november 2013
ChaiLites
Cheshvan/Kislev 5774
Hakarat Ha-Tov: Awaken to the good and give
thanks….
Dear friends: this year we will experience
one of the great anomalies in Jewish
tradition, the ability to eat turkey and potato
latkes at the same time! Actually we will
kindle the 2nd light of Chanukah as we sit
at our Thanksgiving tables. In the spirit of
Chanukah, we learn from the ‘miracle of
google’ that in fact the last time these two
holidays were celebrated together was 1888
(the only other time this happened) and that
in fact according to all estimations it will
never happen again!
Worship Schedule
Friday, November 1 – Toldot
5:45 p.m.
Oneg Shabbat
6:30 p.m.
Kabbalat Shabbat Worship
with Anniversary Blessings
Tot Shabbat
Saturday, November 2
8:30 a.m.
Torah Study
10:30 a.m.
Shabbat Minyan with Kaddish
in the Musick Family Library
B’not Mitzvah of Rachel Gens
and Jenna Silverman
5:00 p.m.
B’nei Mitzvah of Eliana Schneider
and Mitchell Trubitt
Friday, November 8 – Vayetze
5:45 p.m.
Oneg Shabbat
6:30 p.m.
Kabbalat Shabbat Worship
Certainly one of the many themes that
these two wonderful celebrations hold in
common is gratitude and the counting of blessings which in Hebrew we call
Hakarat Ha-Tov, or “recognizing the good.” As we learned from Rabbi Cohen
in his Kol Nidre sermon, our minds are “wired” to automatically look to what
is wrong, what is missing…that the cup is always “half empty.” How much the
more so that we should take this occasion to acknowledge and to “awaken to
the good and give thanks.” I am reminded of the Jewish teaching that reminds
us that in the Messianic Days, all of prayers and blessings will no longer be
recited as we know them except one: Hodaah…the prayer in the Amidah
portion of the service that turns our thoughts to thanksgiving and gratitude.
With regret, how often we need to turn to one holiday in the calendar to
pause and express appreciation, honor and gratitude…for our loved ones,
spouses, or those that have served our country. Yet our tradition reminds us
that we should find ourselves in a constant state of gratitude…of the daily
miracle of starting a new day to our often overlooked health and well-being.
I find myself drawn to the wonderful tradition that we should recite 100
blessings every day! The power of this teaching is found in the ability to
continued on page 3
Looking for a fun night out? Join us for Capture
the Flag. Refer to page 10 for more details.
Saturday, November 9
8:30 a.m.
Torah Study
10:30 a.m.
Shabbat Minyan with Kaddish
in the Musick Family Library
B’nei Mitzvah of Jared Kravitz
and Morgan Kravitz
5:00 p.m.
B’nei Mitzvah of Joshua Bleichman
and Emma Nolan
Friday, November 15 – Vayishlach
5:45 p.m.
Oneg Shabbat
6:30 p.m.
Kabbalat Shabbat Worship with 1st Grade
Participation and Birthday Blessings
Saturday, November 16
8:30 a.m.
Torah Study
10:30 a.m.
Shabbat Minyan with Kaddish
in the Musick Family Library
Bar Mitzvah of Brett Meyers
5:00 p.m.
B’not Mitzvah of Rebecca Steines
and Mari Young
Friday, November 22 – Vayeshev
5:45 p.m.
Oneg Shabbat
6:30 p.m.
Kabbalat Shabbat Worship
Saturday, November 23
8:30 a.m.
Torah Study
10:30 a.m.
Shabbat Minyan with Kaddish
in the Musick Family Library
B’nei Mitzvah of Hallie Feldman
and Carly Schechtman
Friday, November 29 - Miketz
5:45 p.m.
Oneg Shabbat
6:30 p.m.
Kabbalat Chanukah Shabbat Worship
Saturday, November 30
8:30 a.m.
Torah Study
10:30 a.m.
Shabbat Minyan with Kaddish
in the Sanctuary
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