"Hanukkah is about the spark of the divine in all of us...”—Suzanne Fields
This past Sunday there was a Chanukah (alternate spelling) San Jose event for family, friends and the community
at Santana Row’s stage area where there was live music, dancing, singing including the children, and lighting of the menorah by Rabbi Mendel Weinfeld of Chabad House Almaden in San Jose, and others. A free Menorah and Candle kit were given attendees upon request. We had been invited to attend by Mendel whom Cecile and I have come to know over the past year. He is a real mensch and knows how to bring people, families, and a community together. It made no difference that I am not a Jew, though Cecile is, and our children were raised in the Jewish tradition and were Bar and Bat Mitzvah’d. However, in past years, I have worked with rabbis in interfaith dialogue, led meditation services and spiritual readings before Shabbat services, and even sang in a temple choir at Shir Hadash, a Reform synagogue. All this to say, I have a deep respect for the tradition and have done self-study in Judaism.
Unfortunately, for personal reasons we weren’t able to attend the grand event. But after, we got back from vacation in Maui
with our family including our granddaughters, I received a heartfelt message from Mendel, informing me that the event drew close to 2000 people. He added that had been thinking of me and said he was sure we were going to have some beautiful upcoming family celebration this year and wanted to take this moment to wish me and our family a happy Chanukah. The Rabbi ended with “May the light of the Menorah that shines so brightly continue to shine for you and your family.”
Speaking of light, Cecile and brought some Hanukkah gifts for our granddaughters Lyla who goes to Jewish preschool and her little sister Emmy who will begin part time in January. The custom is to give one big present and smaller presents for each of the eight days of Hanukkah. But, the light in our hearts that they place there, are for us, the most precious and joyous gift of all.
Origin of Hanukkah: It is a Jewish holiday which commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over the larger Syrian army. It also celebrates a miracle that happened during this time. During the dedication of the Temple, there was only enough oil to burn the candles for one day. However, the candles burned for eight consecutive nights, giving the Jews time to find more oil. The eight days of Hanukkah celebrates this miracle and it teaches Jews, and perhaps all of us, not to curse the darkness but to light a candle, for if you keep your face towards the sunshine in the midst of adversity, the shadows will fall behind you.
