December 9, 2020 - 23 Kislev 5781
The darkness of this time of year, coupled with news of rising numbers of COVID cases throughout Maine and the country, and the prospect of a winter of continued isolation, feel difficult to contemplate for many of us this week. We are tired. We may feel lonely. The tragedy of so much loss throughout our country weighs heavily.

The world of connection and generativity may feel out of our reach right now, but it is always there, even beneath the snow during the coldest parts of winter. And this week brings Hanukkah, a holiday that celebrates triumph in the face of fear and against great odds. As Rabbi Laurie Zimmerman says, Hanukkah “reminds us that even in dark times it is our obligation to hope, to believe in miracles, to act as if another world is possible.”

This week we are sharing so many opportunities for our community to gather for celebration and comfort. Please read through each of them; they are all open to everyone regardless of background or affiliation, and this might be a great year to try something new, especially with a virtual format! We can’t wait for the statewide Hanukkah Celebration and the opportunity to see the power of our amazing community together on the screen.
Thank you for all of the ways you enrich and sustain our community. We are so blessed to have one another. Together we can face the challenges of this time in the spirit of Hanukkah: with courage and joy.            

L’shalom,

Molly Curren Rowles
Executive Director
COMMUNITY HANUKKAH EVENTS
December 10 - 18
While the Festival of Lights will look different this year, there are still so many wonderful ways to celebrate together here in Maine. SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING!
HANUKKAH HUB
Curated by PJ Library in Southern Maine and the JCA

Delicious recipes, fun family craft ideas, holiday music videos, podcasts, cooking demos, and more, to help your family celebrate together or apart. CLICK HERE!
JCC ADULT & SENIOR ALLIANCE PROGRAMS
The Osher Marin JCC has partnered with JCCs across the country to create the National JCC Adult & Senior Alliance, offering an array of interesting, engaging and educational programs for continued growth and learning, including entertaining classes and workshops, enriching discussions, and cultural trips.
See the complete schedule here.
A portion of the proceeds benefit the JCA.
MARVELOUS MARRAKECH
Four Monday sessions
December 7, 14, 21, 28 | 2:00-3:15 PM EST 

Pour yourself a cup of mint tea and join trip leader James Sokol on our virtual trips to this magical North African country, so different from most Arab-dominant countries. Morocco has its own unique, fascinating culture – a blend of indigenous Berber, Arabian, Sub-Saharan African and European (Christian and Jewish) influences. In this series on Morocco, join our wonderful local guide, Nabil, for visits around his diverse, vibrant 1,000-year-old city to discover wonders that await!   
   
Our virtual itinerary includes:  
• Dec. 7 - Morocco Overview & Marrakech's Medina  
• Dec. 14 - The Gardens of Marrakech  
• Dec. 12 - Moroccan-Jewish Life  
• Dec. 28 - Koutoubia Mosque & Local Muslim Life 
 
Join us for the full series or for single visits - whatever works best for you!  
$15/single session, or $50 for the series 

Please select “ME - JCA of Southern Maine - Portland” when asked through which program partner you learned about this event. 
SONGS OF LIGHT: A Multi-Genre Musical Celebration of Hanukkah
Sunday, December 13th | 4:00 - 5:30 PM EST | Free!  

Join San Francisco Bay Area instructor James Sokol to journey through an array of music – Broadway, pop, opera and more! – exploring the theme of “light” along the way.  
 
Please select “ME - JCA of Southern Maine - Portland” when asked through which program partner you learned about this event. 
BOOK FEST IN YOUR LIVING ROOM
The JCA presents Book Festival in Your Living Room events
ďťżin partnership with the JCC Literary Consortium and the Atlanta JCC
Peter Frampton - Do You Feel Like I Do? A Memoir
ZOOM Webinar Author Talk + Q & A
Sunday, Dec. 13th | 2:00 PM EST
Tickets: $36 – one virtual ticket and one copy of the book (including shipping)
A revelatory memoir by rock icon and legendary guitarist Peter Frampton, Do You Feel Like I Do? is the incredible story of Frampton's positively resilient life and career told in his own words for the first time. His monumental album Frampton Comes Alive! spawned three top-twenty singles and sold eight million copies the year it was released (more than seventeen million to date), and it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in January 2020
ADULT EDUCATION
TORAH CONVERSATIONS
An online study group facilitated by Ellie Miller 
Thursdays, 10:00 – 11:00 AM 

Last year, we started at the very Beginning (with the Creation story in Genesis) and engaged in a careful reading of every word of the text. We focused on language and structure along with the tales the text imparts. We’ll continue our journey beginning with the Torah portion Va-Yetzei, the story of Jacob and his complicated relationships with his wives, his uncle, and, eventually, his brother Esau. ďťżJoin the group each week by using the Zoom link below.

