Holy Lights
12/21/2022 10:33:14 AM
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The lights of Hanukkah are beautiful. Yet they are more than a festive adornment for the holiday. Our tradition considers the lights of Hanukkah to be holy. As such, they are not to be used for an ordinary purpose, such as a source of light for reading a book or doing a crossword puzzle.
One of my teachers, Rabbi Larry Hoffman, wrote of the Hanukkah lights, “their inherent purpose, according to the Talmud, is to shine the news of God’s miracle of light, recalling the days of the Maccabees…We light them so that they may fulfil their purpose…simply by looking at them, we acknowledge the possibility of miracles.”
This Hanukkah, we can kindle our lights for another sacred purpose.
We live in a time in which acts of racism and antisemitism have harmed many in our country. This year, there is a national movement to bring Black and Jewish Communities together to kindle lights during the eight days of Hanukkah and the seven days of Kwanzaa. The purpose of these gatherings is to stand together in unity against acts of hate.
Leaders of our local community have planned a gathering on December 26 in downtown Peekskill. We will meet at 6 PM at the gazebo on the corner of Division Street and Central Avenue. I encourage you to join me at this gathering.
There is great power in the image of lights glowing against the deep darkness of a cold winter night. There is even greater power in the act of good-hearted people standing together against racism and antisemitism in the face of those forces that seek to harm and divide us. There is no greater purpose for these holy lights than to inspire us to acts of unity and love and open our hearts to hope.
Wed, July 9 2025
13 Tammuz 5785
Temple israel Happenings
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Thursday ,
JulJuly 17 , 2025Brotherhood BBQ @ Senasqua Park
Thursday, Jul 17th 6:00pm to 9:00pm
All men of Temple Israel are welcome to join the Brotherhood for grilled burgers, hot dogs & veggie burgers. Kids are welcome, too. We'll meet at Senasqua Park, in Croton, on the Hudson shoreline. We promise great sunset views and a chance to make some new friends, or catch up with old ones. -
Saturday ,
JulJuly 26 , 2025Renegades Baseball Game with Brotherhood
Shabbat, Jul 26th 5:00pm to 9:00pm
Join the fun and watch the Renegades Yankee Minor League team live in Fishkill. This is a family-friendly event! Feel free to bring your friends, family and neighbors. -
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Wednesday ,
AugAugust 6 , 2025Cocktails at the Lake with Sisterhood
Wednesday, Aug 6th 4:00pm to 9:00pm
All women of Temple Israel and their friends are invited to a social, relaxing sunset potluck dinner at Stillwater Lake in Ossining.
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