There are many mitzvot (good deeds) that are without measure…and the study of Torah is equal to them all, because it leads to them all. – Morning liturgy
Study is an important part of living an active Jewish Life. At the Coalition, we gather together every other month on a Saturday for a meaningful Shabbat study session called “All Things Jewish Considered.” Topics vary each month, and are selected by Coalition members. Rabbi James works hard to ensure that each session is filled with lots of laughing, learning, and meaning. Each gathering lasts for two hours and includes a light lunch. All texts are provided in English and no prior learning experience is required to participate. If you have a topic you would like to see addressed at ATJC, send an email to Rabbi James.
Dr Abraham Twerski wrote that, “in spirituality, the searching is the finding and the pursuit is the achievement.” Prayer and celebration in the Coalition are about searching for meaning through the wisdom of Jewish tradition. And, we join together in community for Shabbat and holiday experiences that are inspiring, meaningful and relevant.
At the Coalition, we welcome people from all religious backgrounds, all ages, and all walks of life to join in – to uplift each other and to grow together. We celebrate holidays with meaningful rituals and discussions as well as joy and laughter, music and food, and a strong sense of community. Whether you are already a member or are interested in learning more about our community, please join us!
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December, 2020
Dear Friends,
My family and I really love to bake. Whether it is challah for Shabbat or a cake for a special occasion, it is one of those things that we do together – as a family. This past week, I was at the grocery store picking up some items for a baking adventure. The young woman who was checking me out wished me a happy holiday and told me to have a, “great day on purpose.”
Her statement took my breath away, and it really pushed me to think about the purpose of my day, and how I was going to make it even better. Even though I don’t know her, she was part of that purposefully great day. It is often those small differences that make a big impact. This one interaction changed my entire outlook on the day. I thought about it all through the baking adventure with my family, and it got me thinking about the purpose of our upcoming Hanukkah holiday.
Hanukkah means dedication. The word comes from the Maccabees’ rededication of the Temple after the revolution. For them, it was about re-engaging with old traditions that had been set aside. This year, Hanukkah for us might include setting aside some of our long traditions in favor of zoom candle lightings, drop-off gift exchanges, or quiet nights at home instead of community parties. The “public commemoration of the miracle” which is the hallmark of this holiday may need to take new forms in this unusual year. And yet, it is the purpose we give to it that will signal our continued dedication to tradition, to each other, and to our command to bring more light into the darkest time of the year.
This year, we are going to be celebrating Hanukkah “on purpose!” Whether it is our Shabbat service on the second night of Hanukkah, on that Saturday night with a concert with musician Deborah Sacks Mintz, or on the last night of the holiday with a film discussion and candle lighting, we are looking for purposeful ways to connect, to be together, and to celebrate the light of this season. It is that planful and thoughtful process that makes the Coalition such a special community.
The Talmud, in tractate Shabbat (21b), tells us that it is a mitzvah to put the hanukiyah at the entrance of your home, so that everyone can see it. If you live upstairs, you are supposed to put it in a window. The idea being that you need to demonstrate your dedication in a public way. I want to invite you to think about bringing that sense of public dedication and purpose with you this month. Wherever you go, I hope you will bring the sense of joy “on purpose.” Don’t just let it happen. Rather, make it a choice that is planful and thoughtful, and leads you to a more fulfilling and connected holiday season.
I look forward to seeing you at some of our virtual events this month, and to celebrating Hanukkah with you in the weeks ahead. As we approach the holiday next week, Jen, Talyah, Kol, and I wish each of you a holiday full of light and joy and purpose.
Kol Tuv (Be Well),
Rabbi James
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Since I shared with you my family’s love of baking, I thought it might be nice to also share with you one of our family recipes for a Hanukkah treat – suf ganiyot. These jelly-filled donuts are a sweet and fun treat to make and even better to eat! Enjoy this little piece of our family’s Hanukkah celebration! – Rabbi James
Ingredients:
No matter what your connection to Judaism is, you’ll find programming that appeals to you at the Coalition. No matter how you engage with Jewish life, we are here to serve you. We have gathered several web resources that can provide useful information about Jewish life in Litchfield, and the Jewish world.