The program will be live on Zoom, 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10 and presented by Rabbi Cary Kozberg of Springfield’s Temple Sholom. The program is free.
“Our culture is about diversity. Our faith is thousands of years old and is based on a covenant with God and we want to promote justice and mercy,” Kozberg said.
In keeping with the series’ 2020-20201 theme, the Jewish response to issues affecting the country including the COVID-19 pandemic will also be examined. Like many other houses of worship, Temple Sholom is doing services virtual weekly along with adult education classes.
Kozberg will also address anti-Semitism, the prejudice against Jews and its similarities and differences to similar issues facing our country today.
He’ll also speak about Hannukah, which some mistake as a Jewish version of Christmas. Kozberg clarifies the incident that sparked Hannukah predates the birth of Christ by several years and paved the way for his birth in some ways.
It came out of a small group of Jews who defeated an enemy that tried to cancel Judaism out. Hannukah celebrates the rededication of the Jewish temple and reaffirms the ideals of Judaism. The lighting of a menorah is becoming a familiar symbol of this season right alongside the Christmas tree.
“It’s a holiday that is significant to us and to Christians. If Judaism was canceled, Christ may have never been born and there’d be no Christmas,” he said.
This program actually coincides with the first night of Hannukah, which is celebrated over eight consecutive nights. Kozberg and Temple Sholom will also present a special virtual sabbath service at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18.
Interested people can call Temple Sholom at 937-399-1231 to receive the link to join the virtual service.
Thursday’s program will also include a question and answer session. For more information about how to call in to the program or join the meeting through Zoom, contact Nancy Flinchbaugh at 937-324-7696 or at nflinchbaugh@springfieldohio.gov.
The meeting will also stream live on the City of Springfield’s YouTube channel at youtube.com/user/GATVSpringfield5.
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