B’nai Portland

December

Thanksgiving to me is one of thoseholidays that we prepweeks in advance.shopping, family arriving and leaving,another trip to the store to get whatyou forgot, cooking, more cooking,and in a flash the meal is over. Allthat effort totally worth it for thebreak from routineof sharing a meal with special people.My family makes it a point to take amoment and each speak of ourthankfulness. For me, this time ofyear can become so overwhelming,holiday stress and the shortenedlight of day makes it’s easy tobummed out.

Contents

Upcoming Events 2

Community Events 2

Hanukkah Story in Brief 3

Story of Judith 3

Hanukkah Blessings 4

Donations 4

Kids’ Page 5

Playing Dreidel 5

Kids Can Cook 5

Upcoming Shabbat Services& Suggested Donations

All Services begin at 6:30pmat Lunt Auditorium in Falmouth

January 11th - Diapers, sizes 3 - 5

February 8th - Feminine Hygiene products

March 8th - Food Drive for April break

Our Website willsoon be live!

Check us out atwww.bnaiportland.com

B’nai Portland552 Blackstrap Rd Falmouth, ME 04105207-613-5888 bnai.portland@gmail.com

December, 2018 Newsletter

Thanksgiving to me is one of thoseholidays that we prep for days, if notweeks in advance. Lists, recipes,shopping, family arriving and leaving,another trip to the store to get whatyou forgot, cooking, more cooking,and in a flash the meal is over. Allthat effort totally worth it for thebreak from routine, and the blessingof sharing a meal with special people.My family makes it a point to take amoment and each speak of ourthankfulness. For me, this time ofyear can become so overwhelming,holiday stress and the shortenedlight of day makes it’s easy to feelbummed out. I really do try to start

Thoughts FromRabbi Laura

each day with a breath of thankfulnessthat I am getting another day. Each time Ipull into my driveway I am thankful forthe peace and beauty that is my home, andall throughout the day I am thankful formy vast number of friends and family whocommunicate and share lovea community I am constantly marveled bythe love, kindness, and generosity weexhibit towards each other especially intimes of need. This, to me, is what acommunity should be. I am thankful toeach of you who has stepped up andhelped another.

B’nai Portland is going to Israel in 2019.still room, so please join us! We leave April 12, 2019and return April 23, 2019. We have ahistory, sightseeing, shopping, hiking, and of coursefood! Climb Masada, float in the Dead Sea, stand in thecaves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found, eat yourweight in Israeli food at the Shuk in Jerusalem, enjoyPassover Seder on the beach in Tel Aviv, and moreamazing phenomenon…

Want to do a life cycle event while you are there? LetLaura know.

Want more info? We can email you the scpricing.

Rabbi Laura is happy to chaperoneinterested in going. Please reach out to her directly atrabbibnaiportland@gmail.com

Join Us in Israel!

Upcoming Shabbat Services& Suggested Donations:

at 6:30pmat Lunt Auditorium in Falmouth

5

Feminine Hygiene products

Food Drive for April break

Website will

www.bnaiportland.com

B’nai PortlandFalmouth, ME 04105

nai.portland@gmail.com

ewsletter

breath of thankfulnessthat I am getting another day. Each time Ipull into my driveway I am thankful forthe peace and beauty that is my home, andall throughout the day I am thankful formy vast number of friends and family whocommunicate and share love with me. Asa community I am constantly marveled bythe love, kindness, and generosity weexhibit towards each other especially intimes of need. This, to me, is what acommunity should be. I am thankful toeach of you who has stepped up and

- Laura

land is going to Israel in 2019. There isWe leave April 12, 2019

and return April 23, 2019. We have a full schedule ofhistory, sightseeing, shopping, hiking, and of course -

, float in the Dead Sea, stand in thecaves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found, eat your

the Shuk in Jerusalem, enjoyPassover Seder on the beach in Tel Aviv, and more

Want to do a life cycle event while you are there? Let

Want more info? We can email you the schedule and

bbi Laura is happy to chaperone teens if your child isin going. Please reach out to her directly at:

Join Us in Israel!

n

Sunday December 9th

4-6 pm at the Lunt Auditorium in Falmouth

All are welcome to come celebrate Chanukah, food, crafts,games, Yankee Swap (bring a wrapped child’s gift for each childparticipating), and Toy donation (bring an unwrapped gift todonate - remember older kids like things too).

THIS IS AN RSVP EVENT: Bnai.Portland@gmail.com.

