Un nuevo año fiscal ha comenzado, y con él nuevos retos. Luego de año y medio desde el cierre del Templo Beth Shalom a causa del Covid 19, tengo el honor de anunciarles los planes de reapertura de nuestra hermosa Sinagoga. La misma abrirá el fin de semana del 20 y 21 de agosto. Con esta reapertura viene una gran responsabilidad de proteger a toda la comunidad, en especial con la propagación de la variante Delta, y como Presidente debo asegurarme de que se sigan los más estrictos protocolos. A continuación, les enumero cuales serán las reglas para el acceso a los servicios presenciales:
Vacunación requerida.
Por recomendaciones de la CCAR (Central Conference of American Rabbis) y nuestros rabinos de turno el rabino Norman Patz y el rabino Roberto Graetz, solamente estaremos recibiendo personas que estén completamente vacunadas. Esto significa personas de 12 años en adelante, que tengan 2 semanas desde la segunda dosis de las vacunas contra el Covid19, o 2 semanas luego de recibir la vacuna única de Johnson & Johnson. Personas que no estén vacunadas y menores de 12 años podrán seguir el servicio de forma virtual.
Servicios Virtuales Simultáneos
Se transmitirán los servicios virtuales simultáneos durante cada Shabat y Yamim Noraim (High Holy Days).
Uso de mascarilla
Será requerido el uso de mascarilla (sin válvula) por encima de la nariz y la boca a toda persona que se encuentre en las facilidades del Templo. Por ningún motivo se debe detener el uso de esta dentro de nuestras facilidades.
Alimentos dentro del Templo o Social Hall
En inicio queda prohibido el consumo de cualquier alimento o bebida dentro de las inmediaciones del Templo. Las personas que necesiten consumir algún alimento o bebida deberán salir para consumirlo. Solo estará permitido el consumo de vino para el Rabino y Asistente Cantorial para el Kidush y a su discreción. El resto de la comunidad no realizará consumo de motzi o vino en las inmediaciones.
Distanciamiento social y capacidad limitada
Estaremos estableciendo unas listas para asistir a los servicios presenciales durante los servicios de Shabat y Fiestas Mayores. Mantendremos un protocolo de distanciamiento Social interno para evitar aglomeramiento. Es importante que para asistir reserven sus espacios en las listas una vez provistas.
Solamente Miembros y Visitantes Asociados con cuota al día
De igual manera que estaremos limitando la asistencia a los servicios presenciales mediante reservación previa, solamente miembros y visitantes asociados que tengan la cuota al día serán elegibles para reservar su lugar en las listas.
Conclusiones
Es de mi interés y el de toda la Junta de Directores del Templo poder flexibilizar estas medidas progresivamente, pero dependerá de cómo nos comportemos como comunidad y cuándo alcancemos la inmunidad de rebaño como país. Estas medidas serán actualizadas según estos desarrollos.
As of July 1, 2019, I was entrusted with the Presidency of Temple Beth Shalom. Since that day my efforts have been focused on keeping our community together and bringing new changes. It was not an easy start, as we had many challenges to overcome. However, today I can say that we have succeeded. Our community remains united and stronger than ever. Our finances are solid; the support of our rabbis along with the entire Spiritual Coverage Committee has kept our services constant and vibrant. But none of this would have been possible without the efforts of the Beth Shalom Board of Directors.
I must first thank Marc Schnitzer and Emily Krasinski for their support from day one and the orderly transfer of the Presidency from Emily to me. Their advice, support, and willingness to serve is invaluable. Second, I must acknowledge the work of Aurea Gonzalez, my vice president, without whom we could not run most of the activities, services, and events that the Temple carries out. I must thank Emmanuel Rodriguez whose passion for finances and the Temple have kept us economically afloat. To Ingrid Merced, who, with her nobility and love for others, has inspired everyone on the Board, helping us greatly. I must also acknowledge Jody Valdés for her countless efforts to maintain our rabbinic and cantorial coverage and spiritual resources. Without her efforts we would not have Rabbis. Last but not least, I must acknowledge the work of our trustees; Shula, David, Debbie, & Roxanna whose advice, donations, and grants sustain this community.
I hereby summarize some of our most memorable achievements during these two years.
