Share a Night of Chanukah

Posted/updated: December 05, 2011

Many families have the custom of exchanging gifts on each night of Chanukah.  This year, we hope that you will consider “giving” one night of Chanukah to a charitable organization.

We suggest the 7th night. On December 26, your family would give tzedakah rather than spend that amount on gifts.

We have sent home instructions with two candles to our nursery and religious school families.  You can choose a candle color of your choice and do the following to join this worthwhile effort to help others.  Place your candles in the 7th position (one for the 7th and one for the 8th night) as a symbol of your “gift giving.”

Each family member may select his/her own tzedakah recipient or you may decide as a family to combine “gifts” into a single contribution. 

If you don’t have an organization in mind, here are some suggestions:

Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
The RAC is Reform Judaism’s social justice lobbying arm in Washington, D.C.

Metropolitan Council for Jewish Poverty
Met Council is the first line of defense for the needy in our community.

Avodah: The Jewish Service Corps
Avodah engages young adults through a yearlong fellowship in service and community building.

Doe Fund
The Doe Fund’s programs help homeless and formerly incarcerated individuals achieve permanent self-sufficiency.

Susan’s Place
Susan’s Place is dedicated to serving homeless women with a broad range of health care and social services.

Donors Choose
Browse project requests submitted by public school teachers and pick one that inspires you.