Chanukah
Celebrate Chanukah with CRS
Please check back for Chanukah events.
Night at the Museum Purim
Thursday, March 13
This Purim, the museum comes alive. Step into a magical evening where costumes, laughter, and the story of Esther take center stage among the exhibits. Dress up, join the fun, and let’s make history together!
8 Ways to Be a Light This Chanukah
Volunteer
Commit to volunteering before the end of 2024! Check out New York Cares, a platform that will allow you to sign up for a volunteer opportunity in NYC.
Act
Save the date for Mitzvah Morning on MLK, Jr. Day, January 20, in partnership with Undies for Everyone to provide new underwear for children living in poverty or crisis.
Advocate
Political advocacy is one way we can make large-scale change. Check out the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism’s page on Activism & Advocacy. Choose an issue and write to an elected official.
Learn
Check out this list of 9 Social Justice Books to Read Right Now, courtesy of ReformJudaism.org. Commit to learning more about a justice issue in the world today.
Donate
Take time to talk with your family and friends about causes and issues you care about. What do you wish were different in the world today? Then research an organization that works on addressing these issues and make a financial contribution.
Share
New York Cares is also running a coat drive. Donate new or gently used coats, or purchase a coat for someone in need through their website.
Care
West Side Campaign Against Hunger, a longtime partner of CRS, is on a mission to alleviate hunger in New York City. In 2021, they distributed over 4 million pounds of food. Read more about how they care for all residents of New York City.
Celebrate
Light your Chanukah candles and display them proudly! Ask your neighbors and friends how they are celebrating their winter holidays (Winter holidays are celebrated around the world and by many religious traditions.)
About Chanukah
Chanukah brings us light when we need it most, at the darkest time of the year. An eight-day respite in which we can feel a sense of renewal as we revel in the wondrous light of our chanukiot. We spin a dreidl, sing Ma’oz Tzur, and devour crispy maybe not-too-oily very delicious latkes. As each candle is progressively lit, we take a breath and allow ourselves to gain a little more hope. The darkness ebbs for now. We have made it to this moment to light the lights. We are comforted with the hope that joy is waiting for us and that brighter days are ahead. We celebrate!
Resources
The miracles of Chanukah are reflected in the traditions we carry out over the festival’s eight days. Every year these traditions honor the past even as we are inspired to create new traditions. As we celebrate our victory over cultural assimilation, it is always light that holds the deepest meaning. We light our candles and watch how the light is reflected in the smiling faces of our friends and family and in the window’s glass. Most importantly, we keep that light ever shining and growing in our hearts.
Sholom Sprouts ›
Resources especially for families with children 0–4.
