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Happy Hanukkah—what will your miracle be?

by Danielle V. Minson
My nephews enjoying Hanukkah. Happy Hanukkah to you and yours.
 

Hanukkah started Sunday night, November 28, and at its core it is a story of a miracle —oil every day for 8 days. In the story, Judah and the Maccabees rededicated the temple with a tiny jar of oil that should have lasted only a day. But it burned for eight days until more oil became available—a tiny, but profound miracle.

If we let ourselves see the extraordinary in our lives, we can see that you create miracles every day—365 days a year—with your generosity to the Jewish Federation. Thank you for your generous support.

Hanukkah is also a time for giving. Today, I am asking for your continued support in making more miracles. I ask on behalf of everyone your gift will touch.

The welfare of our community is first and foremost for all of us. In my role I get to see some of those you helped. I know that your help through our Annual Campaign will reach to all corners of our community. I know that our programs and funding have affected people you know.

  • You helped across the gamut, from feeding families at the Jewish Family Service Heldman Family Food Pantry to facilitating trips to Israel for our teens and young adults.
  • Through your help, we also fund or run programs at congregations, from Orthodox to Humanist, and through Jewish outreach outside of congregations.
  • With your help, we advocated for state and federal nonprofit security grants, and the results are impressive. In 2020-2021 alone, 15 of Cincinnati’s Jewish organizations were allocated over $1,607,000 in security grants: to Adath Israel Congregation, Cincinnati Hebrew Day School, Golf Manor Synagogue, the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center, Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati, JVS Career Services, Mayerson JCC, Northern Hills Synagogue, Ohr Torah, Rockdale Temple, Rockwern Academy, Sha'arei Torah, Temple Sholom, The Jewish Discovery Center, and Wise Temple.
  • Our administration of the COVID-19 Relief Fund has also brought over $1.6 million to our community at a time of great need. This collaboration was a real demonstration of our community’s generosity and resilience, and we are grateful to everyone who contributed. In particular, we are proud of the programs funded at Jewish Family Service to combat social isolation:
    • Holocaust survivor support: COVID caused a shortage of home care workers and forced labor costs up significantly. This funding helped restore home care that our survivors desperately needed.
    • Outreach to isolated seniors: loneliness and social isolation increased 20 to 30 percent, and emotional distress tripled, during the pandemic. We identified at-risk, isolated seniors, and we helped.
    • Help to access virtual offerings: Again to fight off social isolation, and build community, JFS provided technology (tablets and data plans) and training to older adult community members so they can better engage with online programming and connect with their families and friends.

Whether a small jar of oil, a beloved class for our seniors, or a webinar on social justice, your support creates everyday miracles. You can further our mission of ensuring a vibrant Jewish future.

What will your gift do?
 

  • Advocate with local and national authorities and law enforcement to implement updated safety measures in Cincinnati, America, and around the world.
  • Enable our more vulnerable seniors to live with greater comfort and dignity.
  • Help thousands of our less fortunate community members who are still struggling to get back on their feet.
  • Create a stronger community and a more vibrant Jewish future.

The holidays are a perfect time to get involved with the Federation and make a small but mighty change in your community. This Hanukkah, I feel your continued support is a miracle in its own right. It allows us to continue providing for the communities and individuals we serve. Like the dreidel says, “A great miracle happened there.” And truly, every day, miracles happen here, thanks to you—our donors.

Happy Hanukkah, and thank you for all you do for our community.

PS: This Hanukkah, as you light your menorah and enjoy time with your family, I ask you to help make miracles today. You can donate here.

PPS: I am proud to share that our Federation was again recognized by the world's largest and most trusted nonprofit evaluator, Charity Navigator, with a four star rating, its highest ranking.
 

Thanks for caring about our community and what we do.

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