The month of Kislev teaches us that light shines brightest when it breaks through darkness. The Chanukah menorah is placed in doorways and windows not to stay inside, but to illuminate the world around us with hope, warmth, and connection.
As we enter a season framed by Thanksgiving and Chanukah, we’re filled with gratitude for our South Jersey community. During this past month’s SNAP crisis, you showed up with extraordinary compassion – donating food and gift cards, supporting our Mobile Food Donation Site, contributing funds, and volunteering to deliver groceries and meals. Your response created a path forward for neighbors facing sudden uncertainty.
We’re especially grateful to NFI Industries for donating the 48-foot trailer that made our mobile site possible, to Rhona & Sander Cohen and Betsy & Peter Fischer for their matching challenge, and to our colleagues across the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey and its family of agencies, who staffed the truck in hourly shifts, greeting donors and loading food with warmth and dedication.
Over the past month, calls streamed into JFCS from parents, older adults, and families who never imagined they’d need help putting food on the table. Many saw their SNAP benefits suddenly cut off. Some skipped meals so their children could eat. Behind each call was a family doing its best to stay afloat, reaching out with a simple question: “Can you help us with food this month?” At JFCS, we responded with the unwavering belief that no one in our community should face hunger alone.
The Chanukah miracle of the oil belongs to our history, but the miracle of community – showing up for one another – is ours to create today. Many families dedicate one night of Chanukah to giving back, and we invite you to join our Chanukah Hunger Challenge on the fifth night, Thursday, December 18. Instead of exchanging gifts, consider donating food, funds, or gift cards to help nourish struggling neighbors. For a meaningful family activity, explore our interactive Chanukah Scavenger Hunt created by Sara Sideman, Assistant Executive Director at the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey—a fun way to celebrate while teaching children about generosity.
You can also brighten the season by sponsoring a family through our annual Share the Joy initiative. Your support can provide holiday gift cards, food, and essential household items for clients of our Rhona Fischer Family Assistance Program, Holocaust Survivors, veterans, older adults, and individuals with disabilities. A gift of just $25 per person can bring comfort and joy to vulnerable neighbors during the holidays.
Kislev reminds us that even in challenging times, darkness is never the end of the story. Each light we kindle – each act of generosity – brightens our shared future. We thank you for bringing so much light into our community.
Wishing you a holiday season filled with joy, warmth, and abundance,
Melanie Stoopler & Jill Hammel, Associate Executive Directors
