A Motzei Shabbat with Rabbi Marcus and Chickies? What’s better than that? This past Motzei Shabbat, Rabbi Chaim Marcus, the rabbi at Congregation Israel of Springfield and a phenomenal Halacha teacher for seniors at Bruriah High School, spoke to mothers and daughters of the Hillside/Elizabeth community at a melave malka. The event took place at the Adath Israel outdoor location in Hillside, known as Gan Yonina. There was such an outstanding turnout and everyone really enjoyed it. Rabbi Marcus spoke about the topic of finding ourselves in connection to Chanukah. Every year, Chanukah falls during the parsha of either Vayeshev, Mikeitz or Vayigash. In these three parshiot, Yosef is the main character. Yosef faced so many challenges and he needed to figure out who he was. Unlike other chagim, on Chanukah we do not have a mitzvah to eat a meal. For example, on Purim we eat a meal since Haman tried to destroy the Jews physically. However, on Chanukah, the Greeks’ goal was to remove Hashem spiritually from our lives. We need to always find Hashem in our lives while finding ourselves at the same time, just like Yosef did when he was in Mitzrayim. This year, after we light our Chanukah candles, we need to put our phones away and ask ourselves what Chanukah means to us.

This event was the third Motzei Shabbat learning program that Congregation Adath Israel has hosted in a row, to provide learning opportunities for people of all ages in the community. Thank you so much to the Adath Israel youth directors, Alyssa and Yoni Sheer, and to all those who sponsored this event and helped arrange such a successful night of inspiration.