Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation welcomes new members

Menorahs and dreidels

Menorahs and dreidels

The Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation is an established reform congregation that meets at the Sun Lakes Chapel at 7:30 p.m. on the second Friday of each month.

Services are a wonderful opportunity to meet Rabbi Wiener, our cantor Ronda Polesky and hear the beautiful voices of our choir.

New members are welcome and have the opportunity to meet congregants at the service and at the Oneg Shabbat following the service.

Our next service will be held on Friday, January 9 in the Sun Lakes Chapel.

SLJC celebrated Hanukkah at a grand celebration of the Hanukkah Festival of Lights on Sunday, December 21 at 4:00 p.m. at the Oakwood Clubhouse. The festival is observed by the kindling of the lights of a unique candelabrum, the nine-branched menorah or hanukiah, one additional light on each night of the holiday, progressing to eight on the final night. The typical menorah consists of eight branches with an additional visually distinct branch. The extra light is called a shamash (“attendant”) and is given a distinct location, usually above or below the rest. The purpose of the shamash is to have a light available for practical use, as using the Hanukkah lights themselves for purposes other than publicizing and meditating upon Hanukkah is forbidden.

Other Hanukkah festivities include playing dreidel and eating foods such as doughnuts and latkes.

Hanukkah became more widely celebrated beginning from the 1970’s, when Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson called for public awareness of the festival and encouraged the lighting of public menorahs.

SLJC celebrated Hanukah at a wonderful event on December 21 which included a buffet dinner, entertainment; fun was had by all who attended.

At the January service the installation of the new officers and continuing members of the Board of Directors will occur and the officers that have completed their terms will be honored.

On February 13 the SLJC Sisterhood will take the leadership role at the Friday night service.