Tikkun Olam Hanukkah Kavanot

Tikkun Olam/Social Action

Hanukkah 2024 Kavanot

1st Night of Hanukkah: Public Safety

Torah Connection: Pikuach Nefesh – Saving Lives
לֹ֥א תַעֲמֹ֖ד עַל־דַּ֣ם רֵעֶ֑ךָ
Do Not Stand Idly By The Blood of Your Neighbor (Lev. 19:16)

Kavanah: To foster safe and vibrant communities, prioritizing the well-being of all, and equal opportunity for all. Our obligation is not only to help guardrail the means by which people can hurt one another, but to proactively invest in community measures that support human thriving.

As we celebrate Hanukkah, we are reminded of a core tenet of Jewish law: the preservation of human life and dignity takes precedence over all else. Our teachings compel us to act in ways that protect and uplift those arosund us, especially those most vulnerable. The mitzvah of pikuach nefesh (saving a life) calls us to extend a hand to those in need, ensuring their safety, well-being, and opportunity to thrive.

2nd Night of Hanukkah: WIN, Affordable Housing, Homelessness, Anne’s Place

Torah Connection: K’vod HaBriyot/Ensuring Basic Human Dignity is Available To All
כִּֽי־פָתֹ֧חַ תִּפְתַּ֛ח אֶת־יָדְךָ֖ ל֑וֹ וְהַעֲבֵט֙ תַּעֲבִיטֶ֔נּוּ דֵּ֚י מַחְסֹר֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יֶחְסַ֖ר לֽוֹ׃
You must open your hand and lend whatever is sufficient to meet the need. (Deut. 15:8)

Kavanah: To strive for equity and ensure every individual has a place to call home. Our obligation is to meet–and provide for–people’s basic needs, for which stable & dignified housing is included.

3rd Night of Hanukkah: Climate Team

Torah Connection: Shvitat Ha-Aretz/Protecting & Resting The Earth
לְעבְדָ֖הּ וּלְשׁמְרָֽהּ
Sustainable Development (Genesis 2:15)

Kavanah: To preserve and protect the Earth, as it is a sacred trust from God. Our obligation is to recognize that we are but stewards of this precious home, thereby doing whatever we can to safeguard its present and future bounty.

4th Night of Hanukkah: Refugee Team

Torah Connection: Hachnasat Orchim/Welcome The Stranger, Love The Stranger
וַאֲהַבְתֶּ֖ם אֶת־הַגֵּ֑ר כִּֽי־גֵרִ֥ים הֱיִיתֶ֖ם בְּאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃
You shall love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. (Deut. 10:19)

Kavanah: To open our hearts and hands to those seeking refuge and safety. Our obligation is to extend the mitzvah of Hachnasat Orchim, welcoming guests, to those forced to flee their homes and embark on the uncertain journey to stability.

5th Night of Hanukkah: Reproductive Justice

Torah Connection: Shmirat Ha-Guf, Shmirat Ha-Nefesh/Bodily Autonomy/Religious Freedom
לב יודע מרת נפשו
The heart knows its own bitterness (Proverbs 14:10)

Kavanah: To uphold the dignity of every individual by ensuring access to equitable reproductive healthcare, empowering people to make decisions that honor their bodily autonomy and humanity. Our obligation is to ensure our Jewish tradition’s mandate to protect the life and well-being of the pregnant person, and to work for a society that honors their unique voice.

6th Night of Hanukkah: Uyghurs Team

Torah Connection: Lo Toochal L’Hitalem/We Must Not Turn Away
וְעָשִׂיתָ הַיָּשָׁר וְהַטּוֹב בְּעֵינֵי יְהֹוָה
Do what is right and good before GOD (Deuteronomy 6:18)

Kavanah: To Stand Against Persecution/Oppression of Minorities. Our obligation is to expand our concentric circles of care and to not lose sight of those around the world suffering at the hands of others. It is right, good, and Divine, to confront & protest persecution.

7th Night of Hanukkah: Inclusion Task Force

Torah Connection: Barukh M’shaneh HaBriyot /Blessing Diversity
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יהוה אֱלהֵינוּ מֶלֶך הָעולָם משנה הבריות
Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the Universe, who makes creatures different.
Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, m’shaneh habriyot.

Kavanah: To honor the divine spark within every individual and ensure a community of belonging. Our obligation is to create sacred space that notices and provides the particular needs of any individual who enters our community.

8th Night of Hanukkah: Direct Service Team

Torah Connection: Gemilut Hasadim - Acts of Loving-Kindness
גְּדוֹלָה גְּמִילוּת חֲסָדִים יוֹתֵר מִן הַצְּדָקָה.
גְּמִילוּת חֲסָדִים — בֵּין בְּגוּפוֹ, בֵּין בְּמָמוֹנוֹ.
Acts of loving kindness are greater than charity because they can be done either with one’s actions, or one’s money. (Tractate Sukkah, 49b)

Kavanah: To engage in compassionate actions that provide immediate support and care. Our obligation is to tangibly provide sustenance to as many of those less fortunate than us. Internally and externally, we work with our hands and hearts to offer whatever we can.