Vayetze
As I work in my office I often eavesdrop on conversations at the front desk: people new to Victoria being welcomed (Hi, Sharon), old friends whose voices I may recognize, all manner of welcomes that make our home at the JCC feel so right.
Latke Madness begins in December so just a heads up – eau de latke will be in the air as we meet for services! Order your latkes soon – the Deli, per se, is closed over these coming weeks, as everyone cooks and cooks and cooks latkes for all! Lots of Hannukah tchotchkes for sale at the JCC – if you drop by check and see if I am in my office!
This week we begin our week Monday morning with Rosh Chodesh Kislev, the new moon indicating the beginning of the Jewish month of Kislev. Hannukah falls on the 24th of Kislev – this year in conjunction with Christmas Eve/Christmas Day. Here is a link that explains a little more about Kislev and Hannukah –
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/kislev-hanukkah/
So let there be much light with this conjunction of celebration and hope.
Rosh Chodesh holds its own special Torah reading, the singing of Hallel. I am so pleased we can now meet on a weekday and mark some of these particular observances. Please spread the word so we can ensure a minyan every week.
With love,
Rabbi Lynn
Vayishlach
December 9, 2024 by Rabbi Lynn Greenhough • From the Rabbi's Desk
Vayetze is such a special parashah for me – and has been for decades. But even I could not have anticipated what this past week brought to us.
We have been needing a second Sefer Torah – for holidays, Rosh Chodesh – all manner of occasions need a second Torah set and ready for reading. This past week I began a conversation with a friend who is a sofer in London England. Marc Michaels is married to Avielah Barclay, a soferet herself, (and FYI,Marc will be our April guest speaker in our lecture series).More