Candle 4: Gifting

By Sara Blumenthal

Night 1: Print and use our 'action dreidel'

Our action dreidel (better known as a fortune teller or in some areas a cootie catcher) is a fun way to prompt conversations, reflects and action throughout hanukkah.

Night 2: A Georgia miracle?

J Street is all-in on the Georgia runoffs, and we have a number of ways J Street members can help support Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff.

Night 3: Help illuminate your community with J Street programming

If you belong to a synagogue, contact your rabbi or the head of the programming committee about bringing in a J Street speaker for a panel or presentation on the conflict and peacemaking efforts. Your J Street regional director can provide more information.

Night 4: Speaking of gifting...

This is a season for gifting, and gifts from J Street's store make great gifts for the activists on your list. You can also make a gift in someone's honor and we'll notify them of your generous donation.

Night 5: Invite others to find their inner hero

The J Street National Conference is a place where we here from a number of inspiring leaders and heroic activists. It's also a place where participants can learn how to become leaders in their communities and drive meaningful change. Tonight we encourage you to invite 3 people to the conference (and register if you haven't!)

Night 6: Issues that will require our dedication in the year ahead

In the final days of the Trump administration, PM Netanyahu is moving forward with construction in Givat Hamatos, a move which would severely damage prospects for renewed diplomacy toward a two-state solution. Blocking this act in 2021 will be an important part of our work.

Night 7: Draw inspiration from the Women in Black

In 2000, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which calls for meaningful participation of women in peace and security decision making, and is binding for all UN Member States. In Israel, while not yet robustly represented at the negotiation table, Israeli and Palestinian women have spearheaded anti-occupation and peace work. Read up on the Women in Black fighting the occupation since 1988.

Night 8: Learn from multiple sources and perspectives

Keeping with this evening's kavanot, we invite you to keep an open mind and consume information from a diverse array of sources. Each morning, we try to promote an open conversation, while informing our supporters, through our news roundup email. Consider signing up, or follow us on Twitter where we link to each day's roundup.

Tonight’s theme is gifting — passing our gifts on through the generations.

The poet Lewis Hyde writes, “Whatever we have been given is supposed to be given away again, not kept.” Our gifts are meant to be shared with others for their benefit.

As you light the Hanukkah candles tonight, take a moment to reflect on the gifts that you have been blessed to receive. Who gave them to you? In what ways are you sharing them with the world? How do you want to pass them on midor l’dor, from generation to generation?

May the gifts we impart to those that will live on after us leave a positive mark and contribute to a more just and compassionate future.

Sara Blumenthal is a fourth-year rabbinical student pursuing a Masters in Jewish Education at Hebrew College in Newton Centre, MA.

Eight nights, eight ways to deepen your involvement, awareness and impact

For each night of Hanukkah, we have a recommended activity — a way to learn more about the issues, get more involved in J Street or help drive change. You can do all eight in order, switch them up, or pick and choose what’s most meaningful to you.

Night 1: Print and use our ‘action dreidel’

Night 2: A Georgia miracle?

Night 3: Help illuminate your community with J Street programming

Night 4: Speaking of gifting…

Night 5: Invite others to find their inner hero

Night 6: Issues that will require our dedication in the year ahead

Night 7: Draw inspiration from the Women in Black

Night 8: Learn from multiple sources and perspectives

Candle 5: Heroics

Jessica Jacobs reminds us that no heroes are perfect.