Trip to St. Thomas-July 2019. Although organized by our former president Emily Krasinski during her term, we made the trip to St. Thomas at the beginning of my presidency. I wish to thank the members who accompanied us on the trip in July 2019 to the St. Thomas Synagogue. There we were able to enjoy a historical account of the founding of one of the oldest synagogues in the Caribbean; we visited the Jewish cemeteries, saw the Judaica and the Synagogue, whose floors are covered in sand. Rabbi Michael Feshbach was a wonderful host and welcomed us with great warmth and hospitality. The love and welcome from the members of this community made us feel what it is like to be part of a larger Jewish community.
The Painting of the Synagogue-August 2019. In August 2019, men and women from the Temple joined to clean and paint our building. On one Sunday we managed to touch up the interior and exterior paint of our Synagogue. This helped us get our beautiful facilities ready for the High Holidays of that year.
Trip to the URJ Biennial Convention-December 2019. Emily Krasinski and I had the privilege of representing Temple Beth Shalom at the Biennnial Convention of the Union for Reform Judaism in Chicago. It was an experience that brought us many benefits and contacts for the Temple. We were able to see how we are not alone in many issues that concern us as a synagogue. We discovered the number of small synagogues just like ours that maintain similar memberships and still survive well. And above all, we enjoyed the training and seminars that have served us to continue improving the administration of the Temple. Among these, the implementation of ShulCloud has been a success for our memberships.
Inauguration of the Solar Panels and Hannuka Party. In December 2019 we were finally able to inaugurate our solar panel system with an unprecedented event. Over 100 people gathered for a night we would recall the miracles of the Festival of Lights, Hannuka, plus the miracle of having been able to receive post-Hurricane Maria grants with which to install our solar panels and Tesla Batteries system.
Campaign to Help the Victims of Earthquakes in Southern Puerto Rico-January 2020. At dawn on January 7, 2020, we were all awakened by a strong tremor that would change the lives of our brothers and sisters in the South. We immediately created a fundraising campaign to help dozens of families in the affected areas, through our Social Action Committee. This campaign helped us raise over $ 15k dollars that today are used to continue collaborating with social causes such as the earthquakes. But we do not limit ourselves to that. We have also been able to support members in times of need, help pay for medical expenses, bring food to the needy and much more. I have to thank Debra Reuben for leading this committee and other very active members such as Wilda, Rebecca, Aurea, Emily, Niorly, Shula, Luis, and David.
The Memorial Service for Jimmy Klau-February 2020. A memorable event that I wish to recall is the memorial service for our beloved founder Jimmy Klau. Jimmy always had a special ability to bring people together. His leadership was exemplary and this was stressed on the day we remembered his life that February of 2020. I still remember the beautiful words of Rabbi Patz under the title “Thinking About Jimmy Klau’s Life and Death” where he highlighted Jimmy’s tireless work for his family and Temple Beth Shalom. Thank you Jimmy and the Klau family for so much.
Presentation of the Film “The Last Cyclist”-February 2020. I must first of all acknowledge the work of all those who made the presentation of “The Last Cyclist” possible. We managed to do a quality event, where we gathered almost a hundred guests from the three synagogues.
Pre-Pandemic Purim-March 2020. One of the events that I remember most fondly was our last party together—the last party we hugged—the last party where we could be together under the same roof.
Pesach and the Covid-19 Lockdown-April 2020. We gave ourselves the goal, during the Pandemic Lockdown, to take our members their Pesach foods, and we succeeded. We went out house-by-house and distributed the matzah. I thank Emmanuel and María for collaborating on this mitzvah.
Latin American Virtual Services-May 2020. After realizing that it would not be possible to reopen the Temple for a while, we began virtual services with our rabbis, Norman Patz and Roberto Graetz, and then with the rabbis-in-training Edy in Argentina, Pablo in Brazil, and Martín in Chile. We were also joined by the beautiful Adat Israel community in Guatemala. To this day these services have brought us much joy and spiritual comfort.
High Holy Days During the Pandemic-Sept/Oct 2020. It is not only complicated to keep the community together at a distance, but also to have High Holy Days services virtually. I remember how, on the night of Rosh Hashana, ShulCloud failed and we couldn’t access the service. But not just for us. It failed for thousands of synagogues throughout the United States. We were living a historic moment: for the first time hundreds of thousands of Jews were connecting virtually at the same time for Rosh Hashana from their homes. And this brought down the ShulCloud servers. Thank goodness we were able to manually reconnect and celebrate the New Year together.