We will not be able to admit late arrivals to the meetings. 
To join the study group email list and to get schedule updates, contact Diane Newman. 
AMERICAN JEWISH HISTORY CLASS Part II 
A 4-session online course with Anna Wrobel 
Wednesdays, January 6, 13, 20, 27  | 10 - 11 AM 
Suggested tuition: $50 

This course examines American Jewish history in the last hundred years or so. Key themes are historically contextualized including, but not limited to, migration, labor, antisemitism, Israel, the Shoah, and cultural influence. 
 
The class has been adapted to a Zoom format; each session will last one hour, and while Anna will cite primary sources, there will be less focus on in-class analysis of documents. Time is divided between lecture-style presentation and inquiry-based discussion constructed upon the questions and commentaries of the group. Personal and family histories bearing on the discourse are welcome. Past participation in American Jewish History - Part I is not required. 

Advanced registration required by Weds. Dec. 30th  
Registered students will receive the Zoom class link on Monday, Jan. 4th. 
WHY MOSES' EXPERIENCES IN LEADERSHIP ARE STILL RELEVANT 
A 6-session online course with Ellie Miller
Tuesday mornings, Jan. 12, 19, 26, Feb. 2, 9, 16 
10:00-11:15 AM | Suggested tuition: $72 

How did Moses’ leadership of the Israelites evolve over 40 years in the Biblical narrative? What were the influences that impacted change in his leadership and style: External politics? Shifting dynamics among the people Israel? Competition for leadership roles from within? Changing demographics? In this class we’ll examine a number of incidents from Exodus through Deuteronomy that show how Moses responded to every day demands and to crisis. We’ll have the opportunity to analogize between realities of Moses’ time and our own through text and commentaries. A text of the Hebrew Bible is required - all translations are appropriate. 

Advanced registration required by Tuesday, Jan. 5th.
Registered students will receive the Zoom class link on Friday, Jan. 8
YOGA & FITNESS
ONLINE YOGA CLASSES
With JCA instructor Ashley Flowers
Classes are $5/session.

  • Monday - 5:30 PM - Evening Yoga 
  • Tuesday - 11:30 AM - Midday Yoga 
  • Wednesday - 9:00 AM - Rise & Flow Yoga 
  • Thursday - 10:15 AM - Midday Yoga 
  • Friday - 9:00 AM - Rise & Flow Yoga 

Visit Ashley’s website for the complete class schedule and to register: https://www.ashleyflowersyoga.com/schedule/
Finding the Light Within
A special online yoga class with Ashley Flowers
Monday, Dec. 21st | 5:30 – 6:30 PM EST
Suitable for all levels! $5/person.
The winter solstice is great time to pause and reflect. Take an hour to nurture yourself and cultivate vitality with a slow mindful yoga class. A great way to move your body, focus on being present, or simply connect virtually with family.
This class is part of Ashley’s weekly Virtual Evening Yoga Series. Classes are live on Zoom; the link to access class will be provided to you on the Eventbrite online event page on the day of class. You will receive an email 45 minutes before class with the link.
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
Statewide Community Hanukkah Celebration 
Presented by the Center for Small Town Jewish Life and partners around the state
Co-sponsored by the JCA
Saturday, December 12 | 5:30 - 6:15 PM 

