Dear Friends,
Chanukah always dovetails with the story of Joseph in the Book of Genesis, as it does this week. Both are stories of triumph, religious freedom, overcoming threats and seeing God’s magnificent hand in human affairs.
But more: we read this week of Joseph receiving his “coat of many colors.” (Genesis 37:3) Imagine the wonderful, striped jacket given him by his doting father, Jacob, with its lines of red and blue and purple and green. It somewhat reminds me of… the stripes of color of the candles propped upon the Chanukiyah, ready to glow their festive lights.
Yes, there are many colors in the Chanukah experience, especially this year when we celebrate Chanukah during the COVID-19 pandemic. As we do Chanukah 2020/5781, we’ll do it in unique ways…
Thus, on this first night of Chanukah, let’s review the many, many colors of Chanukah this year:
So, this year, Chanukah is a coat of many colors, indeed! Even with the pandemic, we are not limited!
In fact, like Joseph, we are unlimited, and even creating the Ninth Night of Chanukah to transcend the usual last night.
Tonight, put your colorful candles on your menorah. Show your colorful stripes, and then, for the next week, join the Many Colors of Chanukah!
Shabbat Shalom and Happy Chanukah,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
Chanukah always dovetails with the story of Joseph in the Book of Genesis, as it does this week. Both are stories of triumph, religious freedom, overcoming threats and seeing God’s magnificent hand in human affairs.
But more: we read this week of Joseph receiving his “coat of many colors.” (Genesis 37:3) Imagine the wonderful, striped jacket given him by his doting father, Jacob, with its lines of red and blue and purple and green. It somewhat reminds me of… the stripes of color of the candles propped upon the Chanukiyah, ready to glow their festive lights.
Yes, there are many colors in the Chanukah experience, especially this year when we celebrate Chanukah during the COVID-19 pandemic. As we do Chanukah 2020/5781, we’ll do it in unique ways…
Thus, on this first night of Chanukah, let’s review the many, many colors of Chanukah this year:
- First Night: Tonight through December 17, on the lawn of our Kol campus, the Menorah will be lit nightly at 6:00 pm (except Friday, at 4:00), and donuts will be shared outside!
- Second Night: Friday, December 11 at 7:30 pm, we’ll sing our way through the Shabbat of Chanukah with George Levy and Jim Blanton – light your candles on Zoom with your TBJ family!
- Fifth Night: Monday, December 14, at 5:00 pm, we’ll have a Drive-By Chanukah-lighting at the Menorah at Chadwick Lake. Come, sing and honk as you drive by, and show your support and have fun!
- Seventh Night: Thursday, December 16, at 5:00 pm the entire Orange County Jewish community
- Ninth Night: Friday, December 18, at 7:00 pm, we will celebrate the 9 th Night of Chanukah at TBJ with our Religious School students and Cantor Vicki Axe singing, all on Zoom! Find 10 more candles!
So, this year, Chanukah is a coat of many colors, indeed! Even with the pandemic, we are not limited!
In fact, like Joseph, we are unlimited, and even creating the Ninth Night of Chanukah to transcend the usual last night.
Tonight, put your colorful candles on your menorah. Show your colorful stripes, and then, for the next week, join the Many Colors of Chanukah!
Shabbat Shalom and Happy Chanukah,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