Please RSVP by NOV 30th

(Non B’nai Portland families are $5.00 per person)

B’nai Portland Upcoming Events and Happenings

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Project Zug: Online Partnership Learning presentsA FOOD TOUR OF THE TALMUD

SELF-PACED ONLINE COURSE STARTS JANUARY, 2019

Co-sponsored by The Center for Small Town Jewish Lifeand the Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine

Food is a powerful force at the center of ritual, community andethics. This class will explore all of these aspects of food bystudying passages on food found across the Talmud. How can theact of eating become a practice of gratitude? Who should receivefood as charity, and how much? What rights do field-workershave? Jumping into the lively debate of Talmud will pave the wayfor rich discussion to affirm, challenge, and transform our ownapproaches to food. This online course is facilitated by RabbiAviva Richman of The Hadar Institute, New York.

How this course works:Sign up with Project Zug to gain access to the full coursematerials when the course launches in January. You’ll learnonline with a chevruta - a traditional-style study buddy: You caneither list your study partner when you register, or write “MatchMe” to have us pair you with another Mainer! We’ll send youupdates about the course, but the two of you can work through itat your own pace. We’ll have a kickoff event at Beth IsraelCongregation in Bath in January, and a siyyum (a capstone event)at this June’s Maine Conference for Jewish Life in Waterville - soyou and your chevruta may have a chance to learn together inperson!

Registrants will receive emails with all details, including the datethat the first materials will be released online.

What do you need?You’ll need a computer with internet connectivity (a camera is

very helpful, but can be worked around), a chevruta (whichwe can provide you), and the desire to engage meaningfullywith Jewish texts!

No prior experience with text study or chevruta learning?No problem! The Project Zug experience ensures that thiscurated material will be amplified and explained byrenowned teachers. This 10-week course can take the 10weeks allotted - or you and your partner might take a slowerpace, to account for your schedules or to spend more timewith the texts. How long your study sessions are, whetheryou prepare individually or work through everythingtogether - the decisions are yours. This is an amazingopportunity to build our Maine Jewish community, andenhance our relationships to one another, through traditionallearning - and to do it from the comfort of our own homes!

The Center for Small Town Jewish Life and the JCA arethrilled to be partnering with Project Zug to bring the MaineJewish community an amazing learning opportunity at anincredible price. If you need some tech support, we are hereto help! We encourage learners of all backgrounds to dive in.We’re excited to offer a special scholarship opportunity to thefirst 20 registrants for this program! Use code First20 in yourregistration for an amazing 50% discount off of the $36tuition fee, for first 20 registrants only. That’s 10 weeks ofhigh-caliber learning for just $18!

Questions about this program?We’re happy to talk to you! Email Melanie Weiss atmaweiss@colby.edu

Register online at:https://colbycollegejewishlife.regfox.com/project-zug

TZEDAKAH CELEBRATION

Hanukkah Party

This must not miss event will beheld on Sunday, April 7th

It’s a traditional Seder, but everythingis made of chocolate!

Stay tuned for more info on this event!

Chocolate Seder

Community Events and HappeningsA FOOD TOUR OF THE TALMUD

Thursday, November 29th 5-6:30pmJewish Community Alliance 1342 Congress Street, Portland

What is Mitzvah Team?Join us at our Tzedakah Celebration to find out! Come learn more about family volunteer opportunities and do some specialactivities with Michael Klahr Jewish Family Services, the Book Fairy Pantry Project, The Cedars and Ronald McDonald HouseCharities of Maine! We will share dinner and tzedakah-themed activities together, plus enjoy a visit from some very specialprincesses. Please bring a favorite dairy/vegetarian dish to share (no meat please) and snacks to donate to kids need.

Since the miracle that occurred involved oil, we eatfoods that have been cooked in oil. Sufganiyot, theHebrew word for doughnuts, and potato latkes, whichare shredded potato pancakes, are eaten on Chanukah.Latkes are sometimes eaten with sour cream and/orapplesauce.

Some families exchange gifts on Chanukah, somefamilies give gelt. Some families purchase one largegift for their children, or they purchase eight smallgifts. Sometimes there are gifts that are meant for theentire family. Families differ in their approach to gifts,but whatever your family does, remember to also be agiver of gifts, not just a receiver.

THE STORY OF JUDITH - In the Middle Ages Hanukkah festivities celebrated more than just the valiant deeds of theMaccabees. For several centuries there was another hero associated with Hanukkah: Judith. The Book of Judith promisedthat her praise would "never depart from the heart of those who remember the power of God," and that her actions would"go down through all generations of our descendants." While not historically connected to the story of the Maccabees, theBook of Judith shares the theme of Jewish faith and courage overcoming a larger force.

