Pinwheels

There was a playful addition at the temple Chanukah party tables this year: pinwheels.

While singing songs, playing dreidel, piling chocolate gelt into leaning towers of Pisa and noshing on latkes, some of us also were blowing on joyful pinwheels.

Of course, I had to ask "Why?"  and "Whose idea was this?"  The general answer I received was a simple "I don't know!"

So, since my mind is always on overdrive, I concocted a timely and important reason why there should be pinwheels on Chanukah tables...from now on!

What is Chanukah really? It's a celebration about oil. Even though we were running out of oil, there was enough for eight days and nights. It's a celebration of the miracle of having enough.

Back in those days, society didn't overuse fossil fuels like we do today. The wish for enough oil for eighth days was a humble wish.

Now, we have a society based on oil. And there are many of us who know that it will run out.  We need to be the miracle that fixes our society so we can manage without the abundance of oil that we currently depend on.

So? That's where the pinwheel fits in. It is a reminder of renewable energy and the miracle of sustainability. As a society, we need to put our minds together and see how we can use wind, sun, water and geothermal powers more productively than before. We need to be willing to step outside of our comfort zones to help make space for miracles that will help us have enough (enough whatever!) to continue humanity in a manner that can endure.

Pinwheels for Chanukah. A reminder of our resources. Whoever put them on the Congregation Kehilat Shalom tables, thank you!