Page 53 - Jewish News | November 2021

FOCUS ON YOUTH November 2021 21B

Education opens doors to a brighter future

A program of The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee, PJ Library & PJ
Our Way engages children between birth and age 12, and their families, with
books and activities that enhance their Jewish journey. Throughout the year,
families gather for story times and other special programs where they can
socialize and meet new friends. PJ is for any family raising Jewish children –
affiliated, unaffiliated, interfaith or non-traditional. The program is completely
free for families, thanks to the generosity of The Harold Grinspoon Founda- from
tion, Edie and David Chaifetz, the Federation and other generous donors. Jessi & MG
Eight bright lights

By MG Berman, PJ Community Connector We are so thankful

hanukah comes and goes each time to find more oil. To that we say, for our PJ families and
year, we say prayers and light as the letters on the dreidel state, “Nes PJ Advisory Committee.
Ccandles, and many of us enjoy gadol ha-ya shom,” “A great miracle Because of YOU,
sharing in the giving and receiving of happened there!” Now, each year, we
gifts. But what does it all mean? Why continue burning the Chanukiah, light- our jobs are a joy.
do we continue to celebrate each year? ing a candle each night, from one to Thank you for being part
What makes this non-religious, rather, eight respectively, to remember this
symbolic holiday special? miracle. of this incredible
Chanukah will be celebrated this On the first night of Chanukah, we PJ Library community!
year from sundown Sunday, Novem- say three blessings while on all other
ber 28 to sundown nights we say two. On the first night we #PJSRQ
Monday, Decem- first bless the candles, then say the spe-
ber 6. Each night cific blessing for the holiday of Cha-
we will add a can- nukah and lastly the blessing of thanks SARASOTA-MANATEE
dle and watch in for reaching this special occasion, the
amazement as the Shehecheyanu. These blessings help us
fire burns the wax remember the importance of the holi- Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgiving, turn routine jobs
into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.
down. Chanukah day – the miracle that happened there
means “dedication” and the success in securing religious ~William Arthur Ward
MG Berman in Hebrew and be- freedom.
gins on the 25 of the Hebrew month Everyone may celebrate the holi-
th
of Kislev. day differently, but we all celebrate it
We celebrate Chanukah to remind with joy. Children enjoy playing with
us of the rededication during the sec- dreidels and eating chocolate gelt. Of
ond century BCE of the Second Tem- course, food is an important part of the
ple in Jerusalem. The legend is of Chanukah celebrations. They may not
the Jews, or Maccabees, who rose up be heart-healthy, but many families
against the Greek Syrian oppressors commemorate the holiday with foods
in the Maccabean Revolt for the abil- fried in oil, such as potato latkes (pan-
ity to practice Judaism freely. After a cakes) and sufganiyot (jelly donuts).
fight using guerilla warfare tactics, the We come together to remember the
Jews won and began cleansing and re- bravery of the Maccabees who fought
building the Second Temple. The gold for religious freedom and the miracle
menorah (candelabra), whose branches of the oil lasting eight brilliant nights.
represented knowledge and creation, Chag Sameach, Happy Chanukah,
designed to burn every night, had only from your Sarasota-Manatee PJ Library
enough oil to burn flames for one night. Family!
The Jews witnessed a miracle as the ol- For more information about PJ Li-
ive oil for the candles kept flickering brary, visit jfedsrq.org/pj or contact me
for eight nights, giving them enough at mgpjconnector@gmail.com. READ—GATHER—GROW

we are FED PJ Library has partnered with The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee
®
to provide families raising Jewish children with the gift of free, high-quality
children’s books, music, and resources that foster deeper engagement with
Jewish life in our community.
Join one of our PJ programs below
to start enhancing your family’s Jewish journey.
Educating Jewish Minds Children 6 mo. - 8 yrs. Children 8 - 12

Sign-up at Sign-up at
our Federation is dedicated to educating Jewish minds — from Holocaust and civil rights JFEDSRQ.org/PJ pjourway.org
Yeducation to Israeli history and advocacy through our Heller CRC, to reaching young children
and their parents through PJ Library, to an array of adult education offerings. We also take great For more information, contact
pride in educating the interfaith community on Jewish history and antisemitism.
Jessi Sheslow
jsheslow@jfedsrq.org
jfedsrq.org • 941.371.4546 941.343.2109
PJ Library Sarasota-Manatee is generously
funded in part by Edie and David Chaifetz.