Who we are

This Friday, as Rosh Chodesh Kislev arrives, something subtle shifts in the air. The mornings feel wintry, the days are short, yet Kislev has a way of slipping a little light back into our lives – quietly, gently, like a promise. It’s the month of miracles, the month of Chanukah, reminding us that even the smallest flame can change everything.

One theme stands out this time of year: beginnings. The word Chanukah comes from chinuch – dedication, the start of something with intention. It’s that moment when potential becomes purpose.

Look back through history, and you see it again and again: the Mishkan in the desert, the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem, and later, the rededication in the days of the Hasmoneans. Each event marked a fresh start. The tiny cruse of oil, expected to last one night, burned for eight. Light insisting on returning.

And the story continues in our own homes. Jewish law speaks of holding a dedication ceremony when moving into a new home – a Chanukat HaBayit. A home, after all, is a mikdash me’at – a miniature sanctuary. The Divine Presence rests within our souls and, through us, in the homes we create. When our homes are filled with warmth, kindness, and holiness, they become beacons – inner Temples radiating outward, carrying the light of the Temple into everyday life.

And by extension, our community home – our shul – is also a place where we must make room for the Divine Presence. It, too, deserves our renewed dedication and intention. A shul should be a place where not only our members, but all who step through its doors, feel a sense of belonging, warmth, and welcome. Kislev invites us to rededicate our efforts to ensure our communal home reflects that holiness and hospitality.

Kislev invites us to take all this inspiration and make it practical. To refresh one habit, strengthen one connection, or bring a little more light into our daily routines. Tiny actions, repeated with intention, can grow into something that illuminates everything around us.

Wishing you all a Chodesh Tov full of light and miracles.
Rabbi Mendy Vogel