When I was a child, we had a Chanukah book about how every candle in the box wanted to be picked as the shamash, the helper candle whose job it is to light all the others.

Back then, picking the shamash was about which candle was the prettiest colour, but today I look back on that book and see very Jewish themes of community, volunteerism, and hope in times of darkness. 

It is no coincidence that Chanukah takes place when it is darkest, literally.

Not only do we light candles in the evening and at the darkest time of the year, but during the darkest phase of the moon. The mitzvah or commandment of Chanukah goes beyond simply lighting candles, we share the light with others and our tradition is to increase it nightly. This is only possible thanks to the shamash, the candle that goes first and whose light is active, not passive.

This Chanukah is also a dark time emotionally, with the massacre of Jews celebrating the chag at Bondi Beach just earlier this week, and the arrests today of three Toronto men. Our advocacy agent, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) issued this statement.

As we see antisemitism becoming increasingly normalized and feel a visceral need to strengthen our Jewish connections, we don’t have to look too deeply to see the message that the shamash holds for us.

We might not be able to defeat darkness, but we can bring light.

Each candle in the box has the potential to be a shamash, just as each of us can step forward and bring our own light to community. At its core, what makes a community thrive is up to each of us as individuals choosing to take an active role. There are concrete steps we each can take, and they’re easy to do.

Pick an organization you care about and volunteer with them.

Our Federation has over two dozen beneficiary agencies, partners, programs, and events, all fueled by your UJA gift, that need an extra pair of hands, and there are others, too. Whether you’re canvassing for the UJA, helping with event registration, or welcoming some the 10,000+ people who visit the Israel pavilion each year at Heritage Festival, you make a huge difference to organizations that help our community thrive.

Just show up.

Attend a community event and bring your friends and family. Community is comprised of individuals who care about being part of something bigger than that which any of us can create on our own. Yet half the trick of building community is simply participating, so count yourself in, not out.

Give tzedakah with kavanah (intention).

Count yourself in for collective giving, too. This is more than a slightly shameless plug to make your UJA gift, if you haven’t already. Ultimately, if we don't take care of each other, no one else will. People sometimes tell me that they prefer to give directly to particular organization. I always encourage them to do that and to make a UJA gift, just as my family does. Why? Because when someone needs help from one organization, they typically need help from several. Your UJA gift is the only way to impact the broad spectrum of local needs and strengthen community as a whole.

Plan your long-term support.

You can ensure that our community remains strong for future generations by establishing a fund at the Edmonton Jewish Community Charitable Foundation (EJCCF). It is a simple, thoughtful way to express your values and extend the support you already give during your lifetime. Whether you leave a bequest in your will, establish an endowment fund, or list the EJCCF as a beneficiary of your life insurance policy, legacy gifts can be modest, meaningful, and fully compatible with caring for the future of your family. There can be significant tax benefits for you, too.

Tonight, all around the world, we will join our global Jewish family in lighting Chanukah and Shabbat candles that symbolize our courage, resilience, and dedication to our most cherished values. As you reach into the box and pick the shamash, rededicate yourself to shining your light across our community.

Shabbat shalom and chag Chanukah sameach.

Becky