The Rabbis who included Judith in their Hanukkah narrative could not have imagined a time when the story of Judith'sbravery in the face of enormous danger would cease to be part of the legacy of the Jewish people passed down from onegeneration to the next. And, yet, like so many other Jewish women, Judith has been virtually written out of the Hanukkahnarrative as we know it. Who was she? Why should we remember her?

In the second century B.C.E., as the powerful Assyrian army invaded the Near East, the town of Bethulia was besieged bythe cruel and domineering Holofernes, the Assyrian emperor Nebuchadnezzar's top general. If Bethulia fell, the wholecountry would come under Assyrian control. Discouraged, the city's elders agreed to surrender if they were not rescuedwithin a few days. Judith, a young widow and most unlikely savior, challenged them to take responsibility for the survivalof their famine-stricken community. Accompanied only by her maid, she set out for the enemy camp. There, she offeredhim cheese to make him thirsty and wine to appease his thirst. But the wine induced drowsiness, and while he slept,Judith beheaded him, which weakened the enemy and led to the historic victory of the Jews. Essentially, it was cheese thatled to the downfall of the Syrian-Greeks. Cheesecake, blintzes, and other cheese-centric dishes have made their way tomany Hanukkah celebrations as a result.

Judith's faith and courage changed the course of history. Modern-day Judiths carry on her legacy as they dare to act, tospeak, to teach, and to write themselves into the record of American Jewish history. Examples include artist Judy Chicago,writer Judy Blume, social and political activist Judith Epstein, and other Jewish women whose deeds continue to inspireus. Who would you add to this list? Who are the Judiths who have inspired you? Publicize the miracle of Hanukkah bytelling Judith's story, and by spreading the stories of modern Jewish women.

Hanukkah (or Chanukah) is the Jewish Festival of Lights.There is no mention of Hanukkah in the Torah since thestory happened after Torah was complete. Hanukkahdates back to two centuries before the beginning ofChristianity in the land of Judea, which is now Israel. Theword Hanukkah means rededication and celebrates one ofthe greatest miracles in Jewish history.

Long ago in the land of Judea there lived a Syrian kingnamed Antiochus. The king ordered the Jewish people toreject their God, their religion, their customs, and theirbeliefs and to worship the Greek gods. There were somewho did as they were told, but many refused. One whorefused was Judah Maccabee. Judah and his four brothersformed an army and chose as their name the word“Maccabee”, which means hammer. After three years offighting, the Maccabees were finally successful in drivingthe Syrians out of Judea and reclaimed the temple inJerusalem. The Maccabees cleaned the building andremove the hated Greek symbols and statues. On the 25th

of Kislev, the job was finished and the temple wasrededicated.

When Judah and his followers finished cleaning thetemple, they wanted to light the eternal light, known asthe Ner Tamid, which is present in every Jewish house ofworship. Once lit, the oil lamp should never beextinguished. Only a tiny jug of oil was found with onlyenough for a single day. The oil lamp was filled and lit.Then a miracle occurred as the tiny amount of oil stayedlit not for 1 day, but for 8 days!

Jews celebrate Hanukkah to mark the victory over theSyrians and the rededication of the Jerusalem temple.

The Story of Hanukkah, in Brief The festival of lights, Hanukkah, lasts for eight days tocommemorate the miracle of the oil.

Today, Hanukkah is celebrated by lighting one candle on theHanukiah (an eight-stemmed candelabrum) on the firstnight, increasing by one each night. The Hanukiahsymbolizes how God looked after the Jewish people at thatdifficult time. Games are often played at Hanukkah. Themost common game uses a dreidel and is a popular way ofhelping children to remember the great miracle. Each sideof the dreidel bears a letter of the Hebrew alphabet: נ (Nun),ג (Gimel), ה (Hay), ש (Shin), which together form theacronym for Nes Gadol Hayah Sham - “a great miraclehappened there". Dreidels that are in Israel have a differentletter for the final word. Instead of a ש (Shin), they have a פ(Pay), which stands for Nes Gadol Hayah Poe, “a greatmiracle happened here”.

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HANUKKAH BLESSINGSOn the first night of Chanukah, three blessings are recited whenlighting the candles. On the following nights onlyrecited. We say the She-he-che-yanu on the first night to honorthe first time we are lighting the candles and thanking God forbringing us to this time.

Said on all the nights of Chanukah:

Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, melech ha-olam, asher kid’shanub’mitzvotav v’tsivanu l’hadlik ner shel Hanukkah.

