By Rabbi David Jaffe
On this Rosh Chodesh Tevet we want to express our deep gratitude to you, our community, for showing up so fully for Kirva’s fundraiser this past week and at our 5th anniversary event last Wednesday. Â
157 of you donated to our yearly crowdfunder, helping us reach $18,212.05 in donations, surpassing our goal! Thank you so much for your support, presence, and care. Our work wouldn’t be possible without you.
The war raging in Israel and Gaza is top of mind and heart for many in our community and drives our prayer, organizing and chesed at this time. This particular Rosh Chodesh offers an important symbolic message for this moment. Rosh Chodesh marks the moment of transition from the sky being completely void of a visible moon to the tiniest sliver appearing just at the horizon. Rosh Chodesh Tevet often comes close to the longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and it corresponds to the 6th or 7th nights of Chanukah, evenings when the Menorah is almost completely lit. This juxtaposition of an almost moonless night and an almost fully lit menorah offer a powerful metaphor for this time.  The sky/moon echoes how difficult it can be to find hope right now. The menorah represents human initiative. Light in the universe may wax and wain but we can always create the conditions for the Holy One’s light to shine. Rosh Chodesh Tevet symbolizes the human role in creating light, no matter what the external circumstances. Â
To help generate that light we offer the below spiritual practices to bring into your daily life at this time. May we be inspired to continue creating light with our practice, organizing, prayers and actions for freedom and justice. Â
Chodesh tov,
David