Celebrate Eight Ways to Have a "Kosher" Hanukkah!

Traditionally, Hanukkah commemorates the miracle of hope, renewal, and possibility in the face of adversity.  Oil, found by the Maccabees in the Second Temple after a difficult fight for political independence and religious freedom, lasted eight times longer than expected.  The oil then kept the eternal light aflame.  Hanukkah celebrates that miracle, reminding us that even in the face of despair or seeming impossibility, hope must still burn.  With hard work, perseverance, and community support, justice is within our reach. 
 
In today's difficult economic times, and as we enter the "season of consumption," we can continue to live out our values and work for justice through our actions: through civic engagement, ethical consumer choices, and a focus on personal connections.  In that spirit, JUFJ presents Eight Ways to Have a "Kosher" Hanukkah.  Adapted from our friends at Progressive Jewish Alliance in California, Eight Ways is designed to kindle opportunity and hope for all this holiday season by ensuring that your gifts are "kosher," ethically created, and ethically consumed.  

Just Celebrations  

1. Make sure that your next Jewish celebration is the best it can be: make it green & just.  How?  Check out the second edition of JUFJ’s Green & Just Celebrations Guide, an A-Z resource with 12 chapters of "how-to's” — so no one gets left behind at your next party.

2. What's better than a handful of gelt and cooler than a frozen latke?  JUFJ’s Hanukkah houseparties.  Click here for information about Moishe House Silver Spring’s JUFJ fundraiser this Saturday night, and stay tuned for more houseparties in the new year.

Act for Justice  

3. Support hotel workers' rights!  Union workers generally make 30% more than their non-union counterparts, and the difference is even greater for women and workers of color.  Click here for more information.  When you travel this winter, stay at a hotel committed to honoring workers' voices.  Click here for UNITE HERE's Hotel Guide and find the best union hotel for you. 

4. Join a JUFJ campaign!  Whether it’s Day Laborer Justice, a Fair Purple Line, or starting to plan for our annual Labor Seder, get educated about the issues and add your voice to the many JUFJ volunteers working to make the Washington area more just.  Contact Rabbi Elizabeth Richman to get involved or get more info.

Just Purchases   

5. Buy your chocolate Hanukkah gelt (coins) without guilt this year!  Click here to purchase fair trade, kosher-certified gelt that empowers cocoa farmers in Ghana.  You can also give the gift of a fair trade menorah from Fair Trade Judaica.  Check out their excellent selection of other Judaica items while you're there!  

6. Celebrate a great miracle of energy efficiency with Greater Washington Interfaith Power & Light, which helps congregations of all traditions to save energy, go green, and respond to climate change. Click here to purchase energy-saving lighting and other efficiency products for your home at IPL's online store designed especially for religious communities. 

7.  Shop if you must, but if you do, try to buy ethically-sourced goodies.  Visit Sweatfree Communities' Shop With a Conscience Guide for union-made holiday shopping. 

8. Have a little extra gelt that's not made of chocolate? Consider designating a family "Donation Night" to give donations instead of gifts.  Donate to JUFJ and to other organizations that are making a difference in your community.