8 Ways to Brighten Your Chanukah

Chanukah is a celebration of courage, Jewish pride, and kindling new light in dark times. It is also provides a multitude of opportunities for families to celebrate together. Throughout the month, your family can celebrate these values in eight different ways:

  1. Read books about Jewish heroes: PJ Library offers many biographical picture books about Jews who have made an impact on the world. Read one together and discuss how your family can follow in their footsteps or create your own path!
  2. Go for an evening walk: Find joy in early sunsets by taking a family walk and chat. If you grab a pair of these Star of David specs at one of our many Chanukah events, you can turn all of the lights into Jewish stars!
  3. Collect warm winter items: The most requested item at shelters is good, warm socks. Take the opportunity to purchase new socks, gloves, or hats, and to donate coats that are wearable but no longer worn by your family, and share them with those who need them this winter.
  4. Encourage others to give tzedakah: Peer-to-peer fundraising can be an invaluable tool for sharing what’s important to you and offers an endorsement of an organization to friends who are looking for ways to give back. If you’d like to choose The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington as the recipient of your generosity, there’s a new platform that makes it easy to encourage tzedakah (justice or acts of charity). Try it out today!
  5. Talk about what you would fight for: Just as Judah and the Maccabees fought for the right to be Jewish, there may be values your family is willing to stand up and fight for. Discuss them together and decide to act.
  6. Do something kind but anonymously: An act of chesed (kindness) done for someone else without taking credit is one of the highest levels of tzedakah. Consider dropping off baked goods to someone who needs cheering up, shoveling an elderly neighbor’s walk, or another act of kindness.
  7. Invite someone to celebrate with you: The best way to spread the light of Chanukah is to invite someone to share the holiday with your family. Perhaps someone new to your child’s school or new to celebrating the holiday. Feel free to use the PJ Library Chanukah Hub in your planning!
  8. Light candles for Chanukah: The Jewish Sages taught it is a mitzvah (good deed) to place your chanukiyah (nine-branched candelabrum lit for Chanukah) in a publicly-viewable place, like a window, to share the light at the darkest time of year (Talmud Bavli: Shabbat 21b:8). Learn how to light the candles for when Chanukah starts on December 18th.

We hope these suggestions inspire your family to take joy and pride in being Jewish. If you have more ideas, please share by emailing me or adding to our Facebook post!

Warmly,
Sarah

 

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