1. Light the Shamash, Say the Blessings, and Consider
The shamash is the helper candle; we don’t count it among the candles which represent the days of the miracle, yet our Hanukkiyah places it highest of all. We cannot complete the mitzvah of lighting the Hanukkah candles without it.
Nearly 14% of Americans—more than 47 million people—face food insecurity. One in eight Americans relies on SNAP benefits to buy their groceries. You might be someone experiencing food insecurity and if not, you probably know someone who has been carrying this often all-consuming burden unseen.
This year, we are called to hold the struggle of 47 million people up to the light and dedicate ourselves to resolving food insecurity, so that we may complete the mitzvah of helping to sustain those who are in need.
Next light the candles.
For more on how to light Hanukkah candles, go here.
2. Sing Songs and Set Your Expectations
After lighting the candles, we sing some Hanukkah songs. This year, we invite you to include “Banu Hoshekh,” written by Sarah Levi-Tanai, as a call to action.
Banu hoshekh legaresh
beyadeinu or vaeish.
Kol ehad hu or katan,
vekhulanu or eitan.
Surah hoshekh, halah shhor!
Surah mipnei haor!
בָּאנוּ חוֹשֶׁךְ לְגָרֵשׁ
.בְּיָדֵינוּ אוֹר וָאֵשׁ
,כָּל אֶחָד הוּא אוֹר קָטָן
.וְכֻלָנוּ אוֹר אֵיתָן
!סוּרָה חוֹשֶׁךְ, הָלְאָה שְחוֹר
!סוּרָה מִפְּנֵי הָאוֹר
We came to drive away the darkness
in our hands is light and fire.
Everyone is a small light,
and together we are a strong light.
Fight darkness, further blackness!
Fight because of the light!
Isaiah 58:10 teaches us, “If you shall pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness.”
How can you emulate the light of the Hanukkiyah this year?
3. Lights, latkes, little spinning tops … & writing letters
After lighting the candles, take a moment to enjoy them. Bask in the glow of the Hanukkiyah, eat some latkes, play dreidel…and write a postcard.
Did you know… that 95% of food assistance comes from federal programs, compared to only 5% from charitable programs?
Join us and our partners at MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger in writing one postcard each night of Hanukkah to call for the protection of the basic needs programs that help 47 million Americans put food on their tables—or gather with family and friends for a postcard party to each write all eight postcards at once!
Together, we’ll send 47,000 postcards—one for every one thousand people who rely on SNAP benefits—to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
This Hanukkah, let’s dedicate our light to one simple message:
No one deserves to go hungry—no exceptions.
Submit a digital postcard here.
Request blank postcards by mail to write your note by hand.
