Chanukah Giving

In my family, Chanukah is a time to navigate and celebrate my interfaith roots and find ways to honor all branches of our family tree. Like a family—and a community—the chanukiyah (the nine-branched candelabrum used for Chanukah) has many branches and ways to add light to the world.

The word “Chanukah” means “rededication,” a nod to the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabees defeated the Assyrian-Greeks and reclaimed the sacred space. This holiday, we can rededicate ourselves to designing a joyful, meaningful, and safe opportunity to “share the light” with others. To add more light in the world, create it with your family by helping others. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Suggestions to Share the Light During Chanukah

  • Connecting with community (kehillah) remains important. Light the candles via video chat with relatives and friends, or join a community candle lighting (find the list at Jconnect.org/chanukah).
  • Counteract the darkness and the cold by gathering with neighbors, calling or writing a relative you haven’t talked to in a while, or connecting with an old friend.
  • Send cards to your local senior living facility—check with them first to see what their parameters are for Covid-safety.
  • Donate to a cause you believe in, and have your child participate in choosing the charity and making the donation.
  • Dedicate one night of Chanukah to tzedakah (righteousness or charity). Instead of buying presents for each other, buy for others.
  • Collect outgrown and gently used warm winter items to donate to others. You can also donate old linens to an animal shelter to be used for blankets.
  • Write a thank you letter to someone you know—be specific about why you are thanking them. Consider teachers, first responders, service members and others.
  • Plan to get involved in the EDCJCC’s December 25th Day of Service; there are myriad opportunities for at-home and in-person volunteering.
  • Stand up for your beliefs like the Maccabees did: write a Letter-to-the-Editor or a letter to an elected representative on an issue you are passionate about.

Show us the amazing activities you’re doing by tagging us on social media: @JewishFederationGW

And finally, continue branching out in your Chanukah celebrations by using Federation’s list of “8 Chanukah Values,” which offers additional ways for your family to Learn * Ask * Do * Read.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington has created a list of “8 Chanukah Values” to offer ways your family can help others in our community. For more on these values and things to Learn * Ask * Do * Read, please visit Jconnect.org/chanukahvalues.

Chag Sameach (Happy Holiday),

Sarah

Additional Resources