The Jewish Federation Connecting with Community presents Exploring (and Exploding) the Myths of Chanukah with Rabbi Jan Caryl Kaufman, a certain-to-be thought provoking class about the much loved but incompletely understood Festival of Lights.

How did a story about a priestly family of religious zealots evolve into a cruise of oil lasting 8 days in the newly rededicated Temple?  Rabbi Kaufman will examine documents recording the historical evolution of the story of Chanukah from the most contemporaneous - the Books of the Maccabees to the writing of the historian Josephus - to the Midrash and the Talmud.  Participants will explore how this story was narrated and developed over at least five centuries.

Rabbi Kaufman recently celebrated her 30th year of ordination as a Conservative Rabbi.

This free program is part of the Federation’s Connecting With Community Series and will be followed by a kosher hot lunch. Lunch is a $2 suggested donation for adults over 60 years of age or $7 for all others. Advance reservations are required for lunch and can be made by calling (413) 442-2200 before 9 a.m. on the day of the program.