  • air dry clay
  • For outdoor play: chalk, sandbox pails and shovels, tricycle (just one)
  • Tarp for sandbox cover
  • dry erase board markers
  • dry erase personal size mini boards
  • sign up for providing sunday snack or ulpan shabbat dinner
  • Gently used (or new) children's toy musical instruments, and drums in particular
  • cleaning wipes
  • large plastic storage containers
  • toilet paper and paper towel rolls

We thank our Religious School readership for supporting our teachers!
Torah Portion of the Week
פָּרָשַׁת הַשָּׁבוּעַ Vayeishev, and he dwelt Genesis 37:1 - 40:23 🌈   🧥  
Joseph’s brothers held a conspiracy against him, out of jealously for him being their father’s favorite. They planned to kill him, throw him into a pits and say that a wild beast ate him.

Reuben, the eldest son, heard this and rescued Joseph from their hands. Reuben suggested, “Do not spill any blood, throw him into this pit but do not lay a hand on him.” Reuben left planning to return later and bring Joseph back to their father.
 
The brothers seized Joseph, taking his colorful coat that was given to him by his father, and throwing him into the empty, waterless pit. Finally though, following the advice of Judah, they sold him to Yishmaelites who were heading towards Egypt. Joseph was sold for twenty pieces of silver.

When Reuben returned and saw Joseph was gone, he tore his clothes in mourning. The brothers slaughtered a goat and dipped Joseph’s coat in the blood. They returned home to their father Jacob, who recognized Joseph’s coat. He tore his clothes in mourning as he learned of the wild beast tearing his son apart. 
 
Everyone tried to console Jacob but he refused to accept consolation, saying, “For I will go down to my son, mourning, into the grave.” And so, his father wept for him.
Fun 🐈   fact
dedicated to feline lovers
Israel’s streets are filled with  cats ! Many were brought to Israel during the British mandate (supposedly to fight off  rats ), and the legacy remained. Fun facts about Israeli cats: 

-There is no coherent legislation on the subject at the national level , except that mass killing (more specifically,  poisoning ) of stray animals is illegal according to the “animal cruelty prevention law” of 1994. Several court ruling held that killing stray animals that do not pose a danger to the public is illegal and constitutes animal cruelty.

-Most Israeli municipalities use  Capture Spay  or  Neuter / Release ( TNR ) methods and do not kill stray cats. One can notice many Israeli street cats with an intentional nick / cut in their ear to indicate they were “fixed” by authorities.
 
- Rabies  or other dangerous diseases are not common in Israel, and more importantly are not feared in the common Israeli social “psyche”. Therefore cats are not usually perceived as “disease bearing creatures”.

-It seems many Israelis feed stray cats. Many urban neighborhoods in Israel have “cat ladies” who feed the cats outside. It is perfectly legal
 
(pictured is a newly installed “cat feeding station” in Rehovot, Israel, as part of the city’s initiative to support its feline street presence)
Coming up at Temple Beth David
featured dates to note:
Dec 20 6pm: Ulpan Shabbat and Family dinner for Ulpan Shabbat families. Parent education about the Christmukkah dilemma with Rabbi Lachtman.
Monday, Jan 6th 7.30pm: Navigating the Journey, adult class with Rabbi Lachtman
Shabbat Reading
and more Jewishly relevant resources

  • Last Friday's TBD Religious School eblast about last Sunday, how we celebrated thanks to ommunual engagement and parental volunteers
  • December David's Word, TBD's newsletter
  • December's JLife Magazine
  • What does "Hannukah" actually mean?
  • Hannukah is not the Jewish Christmas, but they are cousins
  • The surprising origin of the dreidel
  • Hannukah is not the Jewish Christmas, but they are cousins
  • Hannukah chocolate coins are called "gelt"
  • December 15th marked Bill of Rights Day in America. Ideas for patriotic themed food, like the patriotic challah we made at Ulpan Shabbat here.
  • Fun facts about the growing cat demographic in Israel
What else is going on
flyers, flyers, flyers
Wishing you Shabbat Shalom
and a bright Festival of light from your dedicated team at TBD!