Friend --
As we enter the darkest time of the year, the lighting of the Hanukkah candles is a reminder that all of us have the power to ignite change and banish the darkness.
This Hanukkah, we are excited to offer a few new resources to help drive home that lesson, each offering ways to deepen your involvement in, impact on and understanding of J Street’s pro-Israel, pro-peace, anti-occupation mission.
Dedication, heroics, light, religious freedom, miracles -- these are some of the themes wafting in the air along with the dancing candle flames and scent of frying latkes.
And they are the themes behind these three resources that we hope will enhance your celebration of Hanukkah this year:
First, members of our Rabbinic and Cantorial Cabinet and a few special guest writers have prepared eight readings (kavanot) for each night of Hanukkah designed to prompt reflection as you light your candles. Find them all here (and bookmark the page so you can return each night) >>
Second, along with each kavanah, we are providing eight actions you can take to ever increase the light and goodness of this season. Please consider taking one action per night and perhaps even encourage those celebrating with you -- virtually and in person -- to do the same. The actions are available below each evening's reading >>
Third, we are delighted to share with you our J Street “unfolding dreidel.” It’s not technically a dreidel, so don’t try to spin it. It’s actually what you may recall from childhood as a paper “fortune teller.” But instead of fortunes, it provides questions to stir meaningful conversations with family and friends, as well as actions you can take to advance justice and bring more light to the world this holiday season. Download and print it here >>
Please let us know if you have any questions about using these materials. From all of us at J Street, I want to wish you a Happy Hanukkah. We hope these resources bring additional meaning and joy to your holiday.
- Ruti Kadish
P.S. -- One way you can help spread light this holiday season is with a gift to J Street! This has been a difficult fundraising year, and we’re currently only about 30% of the way toward our critical December goal. Help us continue working for a better future for Israelis and Palestinians. You can make an end-of-year donation here.
