This week we continue the story of Joseph in Torah and celebrate the lights of Chanukah in our homes fulfilling the obligation to share the warmth of the miracles of the season throughout the world.
Ellen Frankel, in her wonderful book, The Five Books of Miriam – A Woman’s Commentary on the Torah, notes that women play almost no roles in the four-week story ark of Joseph. And while there are some interesting female characters in the Books of the Maccabees, our regular renditions of the Chanukah story are also missing women protagonists.
During this time of year when we focus on welcoming people into the warmth of our communities and homes, we can also remember who we might be omitting from our concerns.
Let us on this coming Shabbat of Chanukah remember those who are still left out. As we rededicate our efforts to maintain Jewish identity, let us also rededicate our efforts at inclusion.
This week we celebrate new members of Temple Beth Zion at Shabbat Services and next week we celebrate inclusion with our Kulanu Shabbat.
Happy Chanukah – may we always remember to include new people at our tables and in our homes,
Jonathan