Installation of the Social Hall Dividing Doors-November 2020.Three years after Hurricane Maria, we were finally able to put into use the funds that the Temple insurance gave us due to the flood we experienced. We invested them in new dividing doors. But not just any doors, doors that will last a lifetime, a hotel-style system that is easy to repair with materials of the highest quality for our children to enjoy.
The Last Completely Virtual Services of 2021. ‘Hope’ is what I will call this stage. We are looking forward to meeting again in person at the Temple, where we will remember the pandemic as something that happened, and where we can pray together again.
Desde el 1 de Julio de 2019 me fué encomendada la Presidencia del Templo Beth Shalom. Desde ese día mis esfuerzos han estado enfocados en mantener a nuestra comunidad unida y traer nuevos cambios. No fue un inicio fácil, tuvimos muchos retos que sobrepasar. Sin embargo, hoy puedo decir que lo logramos. Nuestra comunidad sigue unida y más fuerte que nunca. Nuestras finanzas están sólidas, el apoyo de nuestros rabinos junto todo el comité de Spiritual Coverage mantienen nuestros servicios constantes y vibrantes. Pero nada de esto sería posible sin los esfuerzos de la Junta de Directores del Templo Beth Shalom.
Debo primeramente agradecer a Marc & Emily por su apoyo desde el día uno y la transferencia ordenada de la Presidencia por parte de Emily a mí. Sus consejos, apoyo, y voluntad de servir es invaluable. Segundo debo reconocer la labor de Aurea Gonzalez mi vicepresidenta, sin quien no correría la mayoría de las actividades, servicios, y eventos que el Templo lleva a cabo. Debo agradecer a Emmanuel Rodriguez cuya pasión por las finanzas y el Templo han mantenido a flote nuestra realidad económica. A Ingrid Merced cuya nobleza y amor por los demás han inspirado a todos en la Junta sirviéndonos con gran ayuda. Debo también reconocer a Jody Valdés por sus innumerables esfuerzos por mantener nuestra cobertura de Rabinos, Cantores, y recursos espirituales. Sin esto no tendríamos Rabinos. También, pero sin menos importancia, debo reconocer la labor de mis vocales; Shula, David, Debbie, & Roxanna cuyos consejos, donativos, y ayudas sostienen esta comunidad.
A continuación resumo alguno de nuestros logros más memorables durante estos dos años.
Viaje a St. Thomas Julio 2019. Aunque organizado por nuestra expresidenta Emily Krasinski para su periodo, realizamos el viaje a St. Thomas a comienzos de mi presidencia, debo agradecer a los miembros que en el mes de Julio 2019 nos acompañaron al viaje a la Sinagoga de St. Thomas. Allí pudimos disfrutar de un recuento histórico de la fundación de una de las Sinagogas mas antiguas del Caribe, visitamos los cementerios judíos, la judaica, y Sinagoga cuyos pisos son en arena. El Rabino Fetchbach fue un gran anfitrión y nos recibió con gran cariño y hospitalidad. El cariño y recibimiento de por parte de los miembros de esta comunidad nos hizo sentir lo que es ser parte de una comunidad judía mas grande.
Pintura Sinagoga Agosto 2019. En Agosto 2019 nos unimos hombres y mujeres del Templo para limpiar y pintar nuestro edificio. Logramos en un domingo retocar la pintura interior y exterior de nuestra Sinagoga. Esto nos ayudó a poner nuestras facilidades hermosas para el recibimiento de Las Fiestas Mayores de ese año.
Viaje a Convención Bi-Anual de la URJ Diciembre 2019. Emily Krasinski & este servidor tuvimos el privilegio de participar en representación del Templo Beth Shalom de la convención bianual de la Unión de Judaísmo Reformista en Chicago. Fue una experiencia que nos trajo muchos beneficios y contactos para el Templo. Pudimos ver como no estamos solos en muchos issues que nos conciernen como Sinagoga. Descubrimos la cantidad de Sinagogas pequeñas igual que las nuestras que mantienen membresías similares y aun así subsisten bien. Y Sobre todo disfrutamos de entrenamientos y seminarios que nos han servido hoy para continuar mejorando la administración del Templo. Entre estos la implementación de Shul Cloud, que ha sido todo un éxito para nuestras membresías.
