CBI Blogs

Shalom Chaverim!

As I write this, Chanukah is just 5 big sleeps away! However, this year, because of the way our secular and lunar calendars align, it seems as though we have already been celebrating. Our community Chanukah party took place this past Sunday, I have been singing songs with our little to big kiddos at religious school for a couple of weeks already, and today (Thursday, December 19^th) I get to lead two sing-a-longs with those who identify themselves in our Inspired Aging community.

The celebrating continues TOMORROW NIGHT (Friday, December 20^th) when Rabbi Young and I hope you will join us in-person as we welcome band members of Mazel Tov Kocktail Hour to our bimah to welcome in Shabbat – Klezmer-style. We have planned a joyful, Chanukah-inspired Erev Shabbat service that will get your toes tapping and your body moving.

On Friday, December 27^th join ME as we light the chanukiah for the third night of Chanukah, welcome in Shabbat in cozy/casual style (that’s right, I am going to wear jeans and maybe you are going to wear your cozy Chanukah swag – including fuzzy pajama pants), sing more Chanukah songs, and nosh on donuts at our Oneg Shabbat.

On Saturday, December 28^th @ 9 a.m. I look forward to greeting our Tot Shabbat families at the back of Smith Auditorium for Shabbat Sh’mooze where we will enjoy coffee, donuts, more chanukah songs and, most importantly, community.

I know that many of you will be celebrating more than one holiday in your homes next Wednesday. Rachel Hall is the Assistant Director of Racial Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion for the Religious Action Center’s Audacious Hospitality team. She is fortunate to be raising her children in an interfaith partnership and wrote this wonderful article about her family. If you have a moment, I invite you to read it as it is a beautiful insight into what many interfaith families might be feeling during this holiday season. And, who knows, you might also be a “family of campers!”

No matter what and how you are celebrating over the next two weeks I pray that you get to be with those you love most that both rest and celebration are on your schedule, and that the light of the season shines upon you in the ways you need it most.

Shabbat Shalom