Looking for new ways to celebrate Hanukkah this year? Here are some historical ideas.
In Morocco, Algeria and other North African communities, it was customary to hang the menorah on a hook in the doorway, beside the mezuzah. Putting the menorah near the mezuzah was thought to enhance the protection already offered by the mezuzah.
Jews in Romania, as well as Austria and other central European communities, scraped out potatoes, filling each potato space with oil and a wick to serve as the menorah. Rather than putting all eight out at once, each day they added another potato.
The Jewish community of Aleppo, which comprised mostly Sephardic Jews who had escaped the Inquisition, lit an extra shamash on each night of Hanukkah. Several explanations exist — some say that the second shamash was meant to honor God and acknowledge the divine intervention that brought them to safety. Others say the custom was a nod toward the non-Jews of Aleppo, who welcomed them as refugees.
It is a mitzvah to place the hanukkiah at the entrance to one’s house on the outside, so that all can see it. However, Jerusalem winters are often wet and windy, so the community began crafting aquarium-like glass boxes to protect their flames. Inside, Jerusalem Jews put small cups of olive oil and lit a wick to correspond with each night. . During the Saturday night that falls during Hanukkah, after Shabbat ended, the Jews of Avignon open a new bottle of local wine in their homes and make a toast. Then, each family travels around their neighborhood to taste the wines chosen by their neighbors and to toast to the miracle of Hanukkah.
In some parts of Morocco, Jewish children spend the last day of Hanukkah going from house to house to collect the leftover cotton wicks that Moroccan Jews used in place of candles. At sundown, the wicks are ignited to create a large bonfire, and each community gathers to sing, dance and even leap over the fire. L'shalom, Rabbi Susan
TBS Calendar ~ לוּחַ שָׁנָה
Check out our website to view our calendar and discover the wonderful events coming up! View the TBS Calendar
This Week’s Calendar Thurs., Nov. 30 ~ 12:00 Great Thoughts Fri., Dec. 1 ~ 5:00 Oneg 5:30 Shabbat Service Sat., Dec. 2 ~ 10:00 Shabbat Service Sun., Dec. 3 ~ 9:30 Sunday School; 1:00 Golda Film Tues., Dec. 5 ~ 9:00 Men of TBS at Wildflower organizational mtg. to plan TBS New Year's Day pancake brunch; 11:00 Mahjong; 1:00 Yarn Yentas; 1:00 TBS Choir Wed., Dec. 6 ~ 11:00 Minyan Service; 12:00 Lunch Bunch
Save the Dates!
Sat., Dec. 9 ~11:00 ~ Hanukkah Storytime with Rabbi Susan at Prescott Valley Library.
Sun., Dec. 10 ~ 1:00 ~ Jewish Artists & Art Collectors Who Made the Art World Modern with Tom Brodersen
Sun., Dec. 10 ~ 5:00 ~ Annual Menorah Lighting on the Prescott Town Square (Whiskey Row side). Sponsored by Chabad.
Sat., Dec. 24 ~ 2:00 ~ Brownlow Hike. See below.
Mon., Jan. 1 ~ 10:00 ~ Pancake Brunch Hosted by Men of TBS. Bring your board games and cards and let's celebrate the New Year! Details coming soon.
Sat., May 4 ~ TBS Shabbaton at Camp Stein. A full day of Shabbat activities and fun. Registration starts in January. TBS Board Meeting ~ ישיבת דירקטוריון The next regular Board Meeting is Wednesday, December 20 at 2pm at TBS. Board meetings are open to all members in good standing. If you would like to attend or speak at a board meeting, please contact President Deborah Plotkin by Monday, December 18.
Kabbalatke ~ Fri., Dec. 8 at 5:30 (Kabbalat Shabbat and Latke Potluck) Shabbat/Hanukkah Service followed by a delicious potluck. Bring your menorah and 3 candles (2nd night of Hanukkah)
We will be collecting checks and gift cards to Costco or fast food restaurants for The Coalition for Compassion and Justice
We are looking for volunteers to help set up tables and chairs on Thursday, December 7 at 3pm. Please email the office if you can help.
Please stay after our Kabbalatke Celebration to help clean up if you are able.
Adult Education ~ חינוך למבוגרים No charge for members
Women of TBS Present: Rugelach Baking Workshop At the home of Barbara Sussman Friday, Dec. 1 at 1:00pm
Open to 8 women RSVP to Barbara to sign up and for more details. Barbara's email is bsussmanr@gmail.com.
Beginning Hebrew Reading Thursdays from 5:00-5:45 6 classes: Nov. 30, Dec. 7, 14, 21, 28; Jan. 4 No fee but text required: Learn Hebrew Today: Alef-Bet for Adults Register with Rabbi Susan: rabbi@brithshalom-az.org
Mahjonng at TBS Interested in learning Mah Jongg, getting a refresher, practicing or playing? All levels welcome. Classes will be taught by Leslie Adler, Allee Steinberg and Shari Brooks, 11am to 1pm Tuesdays at TBS. Please email shari@jbrookswa.com to indicate interest and your level of experience.