Inauguración de las Placas Solares & Fiesta de Hannuka. En diciembre 2019 pudimos finalmente inaugurar nuestro sistema de placas solares en un evento sin precedente. Sobre 100 personas se dieron cita a lo que seria una noche donde recordaríamos los milagros de la fiesta de las luces, Hannuka, y el milagro de haber podido recibir los donativos pos-Maria para instalar nuestro sistema de Placas Solares y Baterías Tesla.
Campaña de Ayuda a Damnificados en Terremotos del Sur Enero 2020. La Madrugada del 7 de enero del 2020 nos levantamos todos con un fuerte movimiento de tierra que le cambiaria la vida a nuestros hermanos del Sur. De inmediato, no dudamos en crear una campaña para recaudar fondos que nos han servido para ayudar a decenas de familias en esos Pueblos y a otros afectados a través de nuestro comité de Acción Social. Esta campaña nos ayudó a recaudar sobre $15k dólares que hoy son utilizados para seguir colaborando con causas sociales como la de los terremotos. Pero no nos limitamos a eso. También hemos podido mantener a miembros en momentos de necesidad, ayudar a costear gastos médicos, llevar comida a necesitados entre mucho más. Debo agradecer a Debrah Reuben por liderar este comité y a otros miembros muy activos como; Wilda, Rebecca, Aurea, Emily, Niorly, Shula, Luis, y David.
Servicio en memoria de Jimmy Febrero 2020. Un evento memorable y que debo recordar, fue el servicio en memoria de nuestro amado Fundador Jimmy Klau. Jimmy siempre tuvo una capacidad peculiar de unir a la gente. Su liderazgo fue ejemplar y esto no faltó aun el día en que recordamos su vida aquel Febrero del 2020. Aun recuerdo las hermosas palabras del Rabino Patz bajo el titulo “Thinking About Jimmy Klau’s LIfe & Death” donde resaltaba la labor incansable de Jimmy por su familia y el Templo Beth Shalom. Gracias Jimmy y a la familia Klau por tanto.
Last Cyclist Theater Presentation Febrero 2020. Debo primero que nada reconocer la labor de todos los que hicieron posible la obra de Last Ciclyst. Logramos hacer un evento de calidad, donde reunimos a casi un centenar de invitados de las tres sinagogas.
Pre-Pandemic Purim March 2020. Uno de los Eventos que mas recuerdo con cariño fue nuestra última fiesta juntos. La última fiesta en que nos abrazamos. La última fiesta en que pudimos estar juntos bajo el mismo techo.
Pesach & Covid-19 Lockdown April 2020. Nos propusimos durante el Lockdown de la pandemia llevarle a nuestros miembros sus alimentos de Pesach y lo logramos. Casa por casa fuimos y repartimos la Matza. Agradezco a Emmanuel & María por colaborar en esta Mitzva.
Servicios Virtuales Latinoamericanos Mayo 2020. Luego de saber que no sería posible reabrir el Templo en un tiempo, comenzamos los servicios Latinoamericanos con los Rabinos y luego con Edy, Pablo, Martín. También se nos unió la hermosa comunidad de Adat Israel en Guatemala. Servicios que hasta el día de hoy nos han brindado tanta alegría y confort espiritual.
High Holy Days Durante la Pandemia Sep-Oct. 2020. No solo es complejo mantener a la comunidad unida a distancia sino lograr tener servicios de Altas Fiestas de forma virtual. Recuerdo como en la noche de Rosh Hashana de nos cayó ShulCloud y no podíamos accesar. Pero no solo a nosotros. Sino a miles de sinagogas en los Estados Unidos. Vivíamos un momento histórico, por primera vez cientos de miles de judíos nos conectábamos de forma virtual a la vez para Rosh Hashana desde nuestros hogares. Y esto derribó los servidores de ShulCloud. Gracias a Dios pudimos reconectarnos manualmente y celebrar juntos el año nuevo.
Instalación de Puertas Divisorias Social Hall Noviembre 2020. Luego de 3 años después del huracán maría pudimos por fin poner en uso los fondos que nos dio el seguro del Templo luego de aquella inundación que tuvimos. Y los invertimos en nuevas puertas divisorias. Pero no cualquier puerta, puertas que duraran para toda la vida. Un sistema de puertas estilo Hotel que son de fácil reparación y materiales de la mejor calidad. Para que nuestros hijos disfruten de ellas.
Últimos Servicios 100% Virtuales de 2021. “Esperanza”, eso es lo que puedo llamar a estar etapa. Miramos a un futuro cercano en donde podremos volver a vernos físicamente. En donde recordaremos la Pandemia con algo que pasó. En donde podremos rezar juntos nuevamente en nuestro Templo.
