Norwich bulletin., 1913-12-30

Monday was the final day of the feast of Channukah, or feast of lights, in the Jewish calendar. Under the Auspices of the Sons of Zion there was a pleasant gathering in FOreSterS' hall Sunday evening, and the signifi- cence of the feast was explained to about 200 children. There were many parents present also Gifts and good things were distributed among the children. L. Sachner. nasi of the or der, presided, and there were remarks by Rabbi Max Stamm. Charles Levine, . student at Brown university, Herman Alofsin, 2d. and Charles M. Gordon.
 MT. Alofsins address explained in detail the significance of the occasion and was addressed especially to the children. In his opening remarks he voiced his support of the Zionist move nfent and while he was speaking a child came forward and presented him a Zionist flag. He spoke in part as follows:
 This is the season of merry holiday for many people, and we Jews are proud to celebrate the feast of Cham nukah, for which we have gathered here tonight. And with as much en- thusiasm and happiness ought we to celebrate Channukah as we do our Fourth of July, which observes the in dependence of the American cOlonists from English rule and the birthday of the American republic, and not only because we have freedom from political oppression here but also because Channukah marks our spiritual inde- pendence.
 We do not celebrate Channukah to talk about the wonderful battles Judas
 iaccabee won from the syrian. We are not concerned with the glorious achievements of a war hero. This is not a feast of hero worship, but 1t IS, as the name Channukah shows, the ,ol olCl,, ,lf 6o holy temple of God. The important thing we are to remember is that Judas victory was one for God, and that the God of the Jews was tri- umphant. Let us notice here that ali our important holidays do not empha- size any one particular person, but that above all our God is praised. Passover does not glorify Moses as the deIiVerer, but God. So Succoth does not sing praises for Moses who led his people through the wilderness, but the God who gave the cloud of fire to show the way. And SheVuOth does not glorify Moses, the law giVer, but God, the father of all men. While our neighbors are celebrating the birth of Jesus the man-GOd, we rejoice in the victory of the one God over idOlatry, of spirituality over irreliSiOn, in the deIiverance of the Jews from the hands of the Syrian OppressOr. Channukah lights shine forth from every Jewish home as silent witnesses to the deVo- tion of those who died for their re- ligiOn and their God.
 The legend connected with Channu- kah and one that you all know is not wonderful as a story but rather be- cause it shows the true spirit of Israel. The story runs that when the Syrians had eXued and kept out the Jews from Jerusalem. the holy city. where Gods temple was being defiled by the pagans, that Judas Maccabee, together with his army of brave soldiers, with their faith in God and praying to Him, de- feated the enemy and succeeded in re- turning to Jerusalem, where the tenn pie was cleansed and made ready for rededication. Then it was found that there was but enough oil in the temple to burn but one day, and that it would take the priests of the temple eight days to secure the new pure beaten olive oil. but the God of Israel did not forsake his servants. and the oil burn ed until the new supply could be se- cured. While we understand the char acter of the legend. yet we see in it 6 wonderful truth.
 Perhaps it is unfortunate that Cham nukah comes so close to so important d holiday to our Christian friends. be- cause there is danger that we Jewish boys and girls, and our Jewish par ents, may forget our feast of Channu-