Bringing Light to Darkness: #OneCandleForChesed (Chanukah 5776)

During this season when days are short and nights are long - when the darkness of violence and destruction threatens to envelop the light of hope and peace, Chanukah comes as a reminder of our power to bring light into the world.  

The darkness of the last few weeks - killings in Paris, killings on American streets, killings in Israel, killings in San Bernardino - bring darkness threatens to swallow up the light. So much sadness. Too many unanswered questions. It's time to affirm that every life is precious. In that way, we can begin answering questions for which there are no easy answers. 


Chanukah presents a chance to dedicate ourselves to 'lighting' One Candle for Chesed (#OneCandleForChesed); that is devoting one night or one day of Chanukah to chesed (lovingkindness) actions that bring more light to a dark world. Perhaps collecting children's books for a shelter for battered families, or sending care packages to Israeli soldiers; or getting involved in advocacy for tenant rights, or campaigning to combat food poverty. 

Here are some 2016 suggestions for #OneCandleForChesed:


SAN FRANCISCO FIRE FIGHTERS TOY PROGRAM
Since 1949, it has evolved from a few firefighters repairing broken toys and bikes for 15 families to, in 2013, 300 firefighters and friends volunteering their time to distribute over 200,000 toys to more than 40,000 disadvantaged children. This year consider joining the Ethnic Doll Drive "because all children should have a doll that looks like them."

GIVE BOOKS FOR CHILDREN IN NEED
Partner with Jewish Women International and Women of Reform Judaism to bring books and comfort to some of the close to 15,000 children who are spending the holiday season in domestic violence shelters. For each $18 contribution, JWI will mail a Hanukkah card to any person you would like to honor, letting them know that they have inspired a gift that’s helping children in need.

SUPPORT REFUGE TO THOSE FLEEING VIOLENCE

Few stories this year have captured global attention like the plight of refugees fleeing their homes – many from Syria and heading to Europe – in search of a better life for themselves and their families. Support the work of Rabbi Ari Hart, of Uri L'Tzedek - Orthodox Social Justice, who was in Greece volunteering last week and raising support for IsraAID (Israel based international aid NGO) that is providing acute medical and psycho-social care to thousands of refugees in Europe. 

ANOTHER CHANCE TO SUPPORT REFUGE TO THOSE FLEEING VIOLENCE AND TURMOIL

Support HIAS (originally founded as Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society). HIAS is leading the Jewish community response to this crisis

GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFEHelp others by giving the most meaningful gift of all – the Gift of Life – by donating blood or joining the National Bone Marrow Registry. Thousands of adults and children need blood transfusions or life-saving bone marrow transplants each year, and depend on matches from unrelated donors like you.

NOTHING BUT NETS 
Help make a great miracle happen there. Join the Nothing But Nets campaign with a simple gift of $10. This gift will provide a life-saving bed net to refugees living in the Horn of Africa who have left their homes to seek safety from drought, famine and conflict.


BECOMING A LIGHT TO THE NATIONSSupport the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL) new project to encourage all Jews to go green in their everyday lives, and ensure that the Jewish community is a 'light unto the nations' on environmental issues. Pledge your support for the campaign, get tips for green living, and learn more this Chanukah.

CHANUKAH READINGSThis Chanukah, share your commitment to social justice with friends and family by using a variety of resources provided by American Jewish World Service


With thanks to the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism for the idea of a social justice guide for Chanukah.