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December 2, 2022 (8 Kislev 5783) In the Mindset of Hanukkah Dear Holy Friends, I hope this correspondence finds you well and in good health, as well as staying warm. Please join us this Saturday morning for Shabbat services at 10:30am. These services will also be available through our regular Zoom prayer link. Afterwards, please join us in the social hall downstairs for a Kiddush lunch and the opportunity to kibbitz with friends and community. One of the longest running sitcoms, which I grew up with, is no doubt familiar to you as well! Seinfeld was an American sitcom television series created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld. It aired on NBC from July 5, 1989, to May 14, 1998, over nine seasons and 180 episodes. The show starred Seinfeld as a fictionalized version of himself and the main titular protagonist. The episodes focused on his personal life with a handful of friends and acquaintances. It was often described as being "a show about nothing." As a Jew, I took a naches in knowing that not only were the co-creators of the show Jewish (Seinfeld and David), but so were many of the main characters including Jason Alexander (George Costanza) and Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Elaine Benes). [Dreyfus’ father is Jewish and she can possibly trace her family history back to the famous Alfred Dreyfus.] One of the funniest episodes, which I often recall at this time of year, introduces, in place of Hanukkah or Christmas, the holiday of Festivus. Festivus is a Costanza family-created holiday gathering that includes the following customs: the airing of grievances during the holiday meal; those who speak begin with the statement, “I have a lot of problems with you people…”; feats of strength performed after the collation; and the recognition of Festivus miracles, which were not really miracles. Ironically, as a diatribe against the commercialism often associated with American Winter holidays, Festivus became popular for several years. During the 1990s, one could buy a Festivus Kippah and more recently, Martin Bodek published The Festivus Haggadah. It is funny how things catch on! While it is true that sometimes Hannukah holiday gatherings do result in the airing of grievances (should we have the latkes with sour cream or apple sauce) and contests involving feats of strength (manifested rather as heated debates pertaining to political and social issues), more importantly, the recognition of miracles remains the meta-narrative of this holiday season. Here are a few seasonal rhyming miracles for us to consider as we prepare for Hannukah 2022, which begins on the evening of December 18th:
So, in conclusion, whether you are observing Festivus in addition to Hannukah (hey, it’s America, so it’s your choice!), may you be blessed to acknowledge the miracles of your family, the joys of your loved ones, the opportunities that abound, and the peace that is ultimately in our hands. Please join us on Sunday December 18th for our communal candle-lighting, which will take place in the center of town. Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Eric Wasser, EdD, Hon.DM
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