Join the Center for Small Town Jewish Life on the third night of Hanukkah for an all-Maine celebration! Welcome the new week with a spirited Havdalah with Cantor Sheila Nesis. Bring your chanukiah so you can light candles with Rabbi Darah Lerner of Beth El Bangor. Experience a Hanukkah play written by Rabbi Lily Solochek, Rabbi Carolyn Braun, and Rebbitzen Lisa Mayer especially for this celebration—performed by rabbis from across the state! Enjoy music from Rabbi Sruli Dresdner and Rebbetzin Lisa Mayer. Let’s celebrate the Festival of Lights together as a statewide community! 
HEBREW LETTER OF THE DAY
Presented by the Center for Small Town Jewish Life
featuring community members from across Maine
Daily, December 10 - Jan. 5 (except Shabbat)
On the CSTJL Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MaineJewishLife/
We're counting up to International Day of Hebrew, the birthday of Eliezer Ben-Yehuda, who was integral in modernizing the language. It comes every year on the 21st of Tevet, which this year is January 5. We've invited students, lay leaders, and educators from across Maine to teach a letter a day. Check the CSTJL's Facebook page daily (except Shabbat) starting Dec. 10th for a one-minute mini-Hebrew lesson. This is great practice for kids on vacation from Hebrew School—or for anyone who loves to learn Hebrew!
Maine Jewish Youth Connection’s
TRIVIA NIGHT FOR TEENS
Presented by the Center for Small Town Jewish Life
Sunday, Dec. 13th | 7:30 – 8:30 PM
Join your friends in the JYC, our statewide teen group, for a great night of learning and trivia competition! Winner gets bragging rights for the rest of the year. Register using the link below, and we'll send you the Zoom link the day of. We miss hanging out together and are excited for this opportunity to connect!
ISRAELI FOLK DANCING
Free online sessions with Barbara Merson
Sundays, weekly - starting Jan. 10th
2:30 - 4:00 PM
Looking for a fun way to get some exercise this winter?
Join us on Sundays on Zoom for a free Israeli dance class. Dancers of all experience levels are welcome! Each class will start with a review of beginner and classic Israeli dances. The last part of class will focus on a (slightly) more difficult dance and requests. You will be amazed at how quickly you will learn and how good it will feel to move! Instructor Barbara Merson is a highly experienced Israeli dance teacher with a very wide repertoire. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes and have some water handy. For more information, schedule updates, and to participate, contact Barbara at the link below.
AROUND THE JEWISH WORLD
Z3 PROJECT – VISIONS OF A SHARED FUTURE
A virtual experience - December 10 – 17
An initiative of the Oshman Family JCC, Palo Alto
Tickets are $36 for the entire week of programming.
The Z3 Project invites you to join thought leaders from Israel and America, for eight days of debate and conversation, aimed at creating a new model of Jewish engagement in the 21st century, and promoting a stronger relationship between the Diaspora and Israel. Your $36 registration fee provides an all-access pass to sessions with this year's amazing line up of speakers as well as voting rights in the Z3 Giving Circle.
This year’s speakers include Bari Weiss, Rudy Namdar, Neta Riskin, Natan Sharansky, Einat Wilf, Rabbi Avi Weiss, Nicole Krauss, Ethan Bonner, Yossi Klein Halevi, Zach Banner, MK Merav Michaeli, Alysha Clark, Abigail Pogrebin, Sue Bird, Sarah Hurwitz, Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie.
Hartman@Home Online Learning
From the Shalom Hartman Institute, Jerusalem
 
THE HANUKKAH STORY YOU WERE NEVER TOLD:
What Really Happened 167-164 BCE
Tuesday, Dec. 15th | 2:00 – 3:15 PM EST
Chaim Seidler-Feller will reconstruct the circumstances that occasioned the Maccabean revolt – a civil war and/or a response to Antiochus’ persecution. Further study will reveal how the victors celebrated the first Hanukkah as well as the origins of the miracle story and the theological meaning attributed to the liberation and rededication of the Jerusalem Temple.We will also consider the ultimate consequences of the establishment of the Hasmonean kingdom and its long-term implications for the politics of the rabbinic tradition.
Register at the link below.

RADICALLY REFRAMING THE HANUKKAH MIRACLE: From Military Victory to the Light of Peace
Thursday, Dec. 17th | 2:00 – 3:15 PM EST
Chaim Seidler-Feller explores how Maimonides turns the classic understanding of Chanukah on its head to become ‘the miraculous light of peace’. A taste of modern Israeli poetry will illustrate the effort to recast the ancient holiday back into a military guise that is compatible with the self-image and mythos of contemporary Israel.
Register at the link below.
CALL FOR COMMUNITY RECIPES
for JewishFoodHero.com
Submit your recipe to be published on JewishFoodHero.com, which seeks to get healthier plant-based food onto Jewish tables around the world as a way of improving our mental, emotional and physical health and helping our environment.
Recipes should:
¡      Be vegan and/or plant-based
¡      Use reduced/minimal oil
¡      Be simple to prepare
¡      Be delicious!
 
Guidelines:
Submissions should include the recipe ingredients and instructions, and the following photos in a well-lit, clutter-free background: one photo of you, two photos of your prepared dish, and two photos of you holding your prepared dish.

Questions? Contact Kenden at hello@jewishfoodhero.com
JCA ANNUAL CAMPAIGN
The JCA wouldn’t exist without the support of our incredible donors. When you donate to the J’s Annual Campaign, you’re ensuring the continuity of all the amazing programs the J offers. From our nationally accredited preschool and summer camp, our food and diaper pantries, to PJ Library and our amazing programs and events; your gift powers it all. Don’t forget — one quarter of all Annual Campaign support is also allocated to critical Jewish organizations and initiatives, locally and overseas. There truly is no better way to support the Jewish community, than with a meaningful Annual Campaign gift. Donate today!
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