Posted on December 19, 2025 by Rabbi Noah Diamondstein
Dear Temple Beth-El,
I am so excited to celebrate my first Chanukah Shabbat with all of you, and to take part in the Consecration ceremony for our newest learners in our religious school! Tonight is going to be so full of joy and light and love.
The lights of Chanukah have been dimmed by violence this year. We will acknowledge that as a community, and then respond the way the Jews always have: by bringing more light into the world. We’ll start tonight’s service by meeting this moment with the solemnity it deserves, before allowing the lights of our Chanukiot to lift us out of darkness and into joyous celebration. I hope to see you all, Chanukiot in hand! (I will also share that at tonight’s service I have a very special and exciting announcement to make about an incredible opportunity coming down the pipe toward you all.)
In moments of pain like these, we must respond with pride in our Jewish heritage and tradition. No matter what the hateful might say, we know what we are all about. There is an opportunity to act on that pride, and I hope you’ll take it:
This Sunday, at 4:30 p.m. at the Hillsborough Municipal Complex (at 379 South Branch Rd., Hillsborough) will be hosting its public Chanukah Menorah lighting. The Cantor and I will be leading the event, which will feature favorite songs and candle lighting. We have reached out to other faith communities in our area in the hopes that they will attend and stand with us in the public square. Show them, each other, and our whole community that we will not be silenced! That we will still stand proudly as Jews, as people who belong! Please, please, come and give our community a good showing!
Before we all go our separate ways for Winter vacations and the like, I hope you’ll use this weekend to engage with all that’s going on here at TBE.
Shabbat shalom, and Chag Urim sameach,
Rabbi Noah Diamondstein