Lunch Bunch Tanach Study with Carl Shulak at TBS Every Wednesday from 12-1:30pm Feel free to bring your own lunch. All are welcome to attend!
Sunday Films ~ 1:00pm Dec. 3 ~ Golda (Starring Helen Mirren) Jan. 7 ~ Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy
Women's Book Group ~ 11:00am Jan. 10 - One More River by Mary Glickman Mar. 13 - Judas by Amos Oz
TBS Winter Hikes ~ Sundays at 2:00pm
*Sun., Dec. 24 ~ Brownlow Trail. Directions from Willow Creek near Fry’s: Travel to Commerce Drive (in the direction of Embry-Riddle Riddle.) Go north on Commerce Drive (the only direction possible.) Travel .8 mile. The dirt parking lot is on the left. OR Directions from Pioneer Parkway: Travel south on Commerce Drive. Travel .6 mile. The dirt parking lot will be on your right. *Sun., Jan. 28 TBA
Congregational Support ~ עֶזרָה
Mitzvah Circle ~ מצווה Contact Suzi Abramson-Johnson at 602-570-9688 to participate or to request assistance.
Social Action ~ תיקון עולם
Drop off your compost material (no plastic bags) in a bucket by the front door at TBS by 11AM on Saturdays and it will be taken to the Prescott Farmer’s Market.
Aiden and Tanner Balk's Entries!
Religious School ~ בית ספר דתי Classes ~ Dec. 3 TheLegoMenorahChallenge
The Men of TBS Tuesday, December 5 at 9am ~ Come to an organizational meeting at Wildflower to discuss plans for the New Year's Day pancake brunch. All are invited to attend.
Member News ~ חדשות חברים
Kaddish ~ קדיש We are saying Kaddish for the following people at Shabbat this Friday, December 1. We are observing the Yahrzeits of loved ones who have passed from December 2-8. We also remember those who have left us in the last eleven months. These names have been taken from the member portion of our website. If you do not see your loved one's name (family members) and would like their name mentioned at services, please contact Jessica in the office.
Zigmond Moses, brother of Janet Rifkin Carrie Steinhauer, grandmother of Trudy Steinhauer Elana Goldberg, sister-in-law of Richard Jacobs and Blanche Berkowitz-Jacobs Stanley Blacker, dear friend of Trudy Steinhauer Jack Abramson, grandfather of Suzi Abramson-Johnson Murray Schutz, uncle of Michael Sperling Dave Contour, husband of Sally Contour Walter Areinoff, father of Abby Areinoff-Harbicht Mara Hollon, mother of Jessica Herst Judith McIntyre, wife of William McIntyre Howard Zeimer, friend of Michael Sperling Michael Friend, brother-in-law of Laurie Reiner James Miller, uncle of Arlene Brownie Abraham Buryachenko, father of Laura Men Elijah Escobedo, nephew of Karin Luedke Thelma Maurer, mother of Leslie Adler Eve Shulak, sister of Carl Shulak David Stockton, son-in-law of Arlene Brownie Dakota Hopp, relative of Arlene Brownie Juliet Jacobson, sister of Janet Rifkin Beth Susan Laxineta-Platt, aunt of Samantha Opperman
Purchasing a Yahrzeit plaque is a beautiful way to honor and remember our loved one's who have passed. To purchase a plaque, please fill out this form and return it to the temple office. We kindly ask for $360 per Yahrzeit plaque. Yahrzeit Plaque Order Form
Healing Thoughts ~ מי שבעירך Edie Greenberg, Pedro Venturo, Michael Schlossmann, Gloria Hershman, Richard Jacobs, Bob Longoria, Doris Cameron, Ted Symonds, Nancy Quitney, Brett Friend, Amy Snell Kingslinger, Mike Wolf, Rosario Maya, Fred Shulak, Brian Shrager, Estherly Allen, and Stephanie Byrd.
If you would like to add or remove your name or your family member's name from the healing list, please call or email the office at 928-708-0018 or office@brithshalom-az.org.
Donations ~ תרומות
Give Back to TBS! We are so grateful for your kindness and generous giving to Temple B'rith Shalom. Your contributions help Temple B'rith shalom to thrive and ensure a home for Jews in the Quad City area.
If you would like to make a donation now, click here. Did you know you could can give back to TBS at no additional cost to you simply by shopping at Frys? For more information, click here.
https://www.facebook.com/brithshalomaz
Follow us on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/schanermansusan/
Purchase a Leaf on our Temple Tree of Life. Mark a special occasion in a beautiful way.