A Message for This Chanukah

[Actors Temple Information]

A Message for This Chanukah

Dear Members and Friends of The Actors' Temple:

 

This Chanukah, following the terrorist attack in Australia, we have a choice, just as Judah Maccabee and his followers had a choice: to dwell in fear or to reject it.

There is a vital message for this Chanukah which comes from Judah Maccabbee – that fear is the enemy. 

The Torah teaches that we create what we fear. And it's the same message that FDR gave to the American people in 1933 during the Depression, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." It's also what Moses said to Joshua and all the people before they entered the Promised Land, "Do not fear!"

Let's take a new path this year, as the path of fear never works. Let's trust. Let's go forth with faith and not with fear, as my beloved teacher of blessed memory, Rabbi Gelberman taught: that F.E.A.R. stands for False Evidence Appearing Real.

What happened in Australia was real. What we imagine for the future is not real.

Let's decide to create joyful holidays for ourselves and those we love. Let’s feel Divine Protection, goodness, and happiness all around us. Let's feel the joy of the Holiday season as we buy presents for each other and gather to celebrate.

Let's spread our light and our joy!

Happy Chanukah!

From 

Rabbi Jill Hausman

And All of Us at The Actors' Temple