Chanukah Booklet 2020

Welcome to Mesa Regal RV Resort Chanukah Menorah Lighting Ceremony Wednesday evening, December 16, 2020 Chanukah begins each year at sundown on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev and is celebrated for 8 nights. This year Chanukah is observed from December 10 - 18.

Program Welcome – Shalom Greeting from Marc Franklin You will find on your seat Jelly Doughnut (Sufganiyot) Chocolate Gelt A Dreidel and game card Blessings over the lights Lighting of the Mesa Regal Chanukah Menorah Blessings over the Miracle Please stay for some Chanukah songs lead by Gene Schaffner and Debra Zimbler Play the Dreidel Game at home with friends Shalom Masks are required in the Main Parking Lot

The Candles The only religious observance related to the holiday is the lighting of candles. The candles are arranged in a candelabrum called a Chanukah menorah that holds nine candles: On the first night, place one candle at the far right, as you face the menorah. Another candle is placed for the Shamash (taller helper candle) which is used to light the others. On the second night, place two candles in the two far-right positions – and use the Shamash to light them in order, from left to right - the newest candle first. Follow this same procedure each night of Chanukah... until all the lights are kindled and glowing brightly! A Brief History of Chanukah Chanukah, the Jewish festival of rededication, also known as the festival of lights, is an eight day festival beginning on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev (usually in December). About 2200 years ago, Greek kings, who reigned from Damascus, ruled over the land of Judea and the Jews living there. One Greco-Syrian King, Antiochus Epiphanes, forbade the Jewish people from praying to their God, practicing their customs, and studying their Torah. He began to oppress the Jews severely, placing a Hellenistic priest in the Temple, massacring Jews, prohibiting the practice of the Jewish religion, and desecrating the Temple by requiring the sacrifice of pigs (a non-kosher animal) on the altar. In response to this persecution, Judah Maccabee and his four brothers organized a group of resistance fighters known as the Maccabees. Against great odds, after three years of fighting, the Maccabees succeeded in driving the Greco-Syrians out of Judea. The Maccabees reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. They cleaned the Temple, removing the Greek symbols and statues. When Judah and his followers finished cleaning the temple, they rededicated it. On the 25th day of the month of Kislev in 164 BCE, the Temple was purified and rededicated. According to tradition as recorded in the Talmud, at the time of the rededication, there was very little oil left that had not been defiled by the Greeks. Oil was needed for the menorah (candelabrum) in the Temple, which was supposed to burn throughout the night every night. There was only enough oil to burn for one day, yet miraculously, it burned for eight days, the time needed to prepare a fresh supply of oil for the menorah. An eight day festival was declared to commemorate this miracle. Note that the holiday commemorates the miracle of the oil, not the military victory; while Jews fight when necessary, they do not glorify war.

Chanukah Blessings Blessing over candles baruch atah adonai eloheinu melech ha'olam asher kid'shanu b'mitz'votayv v'tzivanu l'had'lik neir shel hanukah. Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe, who has made us holy through commandments and commanded us to kindle the Chanukah candle. Blessing over miracle baruch atah adonai eloheinu melech ha'olam she'asah nisim la'avoteinu bayamim haheim baz'man hazeh . Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe, who performed miracles for our ancestors in those days at this time of year.

Maoz Tzur Traditional Songs ma'oz tzur y'shu'ati l'cha na'eh l'shabei'ach tikon beit t'filati v'sham todah n'zabei'ach 'eit tachin mat'bei'ach mitzor ham'nabei'ach az eg'mor b'shir miz'mor hanukat hamiz'bei'ach . Mighty rock of my salvation, it's You I want to praise. Repair the house of my prayer and there I will offer thanks of rededication. When you wreak havoc for the foe who maligns us, then I sing songs and praise of rededication. Rock of Ages Who can Retell Rock of Ages, let our song Praise Your saving power; You, amid the raging foes, Were our sheltering tower. Furious, they assailed us, But Your arm availed us, And Your word Broke their sword,

Traditional Songs Continued Mi Y’malel I Have a Little Dreidel I have a little dreidel, I made it out of clay, And when it's dry and ready, Then dreidel I shall play! (Chorus) Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, I made it out of clay; Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, Then dreidel I shall play. Oh Chanukah Oh Chanukah, Oh Chanukah, come light the Menorah, Let's have a party, we'll all dance the hora. Gather round the table, we'll give you a treat. Dreidels to play with, Latkes to eat. And while we are playing, The candles are burning low. One for each night, they shed a sweet light, To remind us of days long ago;

Recipes Latkes (potato pancakes) Serves 4 hearty appetites Ingredients: 6 medium potatoes, cut in wedges 1 large onion, cut in wedges 3 tablespoons matzah meal or all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 2 to 3 eggs vegetable oil for frying Optional: applesauce and/or sour cream Place fine shredding disc of food processor into mixing container. Closely pack potato and onion wedges into feed tube. Process while using food pusher to press potatoes and onion onto shredding disc. After processing, remove shredding dish and food from mixing container. Place steel cutting blade into container. Mix together matzah meal or flour, salt, and baking powder into mixing container. Process while adding eggs. Stop, unplug unit and scrape down sides of mixing container with rubber spatula whenever necessary. Add shredded potatoes and onion and process for a very few seconds until mixed. In one or two 12-inch skillets, heat oil to a depth of approximately 1/4 inch. Drop potato mixture by large spoonful’s into the oil. Flatten each mound slightly and fry in batches over medium-high heat until golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels, changing the towels frequently as they absorb the oil. To keep the finished pancakes warm and crisp while you fry the rest (or to reheat them if they were fried in advance), place them on a rack set over a cookie sheet in a preheated 300 degree oven. Between batches add more oil to the skillet if needed, and make sure that it is hot enough before dropping in more potato mixture. Serve hot with applesauce and/or sour cream.

Chanukah Hosts Marc Franklin via Zoom Gloria & Manny Salgado, Resort Managers Jodi Bee, Activities Director Assistance with tonight’s Menorah Lighting and Blessings Gene Schaffner and Debra Zimbler