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The New Shul

Miketz/Hanukah/Thanksgiving

Parshat Miketz, which is always read during Hanukah, tells the story of Pharoah’s dream. He dreamed of seven fat cows being swallowed up by seven thin cows, which foretold seven years of prosperity that would be swallowed up by seven years of famine.

The author of Hanah David (David Camped) interpreted Pharoah’s dream in a very different way, as a pointer to the story of Hanukah. For him, the seven fat cows swallowed by the seven thin cows foretold how the mighty army of Antiochus would be destroyed by the tiny Maccabean army.

To put such a positive spin on such a dark and threatening dream — to transform a message of impending famine into one of miraculous redemption — requires a radical shift in perspective. It means choosing to see light in the darkness, to see blessing in a world of brokenness.

On Thanksgiving, our day of gratefulness, we all do that. We look past the fears, worries and disappointments that darken our world much of the time, and choose instead to see blessings. This Hanukah, and this Thanksgiving, may we celebrate our miracles.

  • Shabbat services at The New Shul are on Friday evenings from 6 to 7 pm and on Saturday mornings from 9 am to 12 noon. The kiddush this Shabbat, November 30, is sponsored by Barbara Greenberg.
  • Childcare is available from 10 am to 12 noon on Shabbat mornings. Please note that Munchkin Minyan will not meet this Shabbat.
  • Minyanim during the week are on Sunday mornings at 9:30 am and on Wednesday mornings at 7 am.
  • On Monday December 2 at 7 pm, Rabbi Wasserman will participate in a panel discussion sponsored by the Women’s Jewish Learning Center, Valley Beit MIdrash,.and the JCC:“Rabbinic Takes on Tough Texts.” The topic is the Binding of Isaac, and the other panelists are Rabbi Mari Chernow and Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz. The program is at the JCC, and is open to all. Please bring a can of food to help feed the hungry.
  • The New Shul Coffee House is on Saturday night December 7 at 7:30 pm. Join us for live music and other entertainment by our own local talent. The cost is $5 per adult at the door.
  • The New Shul will host an Israeli dancing workshop, led by Ora Kurland, on Wednesday December 11 at 7 pm. It is free and open to all.