611 First Street, Macon, GA 31201
Phone: (478) 745-4571
Email: secretary@csimacon.org
As I write these words, there are a couple of nights left in Hanukkah and (secular) New Year’s Eve is around the corner. So – a few passing thoughts…
1. Milledgeville lighting was big fun! Many thanks to Jack Krapf, Jennifer Baxley, and the terrific guy from the city (I don’t have his name) who helped us out with lighting as well as sound amplification. Nice crowd, good singing! Very impressive support from non-Jewish friends in Milledgeville. And as Tradition guides our tribe to seek out Chinese food on December 25, China Wok Buffet in Milledgeville was just the thing. Plus — we met a lovely Jewish family who live ‘out in the country’ around 20 minutes from Dublin (Corey & Veronica Dorn), two adorable kids. We hope to draw them into our circle soon.
2. Nice Macon lighting on Shabbat evening followed by joint services at TBI. (Side note: aren’t the downtown lights and sound awesome!)
3. An Instagram Revelation — Onion Ring Latkes. Wow. If you haven’t tried them, they’re brilliant.
4. This once-in-blue-moon coincidence of Christmas and Hanukkah makes for an interesting juxtaposition of two different religious ideas shining their light — not only in the intimate spaces of people’s homes, but also in the public square. We get a chance to ponder what America means, what it means to be both part of it all, and also different from the dominant culture. Come to think of it, I’m not just channeling a bit of Norman Rockwell’s ‘Family of Man’ vibe. Imagine the ancient Hasmoneans (around 2,200 years ago), reflecting upon their (violent) struggle with Hellenistic culture, asking us: so what’s it like for you to hold onto your identity amidst the challenges of a dominant culture? So if I beamed a few Macabees over to Middle Georgia for Hanukkah, wouldn’t that make for an interesting conversation?
May 2025 be kind to us, may we remember that each of us has a light to shine, to light the way for others, to kindle some inspiration.