Dear Temple Sinai Members and Friends,
Well, Chanukah 5786/2025 is finally here. Our observance of Chanukah this year is more important than ever.
We as Jews are living today through a period of growing darkness. The Jewish community both here in Florida, throughout the United States and throughout the world is suffering from increasing acts of Antisemitism. The horrendous murder of 15 Jews, including two rabbis, and wounding of almost 30 others, all of whom were celebrating the first night of Chanukah, is evidence of the rising scourge of Anti-Semitism. As Executive Director of the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council has warned for years that “the unceasing antisemitic vitriol on our streets would evolve into antisemitic violence if left unchecked,” Executive Director Rubenstein says. “We have warned that verbal abuse becomes graffiti, becomes arson, becomes physical violence, becomes murder.”
These past few weeks I have attended two deputy trainings on dealing with antisemitic crimes hosted by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. I attended my first meeting of the State Attorney’s Hate Crimes Task Force, of which I am now a member, and for the most part all we spoke about were antisemitic crimes.
Antisemitic crimes are rampant throughout the world. I was appalled to read the following:
All the mezuzahs on the doors of a senior housing building in Toronto, Canada, were pulled off in an act of terrible antisemitism. A governmental person said, “There is no excuse for targeting people because they are Jewish.”
Columbia University’s antisemitism task force released its fourth and final report on Tuesday, saying that Jewish and Israeli students had been singled out and scapegoated in classrooms, and that the university lacked faculty in Middle East studies who were not anti-Zionist.
Gov. Josh Shapiro urged Philadelphia’s school district to confront rising antisemitism as a congressional probe examines allegations of hostile environments, teachers spreading anti-Jewish rhetoric, and policy violations by activist educators. Documents reveal pro-Palestinian groups recruiting students and promoting resistance. Parents and teachers report intimidation, biased materials, and ongoing incidents despite a federal corrective plan.
And finally,
Harvard hired a man previously charged with assaulting an Israeli classmate during a 2023 protest—after he completed court-ordered programs and his case was dismissed. He is now a graduate teaching fellow at the school.
For this reason, we must observe Chanukah with complete dedication, commitment, strength and joy, all of which are incumbent upon us all, young and old. We need to light the lights of Chanukah and make them brighter than ever by first simply being proud of being a Jew. Secondly, being fully engaged in Temple programs and other Jewish programs that are held almost on a weekly basis throughout Palm Beach County, which has the 3rd largest Jewish population of any county in the U.S. Thirdly, develop a daily program that involves a commitment to Jewish study and prayer.
You need to become one of the candles on the Menorah by living a full Jewish life in every way that you and your family can. Although the candles on the Menorah will eventually burn out, you must ensure that you as a candle burning bright never allows your flame to either dim or go out.
I must tell you how proud I was of the large number of Temple Sinai members who attended the inspiring Delray Beach Chanukah Menorah Lighting on Sunday, first night of Chanukah. With over 2,000 people in attendance, a very strong message of Jewish solidarity was sent forth to Palm Beach County and the world. Also, I was so proud of Cantor Shir and her girls’ choir for their beautiful presentation and video. They helped to ensure that everyone in Delray now knows of Temple Sinai.
Please be sure to attend our Chanukah Shabbat this Friday, December 19th. Remember to bring one of your family Menorot, so that you can light the candles of the 6th night along with the many other families in attendance. Also, be sure to sign up to attend the wonderful Temple/Sisterhood/Brotherhood Chanukah party on Saturday night the 20th. You must do this by the end of the day today, Monday, December 15th. Both events will have the delicious latkes made by my wife, Judy’s dedicated Sisterhood Latke-Making Squad.
May God’s blessings be upon each of us and our families as we celebrate Chanukah this year. May we do so with true joy and thereby show our neighbors, our community, and the world that we are proud to be Jewish.
Am Yisrael Chai. May the People of Israel Live forever.
Judy and I wish you a very Happy Chanukah and a Shabbat Shalom.
Your Rabbi Steve