Mindy's Musings
December 2023

Dear Friends,
Happy Chanukah and I wish you great joy and celebration at this time of miracles. We have had a wonderful first semester of Religious School, with a new Chug program and lots of activities and a few new families that joined us this year. In particular, I want to give a shout out to Gwen Larsen who is volunteering by teaching Israeli dancing in our Religious School once a month. It is such a joy to see our kids moving around in our building again, and inspirational to see them enjoying our culture in its many forms.
B’ezrat Hashem, I hope maybe by the time you receive this we will have some light at the end of the dark tunnel we have been experiencing recently. However, at this upcoming time of joy, our lights will likely still be dimmed by the time Chanukah is upon us because of the Israeli and foreign hostages still being held in Gaza, IDF soldiers losing their lives, and the Palestinian families who have lost loved ones or been displaced in the war. As you think about lighting your Chanukah menorah this year, maybe consider lighting an extra candle that sits aside your menorah, which represents all the people who will not be celebrating Chanukah this year. And at this time of dedication, let’s dedicate our lives to bringing peace in our world and hoping/praying for everyone’s safety and wellbeing.
THANK YOU
Families - Thank you to all our Religious School parents and families and temple members that contributed to our Emmaus House Food Drive in November this year. Our community always has folks who are food insecure and we are helping our own neighbors right in our backyard.
UPCOMING RELIGIOUS SCHOOL EVENTS
Sunday, Dec 3 – Religious School (9:00 AM)
Friday, Dec 8 – Chanukah Potluck Dinner & Family Service (6:00 PM)
Sunday, Dec 10 - Chanukah Party in partnership with PJ Library (10:30 AM, Religious School at 9:00 AM)
Sunday, Dec 17 – Religious School (9:00 AM)
Sunday, Dec 24 & 31 – Winter Vacation – No Religious School – Happy New Year!
Wishing you all a season of light and joy – and all good things for this secular New Year.
B’shalom,
Mindy Harris
Happy Chanukah and I wish you great joy and celebration at this time of miracles. We have had a wonderful first semester of Religious School, with a new Chug program and lots of activities and a few new families that joined us this year. In particular, I want to give a shout out to Gwen Larsen who is volunteering by teaching Israeli dancing in our Religious School once a month. It is such a joy to see our kids moving around in our building again, and inspirational to see them enjoying our culture in its many forms.
B’ezrat Hashem, I hope maybe by the time you receive this we will have some light at the end of the dark tunnel we have been experiencing recently. However, at this upcoming time of joy, our lights will likely still be dimmed by the time Chanukah is upon us because of the Israeli and foreign hostages still being held in Gaza, IDF soldiers losing their lives, and the Palestinian families who have lost loved ones or been displaced in the war. As you think about lighting your Chanukah menorah this year, maybe consider lighting an extra candle that sits aside your menorah, which represents all the people who will not be celebrating Chanukah this year. And at this time of dedication, let’s dedicate our lives to bringing peace in our world and hoping/praying for everyone’s safety and wellbeing.
THANK YOU
Families - Thank you to all our Religious School parents and families and temple members that contributed to our Emmaus House Food Drive in November this year. Our community always has folks who are food insecure and we are helping our own neighbors right in our backyard.
UPCOMING RELIGIOUS SCHOOL EVENTS
Sunday, Dec 3 – Religious School (9:00 AM)
Friday, Dec 8 – Chanukah Potluck Dinner & Family Service (6:00 PM)
Sunday, Dec 10 - Chanukah Party in partnership with PJ Library (10:30 AM, Religious School at 9:00 AM)
Sunday, Dec 17 – Religious School (9:00 AM)
Sunday, Dec 24 & 31 – Winter Vacation – No Religious School – Happy New Year!
Wishing you all a season of light and joy – and all good things for this secular New Year.
B’shalom,
Mindy Harris