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From the Desk of Rabbi Shlomo Fox
"What is Hannuka" for our times?

Taking the lessons of the Hasmonean period into account, the Talmudic conception offers to change the discourse and view courage not as the victory of power, but rather as a victory of the spirit. The holiday's symbol is not a weapon, but rather the spirit embodied in the Menorah and the vial of oil. The Sages developed a different discourse, according to which the hero is one who controls his inclinations. It seems that the Sages' conception is also appropriate for our days: Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit, says today's Zionism.   Click here for full article.
  "Hanukah oh Hannukah, come light the Menorah…."  
 
     Hannukah at KMZ will be especially joyous this year as KMZ hosts long-time friends, Rabbi Jay Perlman and 80 of his congregants from Temple Beth Shalom, Needham, MA. Due to the special friendship between Rabbi Maya (currently on sabbatical) and Rabbi Perlman, Rabbi Maya will make a 'guest' appearance and lead the services.
     Rabbi Maya's and Rabbi Jay's path first crossed in Jerusalem in 1987, when Maya and Menachem Leibovich and their children became Jay's Israeli adoptive family.  At the time, Maya was studying to become a rabbi at HUC. So began a special relationship that has grown and strengthened over the years and across the miles and has extended to include their two congregations.
     Rabbi Perlman has created a bi-annual tradition of visiting Israel... Click here for full article.

                        
 
KMZ's Noar Telem (youth group) 'adopts' American students living at Kibbutz Tzuba
 
     For many years the NFTY-EIE program has offered American high school students (10-12th graders) the opportunity to spend a semester in Israel at nearby Kibbutz Tzuba.  As part of this program, the students attend Friday services every few weeks at KMZ. 
     The American students found they really enjoy being at KMZ; on one hand it reminds them of home, and on the other attending services at KMZ was a very Israeli experience. Their counselors approached KMZ about creating an on-going connection between these students and KMZ's Noar Telem.  Our youngsters thought it was a great idea and the students were officially 'adopted'.  Click here for full article.
     
"I returned to Jerusalem, and it is by virtue of Jerusalem that I have written
all that God has put into my heart and into my pen." 
Shmuel Yosef Agnon
 
What happens when KMZ's Beit Midrash meets Y.S. Agnon?
 
     Rabbi Shlomo Fox (interim Rabbi at KMZ, a lecturer at HUC and well known teacher and leader of Beit Midrash throughout Israel) is once again leading KMZ’s Beit Midrash.
     This study forum brings together people from varying backgrounds.  After a presentation to the entire group, participants divide into small 'havrutot', which stimulates discussion, new ideas, directions and keeps alive an ancient tradition of study in the Jewish world.
      This year’s topic is the 1966 Nobel Prize winner in Literature, Y.S. Agnon.   Click here for full article.
 
     
 
In recent months KMZ enjoyed hosting the following Rabbis and their congregants:
Rabbi Marcia Zimmerman, Temple Israel, Minneapolis, MN
Rabbi Donald Rossoff, Bnai Or, Morristown, NJ
Rabbi Robin Nafsi & Cantor Shira Nafsi, Temple Beth Jacob, Concord, NH
Rabbi Kari Tuling, Temple Beth Israel, Plattsburgh, NY
Rabbi Vered Harris Temple B'nai Israel, Oklahoma City, OK

We look forward to hosting our December visitors:
Rabbi Jay Perlman, Temple Beth Shalom, Needham, MA
Rabbi Daniel Wiener, Temple De Hirsch Sinai, Seattle, WA
Help us perpetuate the light of Hannukah and the voice of Liberal Judaism in Israel.
 
Kehilat Mevasseret Zion does not receive support from the national nor local Israeli government and can only achieve its goals with the assistance of donations from members of the Reform community.
Without these donations, serving those in our area would not be possible.
 
 For online membership renewal and donations please click here.
We hope that you will help support our efforts.
Thank you in advance for your generosity.
May the light of Hannukah fill your hearts and your homes,
Rabbi Shlomo Fox, Galia Kahane-Fridman,Executive Director & Eran Ovadia, Chairperson
Kehilat Mevasseret Zion
POB 40148, Mevasseret Zion 9140002   ISRAEL
www.kamatz.org         info@kamatz.org