Don’t Forget our
Chanukah Program
Tuesday, December 19
6:30 p.m.
in the Multi-Purpose Room
with performances by students in
Kindergarten through Grade 8
No need to worry about the weather
the MPR will be “standing room only”
and everyone will be nice and warm!
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CHANUKAH
We celebrate two chagim (holidays) by virtue of Rabbinic decree. Both celebrate miracles that happened to our ancestors. Both celebrate victories against those who wished to destroy us; one physically the other spiritually. Both holidays have always been child centered and continue to be so. Both have an eternal message; yet they are different, and as time passes the differences become more manifest.
Purim is the older of the two. Haman sought to wipe out the entire Jewish nation. His was the original “final solution” and there was to be no way of saving oneself. Who so ever was descended from a Jew would have met the same fate.
Chanukah, however, is different. This was not an attempt on the life of the Jew but his very soul. To survive required nothing more than the denial of all that mattered to Jews and the acceptance of the superiority of Greek culture.
We celebrate Purim by reminding ourselves of the miracle by reading the Megillah; we make sure to give gifts to the poor and also our friends. There is also an ancient custom of disguising ourselves by wearing costumes. Perhaps the reason for this is to show that no matter how much one might have tried there was nowhere to hide. Had the Almighty not chosen to save us we would all have died.
Our children learn important lessons of identity, gratitude and caring. On Purim it is Mishloach Manot; it is giving that is so important.
Dr. Seuss wrote about the Grinch who stole Christmas. We need to ask ourselves, who stole Chanukah. The holiday that celebrates the victory of inner spirituality over outer beauty, the flame that burns without there being any oil has turned into the most materialistic of holidays. The holiday that celebrates the uniqueness of our people has become just another expression of crass December commercialism.
Just as we have a custom of disguise on Purim, so too do we have a custom of Chanukah gelt. The custom was to give children a gift of money on the fifth night of Chanukah. The reason for this particular day is one of the quirks of the Jewish calendar; the fifth night is never on Shabbat. We gave money so that the child would learn that from whatever one receives, one gives Tzedakah. The tradition that we had of giving Chanukah gelt has become one of giving a piece of chocolate. We never had a tradition of gifts. We have gone a full circle - the celebration of the victory of the spirit over the material has become the victory of materialism.
Let us put the gelt back in Chanukah and leave the gifts for our neighbors. Do we really have to outdo them with eight nights of gifts?
COMMUNITY CHANUKAH CELEBRATION
During the eight nights of Chanukah, the various agencies of the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley will “light up” Valley Fair Shopping Center, in San Jose, with candle lighting ceremonies in front of Macy’s entrance, at the Men’s Department, on the 2nd floor of the mall.
Each night a different federation agency will have the honor of lighting the Chanukiah; SPHDS will light the candles on the 4th night, Monday, December 18th, the program will be from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. In addition to the candle lighting there will be a variety of activities.
Please be aware that parking is always difficult at the malls during Chanukah.
x + y = z
Last month our 7th and 8th grade students participated in the national math contest, the American Mathematics Competition. It was challenging and our students excelled.
Mazel Tov to the following middle school students who received awards:
Erez Cramer – 1st place
National Honor Roll award
Ari Rosenfeld – 2nd place
Yael Bublil – 3rd place
Aliza Landes – 3rd place
Eytan Davidovits – 3rd place
 
 
CAMPUS TOURS FOR 2007 - 2008
Campus tours for prospective and current SPHDS parents will continue through Monday, December 18th and then resume after winter vacation. Families whose children will be 2 years old, by September 1, 2007, and/or have children entering Kindergarten through 8th grade are invited to arrange a personal tour of our campus. Please call Rachel at 408 738-3060.
Priority will be given to children who have siblings in the school.
BOB AND BOB TO CLOSE
The viability of a Jewish Community depends on a few key institutions: a school, a shul, a mikveh, a butcher, and a bookstore. No sooner had we become a viable community with all of the five institutions than we hear the disturbing news that we might possibly be losing our bookstore. Bob and Bob has faithfully served the community for many years. To see a veritable institution, a pillar of strength, and a beacon of light suddenly extinguished is something we can ill afford. We appeal to the extended school family to support Bob and Bob in their final Chanukah sale and thus insure the viability of the business to open at another venue.
PARENT ASSOCIATION HAPPENINGS
Book Club
The next session of the Book Club will be on Thursday, January 4th, from 1:30 – 2:30, in the Library. Rashi’s Daughters, Book 1: Joheved, by Maggie Anton is the selected reading for next month.
Rashi, one of the greatest Jewish scholars of all time, had three daughters but no sons. Much has been written about Rashi and his grandsons, the Tosafot, but there is very little information about his daughters. It is known that his daughters were learned during a time when this was a rarity amongst women. This novel tells the story.
Ice Skating
Our annual Ice Skating Social will be held on Sunday, January 21st, from 12:45 – 2:45 p.m. at the Winter Lodge, in Palo Alto. Save the date…more details to follow.
Scrapbooking on a Sunday Afternoon
Enjoy Scrapbooking? Join the PA for its 2nd session on Sunday afternoon, January 28th, from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. in the MPR. Come, hang out and work on your pictures! If your children enjoy this hobby, they are welcome to come and do their projects.
Sally Foster Online Store
It is not too late to purchase gift paper, dreidles and Chanukah wrappings from Sally Foster’s online store which will be open until January 15, 2007. To order go to www.sallyfoster.com, enter the school account number 357901, when prompted. This is a very easy way to get more items and support the school at the same time.
Challah Order Forms
Remember to turn in your Izzy Challah order forms by Monday, December 18. The new order form for next year is attached to the Chai Lights.
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