Blessed are You, our God, Ruler of the universe, Who sanctifiedus with your commandments, and commanded usChanukah light.

Baruch ata Adonai Elohaynu melech ha-olam, shehseem l’avotaynu ba-ya-meem ha-hame baz-

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, Whoperformed miracles for our ancestors in those days

Add on the first night only:

Baruch ata Adonai Elohaynu melech ha-olam, she’he’cheyanuv’key-manu, v’he-ge’anu laz-man hazeh.

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, Whohas kept us alive, sustained us, and enabled usseason.

On the 25th of Kislev arethe days of Hanukkah,which are eight... these

were appointed a Festivalwith Hallel [prayers of

praise] and thanksgiving.

-Shabbat 21b,Babylonian Talmud

DonationsCarol & Ed FriedmanHilary & Joe GoodmanRoberta AlexanderJared & Jen LevinDaniel & Sasha KatzBonita Leah NeuchillerLisa FriedlanderThea BoenischPatrick & Susan MartinDebra OsswaldAdam & Hilda GinsbergAndy & Hester MishkinJohn Wentzell & Anna FinckeRussell KabackAdam GardnerBonita Leah NeuchillerRichard & Kerri EngJared & Jen LevinSusan H. GattiAdam & Hilda GinsbergJared & Jen Levin

William GerberKaren CashmanKaren CashmanGrayce Reich

three blessings are recited whenlighting the candles. On the following nights only two are

yanu on the first night to honorthe first time we are lighting the candles and thanking God for

olam, asher kid’shanub’mitzvotav v’tsivanu l’hadlik ner shel Hanukkah.

Blessed are You, our God, Ruler of the universe, Who sanctifiedus with your commandments, and commanded us to kindle the

olam, sheh-ah-sa nee--man he-zeh.

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, Whoformed miracles for our ancestors in those days at this time.

olam, she’he’cheyanu

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, Whohas kept us alive, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this

A woman goes to the post office to buystamps for her Hanukkahto the clerk, "May I please have 50Hanukkah stamps?" The clerk says,"What denomination?" The woman says,"Oy vey - Has it come to this? Give me 6Orthodox, 12 Conservative, and 32

In Honor of

High Holy DaysRosh HashanahBernard SeligsonRosh HashanahRosh HashanahRosh HashanahHigh Holy DaysRosh HashanahRosh HashanahRosh HashanahMia Ginsberg Bat MitzvahChanukah Lunt Rental

John Wentzell & Anna Fincke Rosh HashanahRosh HashanahRichard SullivanYom KippurYom KippurYom KippurRosh HashanahEsther Ginsberg FuneralAndy Mishkin Get WellGiftShelby Bat MitzvahDanika Bat MitzvahHigh Holy DaysCalvin & Elijah Bumby,Nyla & Asher Reich

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A woman goes to the post office to buyHanukkah cards. She says

to the clerk, "May I please have 50stamps?" The clerk says,

"What denomination?" The woman says,Has it come to this? Give me 6

Orthodox, 12 Conservative, and 32

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Hanukkah Apple Smash Makes 6 servings.Serve your own chunky-style apple "smash" with your latkes.

What you'll need: 4 apples (peeled, cored, and cut into bite-size pieces), 1/2 cup applejuice, 1 cinnamon stick, 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Make it: Place the first four ingredients in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heatfor 10 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 10 minutes. Smash with a potatomasher. Then, spoon into serving bowls and sprinkle with ground cinnamon.

PLAYING DREIDELTo play dreidel, you need a group of people, age doesn’t really matter as long as they are old enough to understand therules and spin the dreidel. You will need gelt. Gelt is the German word for money. You can use chocolate gelt which is soldin stores, pennies that you have laying around the house, or any other small item as betting paraphernalia. (candy,crackers, M&M’s). Each person puts a piece of gelt in the center to start the pot, and play begins. On your turn you spinthe dreidel. Depending on the letter that comes up, this will determine what happens next.

נ NUN = nothing. You neither get nor give money.

ג GIMMEL = all, you take the entire pot.

ה HAY = you take half the pot

ש SHIN = you need to put one in the pot

After someone spins a ג (Gimmel) and takes all the gelt, the pot has to be refilled, so everyone puts in a piece for the play

to continue. Play continues around until someone has all the gelt.

Kids Page

Kids Can Cook

DIY MENORAHHere are a couple of links to DIY sites:

http://amp.timeinc.net/foodandwine/fwx/secrets/5-very-impressive-hacks-diy-menorah

https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/diy-menorahs-1791433