Chanukah celebrates the first recorded national liberation struggle–when the people of Judea rallied around a guerrilla war against the remnants of Alexander the Great’s empire, and the subsequent attempt by the Syrian (Seleucid) branch of that empire to impose Hellenistic culture and wipe out Judaism. The victory in 165 BCE is celebrated by lighting candles each night for eight nights, dancing, singing, playing with spinning dreidels, and in sine capitalist cultures the exchange of gifts.
If you happen to be in the San Francisco Bay Area on the third night of Chanukah, Friday November 29th, come celebrate with Rabbi Michael Lerner and Beyt Tikkun Synagogue-without-walls, the Tikkun community and the Network of Spiritual Progressives.
It’s a veggie pot-luck and we will serve latkes (potato pancakes and apple sauce) to supplement whatever delicious main course veggie dish you bring (not bread or crackers and cheese please–something substantive).
Schedule:
5:30 p.m. Help us decorate
6:00 p.m. Rabbi Lerner tells the Chanukah story (early enough to bring your children–and since this is the day after Thanksgiving and most people don’t work that Friday, plan to get there no later than 5:45 so you have time to find parking).
6:20 p.m. Candle Lighting of Chanukah Menora (eight candle holder)–bring your own, or use ours (we have plenty).
6:30 p.m. Dancing and singing with Achi Ben Shalom’s music.
7:00-7:30 p.m. Veggie pot-luck dinner.
7:30-9:00 p.m. (optional)–Stay with us as we do the welcoming of the Sabbath and celebrating with awe and wonder the grandeur and mystery of the universe (led by Rabbi Michael Lerner with Achi Ben Shalom)
LOCATION: Unitarian Fellowship hall, South West corner of Cedar and Bonita Aves. in Berkeley, CA.
ADMISSION: $10 DONATION REQUESTED to help offset the cost of rental, advertising and the latkes