Renew, Rededicate, Rekindle Your Programming for Hanukkah 2021

October 25, 2021

By: David Heilbron, Regional Jewish Educator

When thinking of how to celebrate Hanukkah, thoughts may turn to traditional customs like the lighting of candles, eating of tasty fried foods, or the addition of prayers of gratitude and rejoicing for miracles that were brought to ancestors. Or perhaps your thoughts are swirling with Hanukkah beginning relatively early this year – it starts at sundown on Sunday, Nov. 28th and ends at nightfall on Monday, Dec. 6th.

In the midst of this storm of preparations and customs and as we look at a world in 2021 that is very different from past years, we may be thinking of another question (a la Passover) – How can this Hanukkah be different from all others? Rabbi Yehudah Leib Alter of Ger (also known as the Sefat Emet) offers an answer to the question of how Hanukkah can inspire us anew each and every year. The Sefat Emet explains Hanukkah not only as a reminder of the (re)dedication of the Temple (from which the holiday gets its name), but also as an opportunity to renew that dedication. As Rabbi Art Green interprets from the Sefat Emet, “Hanukkah is a time of rededication, making the Temple once again pure enough to be a dwelling-place for God. our inner Temple, too, needs to be dedicated anew to become again the place where God can dwell ‘within them.’”

As we continue to live in a world of transition and uncertainty, perhaps this Hanukkah can be an opportunity to rededicate to ourselves, our communities and our world. While literally cleaning out your ‘inner Temple” may not be the most exciting program, here are some ideas to add a bit of renewal and rededication to your Hanukkah programming!

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Rejuvenate a Bit – Want something a little more low-key this year? Host a self-care night and enjoy a classic Hanukkah movie or TV show (looking at you, Rugrats…) with your community. Sefaria offers a great collection of sheets and resources to spark conversation from Jewish wisdom on de-stressing.

Nourish Yourself – Is cooking or baking your go-to de-stresser? Host a class with your community (or give out kits to community members for an online class) and try out a new recipe. The Jewish Food Society offers tasty treats along with incredible family stories. Maybe even host your own Hanukkah Swap – but rather than gifts, share your own stories and sweet treats with your community.

Make a Commitment – If you are looking to make a head start on some resolutions or (re)newed practices for the secular new year, engage your community in a mussar practice, a traditional way of focusing on quality character development and improvement. Moishe House’s own Rabbi Loren Berman offers a great series of resources and recordings from which to start. Residents – consider applying for a Jewish Learning Series grant and MHWOW Hosts can apply for the Activate Local Learning grant to help get your mussar programming up and running.

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Don’t just host a Hanukkah Party – Host a Hanukkat Bayit (house dedication or housewarming)! Whether it be in your house or online, you can rededicate your communal space and give everyone a role in making it feel like home again. Perhaps a collaborative art project that features contributions from many community members. Or even a Post-It menorah art project where community members can add what they want to bring to the community in re-dedicating it.
Rededicate Your Space – Hanging a mezuzah is also a great way to make a house feel like home, so invite community members to join in hanging yours or to make their own in a workshop. Ask around your local community if there is an artist who makes mezuzahs or use the power of video conferencing to bring in a scribe (sofer/et) to lead a workshop on writing a scroll and see the meticulous work that goes into creating all parts of a mezuzah.
Help Others Renew – Perhaps there is a space in your community that is looking for some renewal. Reach out to a local Jewish senior center or communal home that may want a hand with some mezuzah hanging or would be willing to accept donated mezuzahs from a make-your-own workshop. Don’t forget your Regional Jewish Educators are always here to help with any ritual related events!

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Light Up the World with Justice – As you light the Hanukkah candles, you can shed some light onto the challenges of a world facing injustice. American Jewish World Service (AJWS) offers nightly prompts for reflection on practices you can incorporate to promote a more just world.

It’s Not Just Latkes & Sufganiyot – The story of the Maccabees is not the only story to tell during this time of year. The Torah portion Miketz is read on the Shabbat of Hanukkah and tells of Joseph’s preparations to feed people during the seven years of famine. With this framing, consider running a food justice tikkun olam program and utilizing this resource from AJWS for a text-based conversation connecting the idea of miracles with making change in the world.

Put That Gelt to Use! – Consider swapping out the chocolate stuff for actual currency and host a pop-up giving circle. Amplifier hosts a variety of resources to run your pop-up giving circle (either in-person or virtually) including a facilitation guide. Looking to focus your giving circle experience? There are a wide variety of topic guides including giving toward the continued COVID-19 pandemic, racial justice, innovation, and others.

This season of miracles offers an opportunity to not only remember the miracles that were done years ago but to acknowledge and celebrate the miracle of constant renewal that we are given each day. Chag Hanukkah Sameach!

Residents – looking to kick up your Hanukkah programming? Be sure to apply for a Hanukkah chag (holiday) grant today. The grant application can be found HERE.

MHWOW Hosts can apply to use their holiday budgets, up to $100, on Hanukkah too! The application can be found HERE.

Renew, Rededicate, Rekindle Your Programming for Hanukkah 2021

By: David Heilbron, Regional Jewish Educator

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Need a copy of the blessings for lighting the menorah? Click here!