For the past several weeks, Temple Israel member Steve Saulten has been working on a special wood-working project.  In recent years, as a hobby, Steve has been creating decorative boxes, clocks, and other small objects out of wood.  Some of these items have been exhibited in local crafts fairs in New Hampshire.

Having seen Steve's work, Rabbi Edward Friedman, the Temple's spiritual leader, suggested that it might be nice if Steve could come up with a design for a large wooden outdoor menorah to help celebrate the holiday of Chanukah.  Steve graciously agreed and came up with a plan which has now been completed.  The new menorah will be set up in front of Temple Israel at 66 Salmon Street in Manchester this afternoon and lit for the first time at 4:30 p.m. with a number of Temple members in attendance.  We welcome anyone else in the community who might care to join us at that time.

Part of the Chanukah holiday involves "pirsumei nisa" publicizing God's miracles in the world.  Thus traditionally the small household menorahs (candleholders) were placed in the window or doorway where people passing by might see their flickering lights and remember the miracles of Chanukah.  In Israel, electrified versions of the Chanukah menorah or Chanukiah, are placed atop many public buildings all across the country.  In recent years, many of the synagogues and temples, Hillel houses and Jewish community centers in this country have emulated this Israeli practice and made public displays of the Chanukah lights on their grounds.

Each night of Chanukah an additional light is added to the menorah until eight lights are burning on the final night of the holiday.  In this way, the rabbinic teachers of Judaism hoped to emphasize the idea of increasing the light of the world throughout the holiday at this season of darkness.  Light, of course, symbolizes holiness, knowledge, commitment, and purity among other things.  The Torah is compared to light and a commandment to a candle.  The Bible says that our souls are God's candles.  "One must constantly work to add to holiness and not diminish it," states the Talmud, the major source of rabbinic teaching.

Chanukah begins tonight, December 4th, at sundown and continues throughout the week ending next Wednesday night, December 12th.

The Temple is planning a special holiday observance on Sunday morning, December 9th, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to which the entire community is invited at no charge.  There will be holiday arts and crafts and games for children at 10:30 until noon.  At noon will be the annual Braverman fund Chanukah lunch including the traditional potato latkes (pancakes) with sour cream and/or applesauce.  A sing-along of favorite Chanukah songs will follow and then at 1:00 p.m. Boston storyteller Cindy Rivka Marshall will perform a special Chanukah program.  All are welcome, but we urge people to RSVP to the Temple office at 622-6171 so that adequate food may be prepared.