Rabbi Yael Ridberg writes: It is no secret that much of the world can’t wait for 2020 to end. The compounded losses brought to us by the COVID-19 pandemic have penetrated every layer of our existence, and hope and joy have been elusive and fleeting. As we approach the darkest days of the year, we also anticipate holidays of light that we need so badly. We have been searching for miracles all year: an end to the suffering, to be able to embrace one another again, and to gather without concern. This week Jews all over the world will light the eight-branch Hanukkah candelabra to remember and celebrate the unexpected miracles found in the depths of despair.
Despite all the corny but mild holiday songs – not to mention the Sages' emphasis on the miracle of the oil in a desperately dark time – our tradition has never stopped valorizing the combat undertaken by the Maccabees to oust the Seleucid Empire from our Holy Land. We will first consider the historical use of Hanukkah as a template for an armed response but end by learning about a new response to the violence of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as practiced by Women Wage Peace, Israel's largest grassroots peace movement, and its new Palestinian counterpart, Women of the Sun.
Whether you’re looking for a gift for the spiritual seeker in your life, to entertain the whole family, or are looking for a way to spread care to people near and far, the Ritualwell gift guide has something for everyone. Check out our selections below, all available at the Ritualwell Store.
The Reconstructionist Network
Serving as central organization of the Reconstructionist movement
Training the next generation of groundbreaking rabbis
Modeling respectful conversations on pressing Jewish issues
Curating original, Jewish rituals, and convening Jewish creatives
