COMMUNITY HANUKKAH CONCERT PLANNED — The community is invited to a Hanukkah concert on Saturday night, Dec. 12, at The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah. The concert features Rabbi Esteban Gottfried and Beit Tefilah Israeli.
The evening begins at 7 p.m. with Havdalah, followed by what Rabbi Arthur Nemitoff characterizes as an “inspiring concert,’ on the last night of Hanukkah.
Beit Tefilah Israeli (BTI) is a young and fast-growing, liberal, independent, and inclusive community in urban Tel Aviv that is committed to Jewish spirit, culture, social action and striving to redefine the Jewish-Israeli identity of the secular Israeli public. {mprestriction ids="1,3"}Their signature program is the summer Kabbalat Shabbat services held at the Tel Aviv Port along the seafront, from June through August.
“Hundreds of people come to sing, pray and share in a meaningful evening service, welcoming the Shabbat in an innovative, creative and culturally Israeli way,” Rabbi Nemitoff said. This service was the inspiration for B’nai Jehudah’s popular Shabbat in the Park series held in June, July and August in Gezer Park every summer.
The concert is free and sponsored by Congregation Beth Israel Abraham and Voliner, Congregation Beth Shalom, Congregation Beth Torah, Congregation Ohev Sholom, Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy, Jewish Family Services, Jewish Federation, Kehilath Israel Synagogue and Lawrence Jewish Community Congregation.
VOTE FOR NINA — Nina Kulikov, who was a Hanukkah art contest winner a few years ago, is a finalists for the Learning Quest 529 contest. As part of the 2015 Make Your Mark Contest, 7th- and 8th-grade students in Kansas were asked to “Fast-forward 20 years” and give a commencement speech to the class of 2035 at your former high school. They were asked to explain how they would be introduced and what they would speak about.”
Learning Quest is asking folks to vote for their favorite finalists. One People’s Choice winner from each category (creative and essay) will earn $1,000 in a Learning Quest 529 account, as well as $1,000 for their schools. Nina is one of five finalists in the creative category. Votes can be made once every 24 hours per valid email address until Dec. 11, 2015. Winners will be announced in January. To vote visit http://vote.learningquest.com/
HANUKKAH AT THE KANSAS STATE CAPITOL — Once again the Chabad rabbis in Kansas are organizing a Hanukkah celebration in Topeka at the Kansas State Capitol building. It will take place at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 9. The address is 300 SW 10th Street in Topeka, Kansas. Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback is expected to attend as well as other state dignitaries. Those in attendance will be treated to a reception following the program, which will include a candle-lighting ceremony, featuring Hanukkah delicacies including latkes. Transportation from Overland Park to Topeka will be available. Reservations are requested by emailing . For more information contact Rabbi Zalman Tiechtel at or Rabbi Mendy Wineberg at .
SAMMY SPIDER BRINGS HANUKKAH JOY — My kids were little when Sammy Spider was born. I loved reading Sammy Spider Jewish stories to them. Our contributing book reviewer Sybil Kaplan reports that Sammy Spider is at it again, this time with a cookbook called “Sammy Spider’s First Taste of Hanukkah” by Sylvia A. Rouse and Genene Levy Turndorf. (Kar-Ben Publishing, 2015). She notes that Rouse has written 14 books about the curious little spider who lives in a Jewish house and learns about all the Jewish holidays and customs from his mother. Now Sammy hears Mr. Shapiro tell the mythical story of the Hanukkah oil to his son, Josh, and assists in the making of a cookbook (that also includes crafts) suggested for 2- to 8-year-olds. Kaplan believes it is more appropriate for 6- to 8-year-olds, at least the cooking part. Included are six recipes for simple snacks; six recipes for meals and six desserts. Kaplan points out that this book, along with many others this season, incorrectly refers to the 9-branch hannukiah as a menorah in a couple of spots, including the Melt-in-Your- Mouth Menorahs recipe. A cute added touch is Sammy indicating with a web whether the recipes are meat, dairy or pareve. She believes fans of Sammy Spider will particularly enjoy this clever book. If it’s like other Sammy Spider books, I’m sure they will!{/mprestriction}