אור חנוכה The Light of Chanukah Dear friends, Chanukah celebrates the miraculous military victory of the Jewish People over the powerful Seleucid kingdom[1]. We celebrate this historic milestone by evoking another miracle – the miracle of light[2], re-inaugurating the Beit-Hamikdash(the Great Temple) and restoring the light of its eternal flame. 235 years after the [...]
The Festival of Succot and the Four Species Dear friends, The Festival of Succot is also Chag HaAsif, the harvest festival, marking the agricultural character of these dates - the end of summer in the Land of Israel, with its consequent last great harvest and the start of the season of rest for our [...]
Kfar Maccabiah, Wednesday, September 14, 2016 High Holy Days 5777 Message Dear Friends, A freezing Central European winter's night, roads, trees and houses blanketed by snow and laced with ice, penetrating the bones and spirits of the men of Luntzitz, the small town illuminated by the wisdom of Rabbi Chaim Auerbach. All were now sheltered [...]
Shavuot, Ruth and the Jewish self Dear friends, During the Festival of Shavuot we read one of the most moving Meguilot of the Writings of the Bible: Megillat Ruth. This is a short book, just 4 chapters. It tells the story of Ruth the Moabite, who, despite having lost her husband in a sudden [...]
Carlos Tapiero rabbi üzenete a Maccabi közösségnek a Jeruzsálem nap alkalmából: Yom Yerushalaim Message Jerusalem, between Heaven and Earth Dear Friends, Probably no word, image, concept or place so instantly excites our Jewish souls as Jerusalem, our ancient, promised City, transformed over millennia of dispossession into a dream and desire, an [...]
Lag BaOmer Message Bar Kochba and Ben-Gurion: FROM INSPIRATION TO ACTION Dear Friends, Military victories led by Shimon Bar Kochba gave the People of Israel nearly 3 years of national independence during 132-135 CE (Common Era); we celebrate that Great Hebrew Revolt on Lag BaOmer (May 26 this year), but it also led to the [...]
יום השואה והגבורה YOM HASHOAH - HOLOCAUST DAY The duty of memory Dear friends, We are a People with a long memory for history. In recalling our redemption from slavery in Egypt 3300 years ago, we celebrated the very act of our birth as a Nation. In joy or sadness, many of our holidays [...]
פסח, חרות והעשייה היהודית-ציונית Pessach, freedom and Jewish continuity Dear Friends, In these days of the Hebrew month of Nissan we direct our hearts and open our arms to receive another celebration of Passover: - hearts, to rejoice in our liberation as a People from the yoke of slavery in Egypt; - arms, cleaning [...]
פורים, הלל, גאולה ומדינת ישראל Purim, Hallel, Redemption, and the State of Israel Dear Friends, Our Sages determined several ways to celebrate our joyous occasions and events as a People. One very meaningful and musical way includes singing Hallel during our happiest Festivities. Hallel is a compendium of six Psalms (#'s 113-118) attributed to our [...]
This December, Maccabi Holland visited Hungary! The team had a chance to visit Budapest's Jewish historical sites, and also visited the Scheiber Sandor Jewish school where they held a joint demonstration and learned about krav maga, wrestling, boxing, and karate. Even though their visit was short, we set aside time to discuss the cooperation between [...]