First night Chanukah

• Were they really heroes who ousted a mighty empire?
• How did they form a dynasty of priests and kings?
• Did they truly rescue Judaism, or rather alter it dramatically? 
• Why did later Hasmonean monarchs come to replicate the Hellenic culture that their ancestors sought to overturn?
• And finally, why did they fall prey to corruption, infighting and even atrocities against Jews and Gentiles alike?                            

Lawrence Joffe, author of An Illustrated History of the Jewish People will answer these questions, leaving some time for discussion – followed by candle lighting, Maoz Tzur and, of course, doughnuts!

Minimum donation £5 members, £10 non-members