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January 31, 2025

Hanukkah One-Shot

Rabbi Jon Kelsen

Rabbi Jon Kelsen

Dr. R. Jon Kelsen is the Chief Education Officer at Drisha, having formerly served as Dean at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah. He received ordination from Rabbis Daniel Landes and Zalman Nehemiah Goldberg and holds a PhD in Education and Jewish Studies from New York University, which he pursued as a Wexner Graduate Fellow.

Click here to access podcasts recorded by Jon Kelsen.

Victoria Sutton
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Victoria Sutton

Rabbanit Victoria Sutton is on the Judaic studies faculty at the Heschel School and has taught in the Drisha High School Summer Program. Prior to that, she served as the Director of Education and Community Engagement at Congregation Beth Israel, a Modern Orthodox synagogue in Berkeley. She was ordained through Yeshivat Maharat in 2014. A graduate of Barnard College, with a BA in Biological Sciences, she also holds a Grand Diploma in Pastry Arts from the French Culinary Institute. Victoria sat on the board of Jewish Family and Community Services East Bay and was involved with community organizations in New York City focusing on homelessness, literacy, sexual assault and domestic violence.

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Session 1: Insights into Maimonides’ Laws of Hanukkah
In this session, we’ll examine some surprising features of Maimonides‘ masterful Laws of Hanukkah, paying especially close attention to its structure and his description of the miracle which stands at the center of the holiday.

Session 2: Hallel on Hanukkah: A Hassidic Perspective on a Halakhic Enigma
In this shiur, we will utilize halachic sources together with a teaching of Rabbi Yehuda Leib Alter, the Sefas Emes, to explore the unique nature of the obligation to recite full Hallel on Hanukkah.

Session 3: “Sefat Ferah Shoshan (The Lily’s Speech)”: The Life and Teachings of Farha (Flora) Sassoon
In honor of Eid al Banat (women’s celebration on Rosh Hodesh Tevet/Hannukah), we will explore the incredible life and work of Farha Sassoon, an Iraqi philanthropist known for her scholarship and piety.

Session 1: Insights into Maimonides’ Laws of Hanukkah

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Session 2: Hallel on Hanukkah: A Hassidic Perspective on a Halakhic Enigma

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Download Source Sheet

Session 3: "Sefat Ferah Shoshan (The Lily's Speech)": The Life and Teachings of Farha (Flora) Sassoon

Click to open source sheet
Download Source Sheet