Chanukah

CHANUKAH

CHANUKAH AT CBE 
NOVEMBER 28 --> DECEMBER 5, 2021
 

MITZVAH MENORAH: Beginning Friday, Nov 19th through Friday, Dec 17th, our Social Action Committee is once again sponsoring our Mitzvah Menorah.  The menorah will be set up in the lobby with gift requests for those in need in our community.  Just come in and pick the gifts you wish to purchase and bring them unwrapped to the bin in the lobby.   Questions?  Contact Liz

8 NIGHTS OF "FUN"DRAISER: CHANUKAH BASKET RAFFLE : 
Our Religious School is raffling off 8 Gift Baskets (one per each night of Chanukah!).  Raffle tickets go on sale ($18/for 8 raffles) on Nov 14th.  One winner per ticket purchase (set of 8 tickets). Raffles will be picked each night of Chanukah after Chanukah Menorah lighting.  See web site calendar for details.  For basket descriptions, CLICK HERE.  To purchase raffle tickets, CLICK HERE  Questions?  Contact Kerryn Kent

LET'S LIGHT OUR CHANUKAH MENORAH'S TOGETHER via ZOOM & LIVE STREAM
Join CBE Clergy & Staff.  Don't forget to get your menorah!
*Sunday, November 28th --> Thursday, December 2nd & Sunday, December 5th at 5:15 PM via ZOOM. CLICK HERE to join Zoom. If prompted to provide a password, it is CBE.  

  COME IN & LEARN with Rabbi Shpeen
  Wednesday, December 1st at NOON
  Join Rabbi Shpeen for a Chanukah celebration.  You can join us In Person (proof of vaccination      is required) or via ZOOM (password is CBE) or LIVESTREAM.  Questions? Contact Deb Sokoler
 

CHANUKAH SHABBAT UNPLUGGED SERVICE + CELEBRATE DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS:
Friday, December 3rd at 5:30 PM
Join IN PERSON (please show proof of vaccination) or via LIVE STREAM.

 COME TO CBE & LET'S LIGHT THE MENORAH TOGETHER!
   Saturday, December 4th at 5:00 PM
  ALL are invited to join us in the CBE Parking Lot as we celebrate Chanukah light     TOGETHER!!

 CHANUKAH BRISKET DINNER TAKE OUT PREPARED BY BROTHERHOOD
 Saturday, December 4th at 5:30 PM
 Dinner includes:  Brisket, latkes, candied carrots, challah roll & David's cookie
 Vegetarian Option:  Wild mushroom ravioli with marinara sauce in lieu of brisket
 Cost:  $15/person.  Order by Thursday, Dec 2nd.  CLICK HERE to order
 Unable to get to Beth Emeth?  Contact Deb Sokoler to arrange for home delivery.

CHANUKAH ON JAY STREET - A COMMUNITY EVENT
Sunday, December 5th  2:00 - 4:00 PM
On Jay St in front of Schenectady City Hall. Live music & food, master illusionist Ilan Smith, crafts, food, grand Menorah Lighting + more. Beth Emeth will have a fun crafting booth. Fun for all ages!!! Questions? Contact Kerryn Kent 

CHANUKAH FILM FESTIVAL
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 28 --> MONDAY, DECEMBER 6

Celebrate Hanukkah with 8 nights of award-winning films available to view at home via TV, computer or mobile devices.  Cost is $36 which provides you with 11 films, plus exclusive film maker discussions with new content added each night of Hanukkah.  CLICK HERE to register  Use the promo code - CBEALB  
Questions?  Contact Deb Sokoler  or 518 436-9761 x230

ALL ABOUT CHANUKAH:
Chanukah, meaning "dedication" in Hebrew refers to the joyous eight-day celebration during which Jews commemorate the victory of the Maccabees over the armies of Syria in 165 B.C.E. and the subsequent liberation and "rededication" of the Temple in Jerusalem.  The modern home celebration of Chanukah centers around the lighting of the chanukiyah a special menorah for Chanukah; foods prepared in oil including latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts); and special songs and games.  

