Always be Celebrating

November 12, 2021 in Hazzan Asa Fradkin

The life of a shul is often one of the hiker who plans his traverse of a stream by picking the firmest looking stones.

The year is long but filled with numerous stopping points to celebrate the milestones of of our community and of course, the Jewish holidays.

Whenever someone asks me “what’s new at the shul?” I typically respond with an anecdote about which holiday we are prepping for. I’m writing this in November, so Purim prep is beginning!

This lends some credence to the non-Jewish perception that we have so many holidays we practically seem to make them up!

But that’s the beauty of our tradition. We are a celebratory people. As soon as Sukkot is over, it’s time to start planning for Hanukkah celebrations and once Hanukkah ends it is nearly the birthday of the trees, Tu B’Shevat.

Exhausting as it can be from an institutional perspective, we are following God’s instruction to fill our lives with joy and gratitude.

It is an approach that has kept our people in the light during centuries of darkness and oppression.

One of my favorite stopping points along the year is Hanukkah. Last year we had wonderful BERS programs where families drove up to tables in the parking lot where they lit candles we sang songs afterwards.

Dr. Anthony Fauci famously provided a cameo in the Latke Hamantaschen debate, which was held online.

But let’s be honest. One of 2019’s biggest parties was cancelled last Hanukkah and it is coming back!

Latkes and Vodka is a cabaret and dinner theater that celebrates Hanukkah in a zany and sometimes irreverent way that’s just for adults.

And it’s back on Thursday, December 2, at 7:00 pm! (Click here to register.)

There’s a skit with parody songs, a cabaret, and this year a piano-bar-style sing a long.

Did I mention there’s Latkes AND Vodka?

Hanukkah is a solstice holiday of light in a season of darkness and we have had nearly 18 months of separation, fear and isolation since the pandemic began.

It’s been two years since we could celebrate this holiday together. So come have a drink, laugh and sing your heart out and be glad that this our community. This is our people.

Shabbat Shalom,
Hazzan Fradkin