Daily Buzz | Hanukkah, Christmas, and Winter Events Upcoming
Daily Buzz | Hanukkah, Christmas, and Winter Events Upcoming
And, more discussion expected on electronic sign on the Common
Good Morning, Burlington!
Another week is upon us, and that means we are a week closer to Christmas, and to Hanukkah, and to the solstice and New Years and everything else that brings us deeper into winter so we can emerge on the other side in the spring.
A few items of interest came to me late last week that I wanted to highlight for you today.
Free Hanukkah Gift Bags for Children
First, Temple Shalom Emeth will be handing out Hanukkah gift bags to children living in Burlington and adjacent towns. Created with the intention of ensuring all Jewish/partly Jewish children feel proud of their roots and included in the general holiday spirit, these bags will contain a dreidel (a four-sided top), Hanukkah crafts and activities, instructions on how to play the dreidel game and how to recite the Hanukkah candle blessings, and home readings.
From Rabbi Susan Abramson:
Hanukkah is a minor Jewish holiday, but it has been greatly elevated in its significance because of its proximity to the Christmas season…Hopefully this gift bag will provide kids with fun activities as well as a little knowledge about the meaning of the holiday.
Hanukkah is an eight day holiday which celebrates the Jewish Maccabbees’ defeat of the Syrian Greek army in the first century BCE in ancient Israel. After restoring their holy Temple in Jerusalem after it had been desecrated by the invaders, the story goes that they found a little jar of oil which miraculously burned for eight days. This, together with the belief that the Jews celebrated the eight-day holiday of Sukkot after they regained the temple, are both reasons why the holiday is eight days.
Like many other familiar holidays, such as Chinese New Year, Easter, Ramadan, and Passover, Hanukkah follows the lunar calendar, which is why the exact dates change each year. This year, Hanukkah begins on December 18 and goes until December 26.
The Temple will also be hosting a community-wide Hanukkah party on December 18, from 10:30 AM to noon and will be lighting the Hanukkah menorah in front of the temple every night of Hanukkah at 6:30pm.
If you’re interested in obtaining these Hanukkah gift bags, please RSVP to Valerie Jacobs by tomorrow, Tuesday, December 13!
Live Nativity
The United Church of Christ Congregational will be holding a live nativity on December 24, from noon until 2:00 PM. Take a look, take a picture, or drive by. If you or your family/friends would like to take part, or if you’d like more details, call or text Deb Raymond at 857-373-9156.
Winter Activities at the Library
In addition to the dozens of activities available at the library always, here are a few winter/holiday activities you or your loved ones may enjoy:
From now until December 23 - Help Grow the Grinch’s Heart: Some local businesses in Burlington will have Max the Grinch's dog hanging in their windows from December 5 - December 23. These businesses will hand out pieces of the Grinch's heart to children. Children will then bring the hearts back to the Burlington Public Library for a prize!
12/14 at 4:00 - Hot Cocoa Ornaments for teens
12/22 at 4:00 - Hanukkah Story & Craft
Today in Burlington
Meetings and Events
5:30 PM - Zoning Bylaw Review Sign Subcommittee meets to discuss town center signage guidelines and the article. If my memory serves, this will be where they discuss the electronic sign proposed by the Select Board to be installed on the corner of the Town Common at Bedford & Cambridge Streets. (Join online)
6:00 PM - Select Board has some recognitions on the agenda for the DPW and Fire department. They also are expecting to approve early and mail-in voting for the 2023 election, the 2023 SB meeting schedule, various license renewals, and the warrant articles for the January 2023 Town Meeting. (Join online)
6:30 PM - ISSAC will discuss the ongoing implementation of the town cybersecurity policy. (Join online)
Sports and Events
There’s nothing on the sports calendar today, but get ready for a very busy week ahead.
That’s enough for today! I’ll see you tomorrow. Happy Monday, Burlington!
Nicci
HG channel did a tour of the White House with the First Lady last night. She pointed out that there is a first one now part of the decorations. Watch to see what it is.