The New Shul

Parshat Miketz/Shabbat Hanukah

Rabbi Levi Yitzhak of Berditchev taught that, just as the lighting of a flame is the essence of observing Hanukah, so it is the essence of every mitzvah. A true mitzvah is an expression of the sacred spark that is hidden deep inside us. Whenever we perform a sacred deed – an act of worship or an act of compassion – we make that hidden spark more visible to ourselves and others. We cause it to burn more brightly, like a candle in the darkness.

The ancient rabbis taught that the purpose of the Hanukah lights is pirsum ha-nes, making the miracle known. The same can be said of all mitzot. The greatest miracle of all is that every human being has a spark of the divine within. Through every sacred deed that we perform, we increase awareness of that miracle and bring light into the darkness.

  • The New Shul’s Shabbat services are on Friday evenings from 6 to 7 pm, and on Saturday mornings from 9 am to 12 noon. The kiddush-lunch this Shabbat, December 12, is sponsored by Scott Berlant in memory of his mother Lilyan Berlant.
  • Childcare is available from 10 am to noon on Shabbat mornings. Learning services for children this Shabbat are at the following times: from 11 to 11:30 am for toddlers and pre-schoolers, and from 11 to 11:45 am for grades 1 to 3.
  • Minyanim during the week are on Sunday mornings at 9:30 am, Monday evenings at 7 pm, Wednesday mornings at 7 am and Wednesday evenings at 7 pm.
  • Join us this Saturday night, December 12 at 7:30 pm for our annual Hanukah Coffee House. There will be lots of live music and other entertainment by our own local talent. The cost is $5 per adult at the door.
  • On New Years Day, Friday January 1, The New Shul community will serve meals to the hungry at St. Vincent de Paul’s Jackson Street dining room from 10 am to 1 pm. Please let us know if you can help.
  • The Womens’ Jewish Learning Center’s havdalah event – “Wine, Women and Wisdom” – is on Saturday January 9 from 7 to 8:30 pm. See the WJLC website for further information.