Paul Bass Photo
Rabbis Brian Immerman and Eric Woodward at WNHH FM.
When it turns dark Sunday, it will also turn light — for eight straight nights.
Sunday night is the beginning of the eight-day Jewish holiday of Chanukkah, celebrating the victory of Jewish rebels against Greek oppression and the “miracle” of a cruse of oil lasting long enough to light a menorah for eight nights.
The basic message of the holiday is fun — lighting menorahs at home, playing the dreidel game and eating potato pancakes (latkes), singing in synagogue — with an underlying message of bringing light to the world in times of darkness.
“Ultimately Chanukkah is the story of hope over hate,” said Rabbi Brian Immerman of Congregation Mishkan Israel.
Immerman and Rabbi Eric Woodward of Congregation Beth El Keser Israel (BEKI) discussed the meaning of the holiday during a joint appearance on WNHH FM’s “Dateline New Haven” program. They spoke of how the holiday calls on Jews to “find light” in their lives and in their communities. They also described specific plans their congregations have in the works, from an annual Mishkan Israel torch-lighting and run from the top of East Rock to a firepit singalong planned at BEKI.
The two rabbis spoke about the complexities of “miracles” like “ending homelessness” — they involve not just prayers to God for help, but “divine inspiration flowing through us” to act on our own to, say, create affordable housing
“We don’t define a miracle that’s supernatural or crazy or impossible. A miracle is any time you say, ‘Love triumphed over hate.’ It’s not inexplicable. It’s powerful,” Woodward said.
Click on the video above to watch the full conversation about Chanukkah with Rabbis Eric Woodward and Brian Immerman on WNHH FM’s “Dateline New Haven.”
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Happy Chanukkah to everyone!