Coins Collected in Clever Twist to Holiday Tradition

On Dec 17, the fourth day of Hanukkah, following an all morning Chanukah Carnival, dozens of students at the Wilmette Community Hebrew School will reach a big goal - as in an 7-foot-tall menorah with hollow PVC branches filled to the top with coins they’ve been collecting to be given to the needy.

For the Chabad, the “coin-orah” was a new twist on an annual tradition for the group. The menorah's lighting will mark the 26th time since 1991 that Chabad of Wilmette has ushered in the holiday in a very visible way. In past years, they've crafted menorahs of ice or Legos and built one with cans of food to give to the poor.

“This is what a menorah looks like after everyone has put in their two cents,” joked Rabbi Dovid Flinkenstein, rabbi at the Chabad Center for Jewish Life & Learning. “It's meant to bring the message that one cannot just focus on one's own spiritual life, without caring about others. Helping others celebrate enhances your own celebration.”

The holiday is one of the most popular among Jews, not just because of the time of year but because of what it represents: A monumental struggle and miraculous survival for the soul of Judaism.

Its eight days mark the length of time a one-day supply of oil lasted in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem more than 2,300 years ago. The Syrians had desecrated the ancient temple in hopes of stamping out the practice of Judaism. But the oil lasted long enough for the Maccabees to repair and rededicate the temple. In commemoration of that, Jews around the world light the Menorah as a symbol of light and liberty.

"This Hanukkah, as thousands gather to light the menorah,” said Flinkenstein, “we reflect on the message the torch of Lady Liberty and the candles of the menorah share: The response to darkness is adding in light.
"There are unfortunately people who are dedicating their lives to bringing darkness, as seen recently in New York, Charlottesville, and in Vegas. We need as much dedication to bring light to the world.”

In Jen Kahn's home giving is not something unique to the holiday season. "We teach our children to give tzedakah every day," Kahn said, using the Hebrew term for charity. "But around the holidays it is especially important to remind them to think about others that are less fortunate."

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To find out more information about the Wilmette Community Hebrew School, please call 847.251.7707 or visit chabadwilmette.com/hebrewschool.