Ner Shel Tzedakah - Pursuing Justice on the 6th night of Hanukkah

Tonight is the sixth night of Hanukkah – which has been called Ner Shel Tzedakah (Candle of Righteousness). Ner Shel Tzedakah is a program to raise public awareness and educate the Jewish community about poverty. On the 6th night of Hanukkah, we encourage families to teach their children about the needs of those less fortunate and donate the value of the gifts they would ordinarily exchange (or the gifts themselves) to local or national organizations assisting the poor. In addition to Temple’s ongoing social justice efforts, like our congregation’s Hamotzi Project (which supports the local food pantries) here are a few items to consider in making your family’s Ner Shel Tzedakah commitment for the 6th night of Hanukkah – Wednesday, December 16.

NOTHING BUT NETS (www.nothingbutnets.net)

It’s the perfect time to give a child a wonderful gift that will last through the holiday season and for many years to come - a protective bed net to keep them safe from malaria. Imagine what the global economic recession means to the world’s poorest, for whom a single mosquito bite can be the difference between life and death. It only costs $10 to send a net and each net saves lives in Africa.

MAZON – A Jewish Response to Hunger (www.mazon.org)

Each year, MAZON grants over $4 million to more than 300 carefully screened hunger-relief agencies, including emergency food providers, food banks, multi-service organizations and advocacy groups that seek long-term solutions to the hunger problem. MAZON (“food” in Hebrew) believes its dual purpose is to provide for those who are hungry today and to address the systemic causes of hunger and poverty, both domestically and globally. Although grants are provided to many organizations serving the Jewish poor, in keeping with the best of Jewish tradition MAZON believes it is important to respond to all who are in need.

Ronald McDonald Family Room (www.qualityoflife.org/ronald)

The Ronald McDonald Family Room at Memorial Hospital is a safe, affordable home-away-from-home for families of seriously ill children. Families draw support from each other, and from the caring volunteers who help them through a truly difficult time in their lives. In the Ronald McDonald Family Room, families can relax, take a quiet moment and a deep breath in a warm and comfortable environment that the medical world does not enter. Our Family Room is approximately 2,000 square feet with three sleeping rooms, two baths with showers, a laundry room, a fully equipped kitchen, a library and, of course, a family room. The Family Room relies on the generosity of the community for monetary donations, goods, services, and for the countless hours of volunteer time. There are certainly similar facilites in other communities as well!

Hanukkah is our traditional celebration of religious freedom. As we recall the victory of the Maccabees against an overwhelming foe, so too do we consider how we can be champions of freedom, goodness and peace on behalf of all people everywhere. I hope your family will participate in Ner Shel Tzedakah – whether on this 6th night of the holiday, or one of your choosing. I would love to know of your contributions – of time, finances and volunteerism – in honor of this effort. Together, we can make each night one dedicated to perfecting the world.