Templo Beth Shalom, Congregación Judía Reformista de Puerto Rico, registra su firme apoyo por el Proyecto de Ley 184 del Senado de Puerto Rico para hacer ilegal la práctica de las llamadas “terapias de conversión”. Nuestra posición refleja:
1) el hecho de que nuestra tradición sostiene que cada ser humano está hecho “b’tzelem Elokim“, en la imagen divina. Como tal, la diversidad de orientaciones sexuales e identidades de género es algo que debe celebrarse y afirmarse, no una condición que deba tratarse1, y
2) el hecho de que durante casi 50 años, las comunidades profesionales de la psicología y la psiquiatría han reconocido oficialmente que la homosexualidad no es un trastorno mental. Los jóvenes LGBTTQ + están particularmente en riesgo de sufrir daños por las llamadas “terapias de conversión”, que incluyen daño a la autoestima y un elevado riesgo de suicidio.2,3 Para nosotros, como judíos, el valor de “p’kuach nefesh“, salvar una vida, lo supera todo.
Temple Beth Shalom, Reform Jewish Congregation of Puerto Rico, registers its firm support of Puerto Rico Senate Bill 184 which would make illegal the practice of so-called “conversion therapies.” Our position reflects:
1) the fact that our tradition holds that each human is made “b’tzelem Elohim”, in the divine image. As such, the diversity of sexual orientations and gender identities is something to be celebrated and affirmed, not a condition to be treated1, and
2) the fact that for nearly 50 years, the psychological and psychiatric professional communities have officially recognized that homosexuality is not a mental disorder. LGBTTQ+ youth are particularly at risk of harm by so-called “conversion therapies” including damage to self-esteem and elevated suicidal risk.2,3 As Jews, the value of “p’kuach nefesh”, saving a life, supersedes all.
If you are already an Amazon shopper, you can now support Temple Beth Shalom by selecting us as your charity on Amazon Smile! Just use this link and shop as you normally would. Amazon will then make a donation to TBS. If you always shop through smile.amazon.com, the donations can really add up!
Another name for Hanukkah is JAG URIM, the festival of lights. In the darkest season of the year, virtually every religious tradition includes symbols and ceremonies to offset fears and counter the unnerving absence of light. Obviously, this has been a much less significant feature of the season since the advent of electricity. Yet this year, the gloom and fear associated with the Covid-19 pandemic bring us back again to an atavistic sense of insecurity.
So, being cautious, wearing masks and keeping our distance, let us
CELEBRATE LIGHT!
The following are photographs of the menorot (aka hanukkiyot) and associated objects for the festival of HANUKKAH now on display in the museum case of Temple Sholom of West Essex, Rabbi Patz’s congregation in New Jersey, which Naomi curates.
The opening picture is an overview of the entire case. Each element (more or less) will follow.
Here goes:
OIL LAMPS
The story of the little cruse of oil, just enough for a single night, which last “miraculously” for eight nights, is the traditional reason given for the celebration of Hanukkah.
The real story is much more complex and involves the political realities that followed the victory of the Maccabees. It’s a fascinating story you should check out, if you don’t know it already. Apart from everything else, it demonstrates powerfully why this is an observance for adults, not just a fairytale with presents for the kids.
ANCIENT:
Oil lamps are what people used for light. The first slide shows five oil lamps (and a photograph of four others) from ancient Israel. All but one are replicas.
MEDIEVAL:
Although candles were first invented some 500 years before the Common Era, as late as the Middle Ages candles were mostly reserved for church ceremonies because they were very expensive. Only the wealthy could afford to burn them in their homes. Almost everyone used oil for lighting; the size, style and efficiency of the lamps determined the amount of light they cast. For most of the history of the observance of Hanukkah, our people used oil to mark the nights of the holiday.
The beautifully designed hanukkiyot in the next two slides (different views of the same objects, some reflected in the mirrored glass back of the case) are replicas of bronze menorot from medieval France and Italy. Their styles are reminiscent of Gothic and Muslim architecture. See the rose window in the triangular menorah in the lower left and the arches on the two replicas behind it.
The little cups at the front were filled with oil, and a small wick then laid on top to be lit from the pointed tip.
MODERN:
There are an incredible number of modern hanukkiyot, ranging from elegant and evocative to whimsical and totally kitschy.
