Sign In Forgot Password

Hanukkah: Suggestions for a More Meaningful Celebration 

12/06/2019 10:43:47 AM

Dec6

Hanukkah has traditionally been a time for giving children gifts and gelt. In Eastern Europe, teachers would let children out of school early to enjoy their bit of pocket money and time off during the holiday. Although gift giving has become more elaborate over the years, Hanukkah can also be a time to reexamine how and to whom we give.

The Union for Reform Judaism’s Religious Action Center (RAC) offers ideas on how our celebrations can incorporate social and economic justice. One suggestion is to use the sixth night of Hanukkah to have a family conversation about which charity to donate money to in lieu of gifts that evening, allowing us to redirect our giving and have a meaningful discussion about tzedakah. You can also check out the RAC’s Hanukkah social justice gift-giving guide, with eight different suggestions for eight nights.

March 18, 2024 8 Adar II 5784