Kol Hadash News: November 30, 2016

Shabbat Service
Friday, December 2, 7:30 PM
North Shore Unitarian Church
Today's Anti-Semitism
Events of recent months have shined a spotlight on dark corners of our culture. Those who thought anti-Semitism a relic of the past, or restricted to less enlightened parts of the globe, have been dismayed to be offended by both the political left and the alt-right. Nuanced discussions of when criticism of Israel crosses the line or how best to discuss the realities of Jewish privilege feel impossible when under siege. What are the new realities of anti-Semitism today?
 
Friday, December 9, 7:30 PM
North Shore Unitarian Church
Guest Speaker:  Chris Johnson:  A Better Life
A Better Life chronicles author and filmmaker Chris Johnson's worldwide journey to document the lives and experiences of authors, musicians, actors, and scientists who seek meaning and joy without belief in a supernatural power. Join us for a special showing of a selection from the film, and a discussion with the filmmaker!
 
Financial Support for this program is provided by the Friedman Family Fund of Kol Hadash Humanistic Congregation.
Adult Education
Sunday, December 4, 9:30-11:00 AM
Deerfield High School
The Hidden History of Hanukkah
Did you know that the "miracle of the oil" story first appeared over 500 years after the Maccabees? And other sources much closer to the events make no mention of it. So where did Hanukkah really come from, and why ahs it become one of the most widely celebrated holidays for Jewish Americans?
 
Tuesday, December 6, 7:30 PM
North Shore Unitarian Church
Ethics
How to be a good person is critical for any philosophy of life. Do we follow rules because they are there, or because of the authority who wrote them, or because we agree with their consequences in the real world for us and for others? How do we relate to so-called "Jewish values," and how do our personal ethics influence our actions in society?
Hanukkah Celebration
Sunday, December 11, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
RSVP by December 4 (THIS SUNDAY!)
Deerfield High School
Join your Kol Hadash family to celebrate Hanukkah a bit early (the 1st night is December 24) with a celebration after Sunday School classes. Our youngest students will present their Humanorah; we’ll eat latkes (potato pancakes) and schmooze (chat); we’ll sing, spin dreidels, and play the ever-popular Name Bingo!  This is an all-ages event – all congregants are welcome, whether you have kids in our Sunday School or not.  Bring your friends and family!  And bring your family’s menorah for our Menorah Show & Tell!
 
Kol Hadash provides the main course and latkes; families bring a potluck salad, side dish, or dessert.  There is a small fee for food. See this flyer for details Or you can register online here.
 
While we celebrate, we also remember those less fortunate.  We will collect food and household items for a local food pantry and holiday gifts for Community Alternatives Unlimited.
 
Volunteers are needed!  Sign up HERE.
Kol Hadash Holiday Gift Collection
The Community Service Committee is doing a Holiday Gift Giving Program to support Community Alternatives. To participate please bring gifts to the Family Hanukkah Party (Sunday, December 11). Gifts should be unwrapped and labeled by gender and age range. Suggested items include: books (Spanish), puzzles, stuffed animals, dolls, arts & crafts, hats, mittens, scarves, socks, and cosmetics.

Questions? Contact Susan Addelson ([email protected]).
Youth Education
Kol Hadash provides snacks for all students during Sunday School.  Students should not bring snacks from home but should bring a water bottle each week.

 Sunday, December 4
Deerfield High School
Snack: Mini Bagels (Pirates Booty available)

Deadline to RSVP for Hanukkah Celebration (see above)
9:30 – 11:30  Classes for Kindergarten – 10th Grade
9:30 – 11:30 Confirmation Class Field Trip to Trinity United Church of Christ, Deerfield
9:30 – 11:00 Adult Education, see above
11:10 – 11:30 All School Music, everyone invited! Brush up on your Hanukkah songs!
11:45 – 12:45 6th Grade Hebrew & 7th Grade B’nai Mitzvah classes—students should bring a lunch to eat during the break.

Sunday, December 11
Deerfield High School
Snack: Apple Slices

9:00 – 9:30  EARLY 6th Grade Hebrew & 7th Grade B’nai Mitzvah classes
9:30 – 11:00  Classes for Kindergarten – 10th Grade, Hanukkah volunteers set up for party
11:00 – 12:30   Hanukkah Celebration, see above for details
Parents: if you are not attending the Hanuakkah Celebration, please pick up your students in their classrooms at 11:00.

Sunday, December 18 – January 2:
No Classes for Winter Break
Classes resume Sunday, January 9, 2017!
Amazon Smile
Amazon Smile has the exact same listings at the same prices as ordinary amazon.com, except 0.5% of the purchase price is donated to your designated charity.  If you’re a regular amazon user, please consider ordering through Smile and designating Kol Hadash.  See here for more information.
The Shofar
If you would like to opt out of receiving the paper copy of the newsletter and only receive the digital version, email the office ([email protected]) and let us know! Going digital saves us money in printing and mailing costs, and is also good for the environment!