It’s the last night of Hanukkah. It’s my favorite night because the Menorah is full of light. In a darkened room, the lights glow in ways that we don’t often appreciate anymore. Our eyes have to get accustomed to the flickering of the flames and the shadows they cast. Today, we take light for granted. They’re always on. There is no such thing as a dark night anymore. The glow of the city’s light can be seen for miles. Even observatories struggle to maintain darkness around their locations to be sure they can get an unobstructed view of the night sky.

            In a city like Houston, the fourth largest city in America, the lights will always be on. It’s a sign of the times. New homes and buildings pop up everyday to replace ones that are barely 30-50 years old. It’s part of the culture of the west, to be on the cutting-edge and in synch with the undying pioneer spirit. It’s wonderful to live in a city like Houston, where we can live on the brink of everything new and modern.

            But, when we wish to relate to the ancient or even the not-so-ancient, where can we go?  For Jews, history is not only about 200+ short years of American history. To us, history takes us back to our Biblical roots. That’s where we find stories about the past, and insights into our future. To get there we don’t have to do much more than board a plane. In 14 hours, we can be in a place that is, at once, about our rich past and our exciting future.

            In Israel, we can see the remnants of ancient towns and the roots of Biblical events. We can visit the tunnels along the Western Wall that take us back to the time of Hillel, who likely walked on the pavement stones we will walk on, too. We can see the remains of the wars of independence and freedom. We can also see the centers of industry that make Israel a critical leader in technology in the world, today. And, in between, we’ll see that Israel is a vibrant place where Jewish life is thriving in the present.

            On May 30-June 8, 2010, I will lead our Congregation Beth Israel trip to Israel, with chairs Marcia and Mike Nichols. It will be a full experience from north to south, and east to west. It will be political, religious, social, technological, and cultural. Most important, it will be community building for all who attend. Many people have registered for the trip, but there is still room for you. I urge you to review the itinerary and register soon. All the details can be found on our Beth Israel website at www.beth-israel.org. On the lower left hand corner of the home page, click on the “Itinerary and Registration” link. The rest is easy.

            As the eighth night of Hanukkah nears, give yourself a gift you’ll cherish the rest of your life: a trip to Israel. “Next year in Jerusalem,” is not just a saying at the end of the Seder; it’s a hope we can make real this year, right now.

            From my family to yours, Happy Hanukkah and Shabbat Shalom.  

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