{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Seasons & Reasons: Hanukkah","description":"Speaker: Rabbi Jack Luxemburg, Rabbi Emeritus, Temple Beth Ami, Rockville MD Series: Jewish Enrichment Date: December 18, 2019 Location: Bender JCC, Rockville, MD Hanukkah is a powerful expression of Jewish values at times of difficulty and darkness. This is true whether in terms of the season, critical moments in Jewish history, or during trying times in our personal lives. It is also a popular holiday linked to a complicated narrative rife with unforeseen consequences. Who were the Maccabees and what did they stand for? What did they accomplish? How do Jewish sources respond to them? Why did our sages keep the Book of Maccabees out of the Bible? Learn how the Maccabees, their story, and \u201cThe Festival of Lights\u201d can be relevant and meaningful to us today beyond the simple joys of candle lighting, latkes, \u201cgelt\u201d and gift giving. This is not a \u201chow to celebrate\u201d class; rather, it frames rituals as responses to the human condition, which we benefit from by revisiting each year. ","author_name":"The Haberman Institute for Jewish Studies","author_url":"http:\/\/www.habermaninstitute.org","html":"