There is speculation about the proliferation of the tradition of giving Hanukkah gelt. The now-ubiquitous chocolate coins did indeed stem from a longstanding tradition of giving monetary gifts on Hanukkah. (Incidentally, my three-year-old daughter Lila now assumes that all coins she sees depicted in books or movies are chocolate; she’s had more exposure to that kind than the metal variety).
Some imagine that the tradition of giving monetary gifts on Hanukkah stems from the period immediately following the Maccabees’ liberation and restoration of the Temple; as a symbol of their newly-won freedoms, the Maccabees minted coins to instantiate their political autonomy. Others recognize a tradition of giving monetary gifts to one’s teachers during Hanukkah that spread from 17th century Polish Jewry. And of course there’s the adjacent association to Christmas, which is by no means the only example in Jewish history (or all cultural history) of different cultures influencing one another’s practices. Under this understanding, we give gifts because the broader culture in which we find ourselves associates this season with giving
Regardless, we find ourselves in a moment where gift-giving is one of the ways we commemorate the season of contrasting light-and-darkness. There is the light of the candles dancing in the dark, and, at the risk of sounding overly-sentimental, there’s the light and warmth in our hearts of giving a gift when we know it is meaningfully received.
So let me be clear again: your financial gifts are so meaningful to us.
The alignment of our end-of-year appeal with Hanukkah is a special one. The synagogue relies not only on membership dues to support the community and services we provide, but on gifts. We know how generous this community is. When we put together our budget each year, we know we’re going to need support beyond dues, hoping this community will come through with generosity—and you have, time and time again. Thank you so much for that. It means so much to me personally, as it does for this whole community.
Please, if you are able, give a gift to your synagogue community at this time of year by clicking this link or by calling the office, (215) 922-6590, or by mailing or dropping off a check to Society Hill Synagogue, 418 Spruce Street, Philadelphia PA 19106.
As you’ve read in our communications, it helps with so many features of our budget: it helps make synagogue dues more affordable to people who need support; it helps allow us to offer meals that support community building; it helps hire musicians to enhance our service-going experience; it helps pay for the additional technology needed is this new era of remote access; it helps invest in more teachers in our growing Hebrew School and Playschool; and more.
Thank you so much for considering a gift at this time. Wishing you a warm Hanukkah, in whatever ways you can find that warmth, and a chag urim sameach—a joyous Festival of Lights!
