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
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