Friday night Candlelighting is at 3:59
Shabbat ends at 5:04
Torah
Tefilah Sign-up
Mercaz Covid Guideline
Wednesday night learning (on Thursday this week only)!
Chanukah Zoom Lighting and Trivia
Chanukah Sufganiyot making with Leah Jaffee
Mercaz Onsies
Mikvah and Eruv Campaign
Nes Nistar from Rachel Israel Rosenfeld
Every holiday has its lessons, that once a year reminder that we have built into our calendar. Sometimes the lessons change and not everyone derives the same lesson in the same way, of course.
One of my favorite lessons of Chanukah is about the perception of miracles. Chanukah highlights 2 different kinds of miracles, the Nes Nistar (hidden miracle) and the Nes Nigleh (revealed miracle). The Nes Nigleh of Chanukah is the tiny bit of oil lasting for so long. It is a miracle that defies the laws of nature. Ramban brings that when we experience a Nes Nigleh, it serves to remind us that nature comes from Hashem. That is an idea that was missing from much of Syrian/Greek ruled Eretz Yisrael and certainly, a reminder was due and needed in that time.
We all need these reminders but I think more relevant to me, to most of us, is the recognition of the Nes Nistar. For Chanukah, this was the victory of the Chashmonayim over the Syrian Greeks. For us, it is the thousands of connections, kindnesses, "coincidences", blessings, and "near misses" that human beings have in their lives. It's the perfect timing moments that we often don't have time to appreciate fully. Just as nature comes from Hashem and can be seen as holy, so can these seemingly tiny moments with sometimes big impact.
If you are learning the parashah this week, I encourage you to look at it through this lens of miracles, which is a whole other dvar, and I wish all of us a safe and healthy Chanukah full of recognized hidden miracles and maybe a nice revealed miracle as well.
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Shabbat Shalom!
We would like to thank everyone who has come to Mercaz tefilah for doing such a great job following our guidelines!
For this week only, on Thursday night!
Wednesday night learning
Time: 8:30 pm - 9:30 pm, tonight
Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82578116647
Meeting ID: 825 7811 6647
Chanukah with Mercaz
What - Mercaz Zoom Chanukiah Lighting, Songs, Trivia Kahoot with prizes and time to shmooze
When - December 12, 2020, from 5:20 pm - 7:00 pm
Where - Zoom and in all our homes!
Why - Let's share the light!
How - Zoom
Topic: Mercaz Chanukah Lighting and Trivia
Time: Dec 12, 2020 05:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Meeting ID: 867 5566 5010
One tap mobile
+12532158782,,86755665010# US (Tacoma)
+13462487799,,86755665010# US (Houston)
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kjYxpSdW
A message from the Kahoot organizers:
We have room for 20 teams. To get ready, please download the app Kahoot!. If you prefer to access it on a computer, you can, through the link www.kahoot.it. When we start the game on Saturday evening, we will provide you with the game pin so that you can participate! On the app, there is a colorful button on the bottom center of the screen that says Enter PIN, click on that and enter the PIN we will provide at game time. On the website, you will see the place to enter the game PIN in the center of your screen.
Sufganiyot with Leah Jaffee!!!
What: Join the Mercaz community on Zoom for sufganiyot making with caterer Leah Jaffee
When: December 13th at 5 pm, the 4th night of Chanukah.
Where: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87832816003 Why: Sufganiyot and learning from the best!
How: Prep your dough ahead of time and then benefit from Leah's frying and filling tips. Leah suggests rice bran oil for frying. Cash and Carry sells it by the gallon. Recipe below:
Topic: Leah Cooks Sufganiyot
Time: Dec 13, 2020 05:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87832816003 Meeting ID: 878 3281 6003
One tap mobile
+12532158782,,87832816003# US (Tacoma)
+16699006833,,87832816003# US (San Jose)
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kc2fgsDAd8
Mercaz Onsies's for Purchase
If your baby has outgrown their Mercaz onsie or if you would like to gift one to a grandchild, niece, or nephew or friend we have some available for purchase.
They are $18 each and we have sizes 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months. Soft cotton with our beautiful, vivid logo.
The North End Eruv and Mikveh Yisroel Mei Menachem are cornerstones of our community and the money raised through this campaign goes to their maintenance and upkeep. Starting on December 16th, keep your eyes out for the way to donate. Thank you!
See the Jewish Federation's Community Calendar below.