HOW TO LIGHT THE CHANUKIYAH:

Candles are added to the chanukiyah (menorah) from right to left but are kindled from left to right.  The newest candle is lit first.  (On the Shabbat of Chanukah, kindle the chanukiyah before the Shabbat candles)

Light the shamash (the helper candle) first, using it to kindle the rest of the Chanukah lights.  As you do, say or sing:

Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotzv v'tsivanu l'hadlik ner shel Chanukah
Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, who hallows us with mitzvot, commanding us to kindle the Chanukah lights

Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu Melech haolam, she-asah nisim laavoteinu v'imoteinu bayamim hahaeim baz'man hazeh
Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, who performed wonderous deeds for our ancestors in days of old at this season

On the first night, we add:

Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech Haolam, shechecheyanu vi'kiy'manu v'higianu laz'man hazeh
Blessed are you, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, for giving us life, for sustaining us, and for enabling us to reach the season

HOW TO MAKE LATKES:

ingredients:  2 large Russet potatoes 1 large onion peeled 2 large eggs 1⁄2 cup all-purpose flour 2 tsp coarse kosher salt 1 tsp baking powder 1⁄2 tsp freshly ground black pepper Safflower or other oil, for frying apple sauce or sour cream for serving.

Preparation: Using a food processor with a coarse grating disc, grate the potatoes and onion. Drain out the remaining liquid. Working quickly, transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Add the eggs, flour, salt, baking powder, and pepper, and mix thoroughly. In a heavy pan over medium-high heat, pour in about 1/4 inch of the oil. Once the oil is very hot, use a heaping tablespoon to drop the batter into the pan, cooking in batches. Use a spatula to flatten and shape the drops into discs. When the edges of the latkes are brown and crispy, about 5 minutes, flip. Cook until the second side is deeply browned, about another 5 minutes. Transfer the latkes to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and sprinkle with salt while still warm.

HOW TO PLAY DREIDEL:

Playing dreidel is a Chanukah tradition. The dreidel, or in Hebrew, sevivon, means “to turn around.” The four letters on the dreidel, stand for the saying, Nes Gadol Haya Sham, meaning A Great Miracle Happened There. 

Basic Rules: 1. Each player begins the game with gelt or coins (or m&m’s, cheerios, etc.). 2 Before starting, each player puts one “coin” into the center “pot.” This is done again every time the pot becomes empty. 3. Decide on a player to go first and move clockwise around the circle. 4. Each player gets one turn to spin the dreidel. 5. Depending on what side is facing up, follow these rules: Nun: Nothing - player does nothing Gimel: Get - player gets everything in pot Hey: Half - player gets half of the pot (odd, round up) Shin: Put in - the player puts one coin in pot 6. When one player has won everything, the game is over.

CLICK HERE  to download a pdf of all of the above + more!

CLICK HERE to hear how to sing the blessings + more

 How to Play Dreidel: Playing dreidel is a Chanukah tradition. The dreidel, or in Hebrew, sevivon, means “to turn around.” The four letters on the dreidel, stand for the saying, Nes Gadol Haya Sham, meaning A Great Miracle Happened There. Basic Rules: 1 Each player begins the game with gelt or coins (or m&m’s, cheerios, etc.). 2 Before starting, each player puts one “coin” into the center “pot.” This is done again every time the pot becomes empty.  3.  Decide on a player to go first and move clockwise around the circle. 4. Each player gets one turn to spin the dreidel. 5. Depending on what side is facing up, follow these rules: Nun: Nothing - player does nothing Gimel: Get - player gets everything in pot Hey: Half - player gets half of the pot (odd, round up) Shin: Put in - the player puts one coin in pot 6. When one player has won everything, the game is over.

CLICK HERE for 8 Social Justice Gifts to Make the World a Better Place This Chanukah
CLICK HERE for more about Chanukah including songs, recipes, rituals and more from the URJ