Terry Fear sought mindfulness of injustice and God’s expectations that we repair the world

By Ken Turetzky
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On the first night of Hanukkah, Terry Fear brought her menorah to a site across from the federal penitentiary in Terre Haute. She lit a candle and recited prayers in quiet protest as the Justice Department carried out the execution of Death Row inmate Brandon Bernard.

Terry left a menorah with Sister Barbara Battista and fellow activist Abe Bonowitz to light a second candle the next night, as Alfred Bourgeois met his death.

To the end, Terry worked passionately for social justice while serving as a dynamic force in the life of United Hebrew Congregation. She passed away suddenly Sunday, Dec. 13, at age 66, at her home in Charleston, Ill.

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Religious school performs a mitzvah; turkey with latkes loses its luster

By Patty Lewis
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I am pleased to report that with your contributions, Sisterhood was able to help UHC religious school raise $547 for the Vigo County School Corporation Backpack Program.

The Backpack Program provides food for at-risk children during weekends when they have no access to school breakfasts and lunches.

Our students adopted the program as their Mitzvah project for the year.

Thanks to all who donated!

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Let us celebrate a virtual holiday season with more hoping, less moping!

By Betsy Frank
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Is 2020 really the year without holidays?

We celebrated the High Holy Days via Zoom. Thanksgiving and now Hanukkah occur during a partial lockdown. And if you are a part of an interfaith family, as are 71 percent non-Orthodox Jewish families, you probably will miss the family Christmas celebration.

The holidays haven’t disappeared but are certainly different this year.

I had been moping around lately contemplating the fact that Dick and I will not be celebrating with family — that is, until began to reconsider our situation. Technology has allowed to remain quite well-connected.

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Hanukkah reminds us to seek light, and unity, in moments of darkness

By Student Rabbi Caitlin Brazner
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As winter approaches and 2020 (finally) nears its end, it’s hard not to think back and reflect on what’s been. After a year of divisive and polarizing politics, racial unrest and injustice, and a global pandemic that continues to ravage our country (among other issues), I can’t help but think that our season of darkness began much sooner.

This year hasn’t been easy. We feel divided and disillusioned, disappointed and disheartened.

We are entering a holiday season that many of us, due to COVID restrictions, will be forced to spend socially distanced, if not alone. We have spent endless months grappling with big questions and big challenges; that wrestling has left us tired.

And yet, at the darkest (in daylight terms) time of year, our tradition calls for the lighting of candles in celebration of a miracle — a flame that lasted against all odds and provided light when we needed it most.

Hanukkah is a story of hope and renewal, of light and warmth for these coming cold nights.

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