From Our Office Administrator
Dear UUCR Friends,
I feel so fortunate to be part of a UUCR Community that embraces many belief systems, spreading love and acceptance every step of the way. I have been asked how my family celebrates Hanukkah, so I thought I would share with you. As many of you are familiar, Hanukkah is a Jewish Holiday that celebrates two miracles. The first miracle was that a small band of Jewish Freedom Fighters (The Maccabees) ousted a huge Greek army who had refused to let their people practice their faith, and had taken over and desecrated the sacred Jewish Temple in Jerusalem.
The second miracle, and the most well known, was that the tiny bit of sacred oil needed for the eternal flame that was found in the demolished temple, lasted for eight days until more oil was procured.
It is important to recognize that different families celebrate differently. Our family loves to eat Latkes (potato pancakes fried in oil) and play dreidel. Gifts were actually a cultural addition in the holiday’s more recent history. It is said that gifts were added because of Hanukkah’s proximity to Christmas. Everyone does gifts differently. Some people give gifts each day of the holiday, some at their family’s gathering, some do not give many gifts at all. My family has reserved one night of Hanukkah each year to give a gift to the world. This is a night when we engage in “Tikun Olam” or “healing the world” and each child chooses what to do or give to make the world a better place.
Lighting the candles can be quite magical. Even with young children, we noticed that once the candles were lit, with the lights off, there is a stillness that descends, even if for only a moment. When our extended family gets together, everyone brings their menorah and the dining room table is aglow as we sing our prayers and Hanukkah songs. It has always been a very special time for our family.
Whether you are kindling the candles of Advent, Chalica, Kwanzaa or Hanukkah or any combination of them all, I am wishing you a season of light and miracles come true!
Linda