Temple Beth David Celebrates Hanukkah

Just as December is an important time for Christians as it marks the birth of Christ, December is an important month for those of the Jewish faith when they celebrate the eight-day festival of Hanukkah. Unlike Christmas which always falls on December 25, the first night of Hanukkah varies, depending on how the Hebrew calendar converges with the Gregorian calendar−the one used in most parts of the world. It can range from late November to early January. This year, both Christmas and the first night of Hanukkah fell on the same date.

Temple Beth David (TBD) in Spring Hill had two special Hanukkah celebrations. The first, held on Friday, December 27, was open to everyone in the community and featured the “lighting” of an electric menorah outside, followed by the regular evening Sabbath service. The menorah is a candelabra made up of nine candle holders−four on each side of a center holder. The center candle is used to light the other candles. The eight candles represent the eight days of Hanukkah. This special holiday is not just a religious ritual marking an important miracle in ancient Jewish history, but also a festive celebration.

Rabbi Jen Goldberg led the services assisted by Mickey White as cantor. Rabbi Jen is young and energetic. She’s been a rabbi for a short period of time, but has 20 years of teaching experience. Rabbi Jen, as she likes to be called, has a bubbly personality that, in her brief tenure at TBD, has endeared her to both the children and adults of the congregation. She has a sense of humor, as evidenced by the headband she wore that had dreidels sticking out from the top. A dreidel is a toy resembling a top with which children use to play a game during the eight days of Hanukkah.

Rabbi Jen thought of becoming a rabbi during her undergraduate studies, but decided to go into teaching. However, she did obtain her Master’s degree in Jewish Studies and went on to get her PhD in Education. Her career has been varied. She’s taught special needs students and has also been a college professor. For nine years, Rabbi Jen worked for the Tampa Jewish Community Centers and Federation as the Executive Director.

“People connect to their Jewish roots in different ways, but to me, Judaism is being part of a Jewish community. There’s the spiritual side to it as well as the social side. My goals for Temple Beth David for the coming year is for everyone who walks through these doors for them to feel welcome, to feel connected in whatever way works for them.”

The Shabbat (Sabbath) service that evening consisted of prayers recited in both Hebrew and English and songs sung in both languages. Some prayers were for healing (physical and spiritual) for members of the congregation and friends of members. Another was a prayer for peace in the world. One of the songs was a joyful tune dating back to the time when God, working through Moses, parted the Red Sea allowing the Jewish people to escape Egypt.

Some of the songs were led by Mickey White, one of several members who take turns acting as cantors. What makes White unusual as a cantor is that he has not yet completed his formal induction into the Jewish faith.

“I’ll be having my Bar Mitzvah at age seventy-six,” he quipped.

White was raised Baptist but his wife of 55 years, Rita, was Jewish. He accompanied her to synagogue, they raised their children in the Jewish religion, and he was even vice-president of the synagogue when they lived in Michigan.

“Being a member of the Jewish faith means that when you pray you’re speaking directly to God. There’s no one in between. The history of Judaism is so fascinating and the beauty of the faith is what has drawn me to it.”

On Sunday, December 29, many members of the congregation returned to TBD to participate in the “Night of 100 Menorahs.” Each family or individual brought their own personal menorah. Some were plain and some were ornate. After saying prayers, they lit their menorahs and then sat down to eat. The meal consisted of four different kinds of soup: matzo ball, lentil, potato and leek, and squash. There was also an ample supply of latkes, a traditional Hanukkah food. These are fried patties made from grated potatoes, flour and spices. The latkes are served with sour cream and apple sauce.

On each table there were several dreidels for the children to play with, along with the gelt (round chocolate candy wrapped in embossed gold foil to resemble gold coins). The gelt is used in the dreidel game. As an additional treat for the children, each one was given a present taken from a compartment inside a large wooden dreidel.

For eight-year-old Logan Evans, Hanukkah means, “latkes, matzo ball soup, apple sauce and sour cream, lots of sour cream.”

Eleven-year-old Emmalyn Short had a slightly different perspective. “Hanukkah means being blessed because of my family and having a roof over my head,” she stated.

Temple Beth David practices Reform Judaism. If you are Jewish or even if you’re not, you are welcome to come in person to any of their services or stream the services online. You’ll experience the majesty, and “beauty of the faith,” like Mickey White states. You’ll also see thousands of years of “TRADITION” as Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof” puts it. TBD has a gift shop and there are social events throughout the year. For more information call 352-686-7034 or go to www.TBDFL.org.

I’d like to give a special thank you to Cookie Goodman for her help with this article.