Candle 7: The Power of Women

By Cantor Evan Kent

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.

My husband and I have a large collection of Judaica: ritual objects for the Passover seder, a wide assortment of kiddush cups and candlesticks for Shabbat, antique spice boxes for Havdalah and even an heirloom etrog holder for Sukkot. But my personal favorite of all these ritual objects is the silver Hanukkah menorah engraved with a depiction of Judith carrying the severed head of the Assyrian general Holfernes.

The story tells us how Judith served the general some salty food (perhaps some cheese) and he was so thirsty after eating that he drank too much wine, fell asleep and Judith beheaded him. Judith’s story occurred centuries before the Maccabee tale, but the two stories have become intertwined with folk-tales often mentioning Judith as Judah Maccabee’s aunt or daughter.

Historical inaccuracies aside, kindling the Judith hanukiah reminds me of the fearless women who are part of our history. Women named and nameless who have fought tyranny and persecution and the thousands of women who have battled valiantly for Israel’s right to exist.

Cantor Evan Kent lives in Jerusalem where he is on faculty at Hebrew Union College. Previous to making Aliyah, Evan was the cantor for 25 years at Temple Isaiah in Los Angeles.

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 8: Machloket L'shem Shamayim

Rabbi David Jaffe makes machloket l'shem shamayim - an argument for the sake of heaven.