GJC Celebrates! Hanukah – Eight Nights
Thursday, December 10 through Thursday, December 17
Come add YOUR light to each night of Hanukah with GJC! Come as you are to GJC’s pandemic version of putting your candles in the window. Making or sitting down to dinner? In your PJs? Settling in or still have your coat on? It all works. Each night we will gather as a community to sing songs, share stories, and light our individual Hanukiyot together. Those who wish to stay on longer can listen to, watch, or participate in a program each night as well. On Saturday, December 12, Dorshei Derekh will lead the candle lighting with Havdalah and the Stefan Presser Memorial Program. On Sunday, December 13, children in grades 2-7 are welcome to join Religious School’s Hanukkamp! at 9:30 AM. Keep reading for full details!
The lawn in front of GJC has been home to the Dancing Children Hanukiyah since 2000, with Men’s Club volunteers assembling the structure every year. This menorah is an integral part of the GJC community, bringing light to the Holiday and the whole neighborhood. Although the Hanukiyah cannot be physically assembled this year, GJC is bringing the Dancing Children into your homes with a virtual candle lighting each night of Hanukah.
Please join Men’s Club in sponsoring a candle in honor or memory of someone special in your life. Each night we will light our individual Hanukiyot as a community (via Zoom), and the names of those honored or remembered will be read. Lightings are at 6:00 PM on December 10 and 12-17 and at 4:00 PM on Friday, December 11. To sponsor a candle, please download this form and send it with payment where specified. Candles are $36/candle (checks made payable to GJC Men’s Club.) Funds collected support numerous GJC activities. Thank you for helping to light the night!
VIRTUAL HANUKAH CANDLELIGHTING
Come light your candles with us each night of Hanukah. We will start with a song, read the names of those honored or remembered with a sponsored candle, light our hanukiyot, and sing blessings. Each night has a theme with a question to think about, and during the candlelighting, you will have the opportunity to share your thoughts. We will end with singing a favorite Hanukah song together. On every night except Friday, there will be a short program after the candlelighting, should you choose to stay on to watch, listen, or participate.
DOWNLOAD THE HANUKAH SONGSHEET HERE!
THURSDAY, DEC. 10: “BEGINNINGS”
Question to ponder: Where are you starting from?
6:00 PM: Virtual Candle Lighting with Rabbi Zeff
6:15 PM: Stay on to listen to the musical talent of Mikael Elsila on piano!
____________________________________
FRIDAY, DEC. 11: “COURAGE”
Question to ponder: When are you at your bravest?
4:00 PM: EARLY Virtual Candle Lighting with Rabbi Richman
____________________________________
SATURDAY, DEC. 12: “HOPE IS AN ETHICAL IMPERATIVE”
6:00 PM: Virtual Havdalah & Candle Lighting led by Dorshei Derekh
6:30 PM: “Hope as an Ethical Imperative: An Exploration for the 3rd Night of Hanukkah” Stefan Presser Memorial Program with Dr. Barbara Breitman – Bobbi Breitman will be leading us in an exploration and discussion of the idea of hope as an ethical imperative at this historic moment. Our one-hour gathering will include time for small group discussions. This program is sponsored by the Stefan Presser Memorial Committee of Minyan Dorshei Derekh.
____________________________________
SUNDAY, DEC. 13: “BALANCE”
9:30 AM: Hanukkamp! Maccabees in bathing suits, dreidels dancing around the campfire, latkes paddling around the lake… Summer camp & Hanukkah are a perfect match! 2nd- 7th graders — and their parents — are invited to join in Hanukkah themed Zoom-activities, led by four awesome Jewish Summer camps. Have some Hanukkah fun while learning about the best places to spend the summer!
Question to ponder: What keeps you steady?
6:00 PM: Virtual Candle Lighting with Rabbi Richman
6:15 PM: Stay on for a Hanukah Torah & Yoga with Leah Weisman!
____________________________________
MONDAY, DEC. 14: “DIFFERENCE”
Question to ponder: What is good about being different?
6:00 PM: Virtual Candle Lighting with Rabbi Richman
6:15 PM: Stay on for a text study with Rabbi Richman!
____________________________________
TUESDAY, DEC. 15: “JUSTICE”
Question to ponder: Who inspires you to seek justice?
6:00 PM: Virtual Candle Lighting with Rabbi Zeff
6:15 PM: Stay on for Songs of Justice with Chana Rothman!
____________________________________
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 16: “DREAMS”
Question to ponder: What is the world YOU dream of?
6:00 PM: Virtual Candle Lighting with Rabbi Richman
6:15 PM: Stay on for “Love and Light on the 7th Night: Deepening our Sense of Well-Being” with Rabbi Malkah Binah Klein and Rabbi Sheila Weinberg, leaders of the Tuesday morning Jewish meditation group.
____________________________________
THURSDAY, DEC. 17: “LIGHT”
Question to ponder: What lights your way?
6:00 PM: Virtual Candle Lighting with Rabbi Zeff
6:15 PM: Stay on for storytelling and oud playing with Rabbi Zeff!