Here is a small sample of the range:
A wooden menorah, painted on both sides with scenes from the story of Noah, the flood and the ark, by the contemporary Israeli artist, Yair Emanuel, a gift from our dear friends Sue and Jimmy Klau (z”l). As we discovered to our horror with the first version of this hanukkiyah we lit, the candles cannot be allowed to burn down by themselves. We have replaced it. Enough said.
Herons on a branch: Contemporary hanukkiyah by Israeli artist Shraga Landesman, brushed metal.
This hanukkiyah is a replica of 18th century Dutch menorah featuring hearts and flowering vines, traditional motifs of Dutch Jewish art. Holders for wax candles have been placed into the traditional oil cups (which, on close observation, you will see are just for show).It is amazing how bright the illumination when all of the candles are lit!
This hanukkiyah is Waterford Marquis crystal, the name unfortunately visible on the bottom of each of its nine pieces – one for each night’s candle and the tallest for the shamash, the “helper candle” that is used to light them all. It is designed to be displayed in a triangular shape, as here, or even random, so long as the shamash retains its function.
Please note that in traditional hanukkiyot, all eight candles or oil cups are always at the same height although the height of the shamash may differ. Note too that the candles are placed in the menorah from right (on the first night) to left (when all eight are burning) and lit starting with the newest light (in other words, from left to right).
This heavy glass modern hanukkiyah displays the eight candles at roughly the traditional level with the shamash set to the side. It is an oddly evocative piece designed to look like a block of water in motion.
Called the Wave Menorah by its creators, Joel and Candace Bless, it is made in a unique method the artists have dubbed “drip casting” to describe the hand cast hot glass in this menorah.
DREIDLS!
Dreidl (or dreidel) is the Yiddish name for the spinning “tops” designed hundreds of years ago in Yiddish-speaking communities in Europe to entertain children (and adults) during the eight nights of Hanukkah. The Hebrew word for dreidl is sevivon.
Gambling traditions associated with dreidls use hanukkah gelt (the coins that were the original gifts given on the festival) or walnuts as the “pot.” Every dreidl has a Hebrew letter on each surface: nun – standing for the word nes, miracle; gimel, for gadol, great; hey, for the word hayah, happened, or was; shin, for sham – there: A Great Miracle Happened There. (In modern Israel, the shin is replaced with the letter pey – for po = here.) Monetary (or walnut) values are assigned to each letter. Every player spins in turn. If the dreidl lands on nun, you get nothing (nichts). Gimel = ganz, winner take all! Hey gives the spinner halb, half of the pot, and poor you, if your dreidl stops on shin because it means you have to schenk your holdings into the pot.
The dreidls here are a wide variety ranging from a Waterford crystal to enameled tops to the Yaakov Greenvurcel six-sided metal in the lower right of the picture – and on to the wind-up little dreidl man behind it.
And now, another hanukkiyah.
This is a modern Israel ceramic piece depicting the stylized side of a Moorish building with an archway, peaked roof and lavish floral motifs. Although it can theoretically be lit with wicks in oil (we’ve tried), it works best – and looks terrific – with (ideally color-coordinated) candles creating a third dimension for the design.
Be sure to note the bird on the branch.
The artist is Shulamit.
Next is a modern interpretation of the medieval European bronze menorot, rather different examples of which are in the first photographs above (and are displayed in the bottom left of the lowest shelf of the museum case). This menorah is definitely designed for wicks in oil.
The final three (top shelf) are contemporary plates for latkes (potato pancakes) or sufganiot (jelly doughnuts) or other “delicacies” of the festival, all of which rely on copious amounts of cooking oil in acknowledgement and celebration of Hanukkah.
The nursery school plate below was made many years ago when our New Jersey congregation had a gan yeladim, a 5-day a week nursery school. We recognize a menorah in the center, dreidls on either side, perhaps a match in turquoise (?), two Jewish stars (one much more recognizable than the other), and an unidentifiable purple object at the bottom. The artist (our younger daughter, Aviva) has no idea what that was meant to be.
The last plate, in the shape of a dreidl, shows the letter shin and part of the letter nun. Provenance: Probably made in China, it was purchased it at Marshalls.
The Talmud instructs us to “publicize the miracle” by displaying the Hanukkah lights in a window where it can be seen by passersby. Electric menorot enable moderns to observe this command safely – and to leave the lights burning, adding a new one each night, for the full week+ of Hanukkah.
