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Two weeks ago I took Hanukkah in a Box, the JCC's Hanukkah education program, to my daughter's primary school. As I was checking in, the school receptionist Lisa said "I heard that Hanukkah is late this year - I don't remember it ever being on Christmas before!" I told her that it is an unusually late Hanukkah and added, "Hanukkah is always during the new moon closest to the winter solstice, so it's always on the longest, darkest nights of the year."

Tears welled in Lisa's eyes. She said, "That's just so beautiful. And in this moment, after all we've been through with the hurricane..." Her voice trailed off. She wiped her eyes and said, "bringing light on the darkest nights. It's just perfect. And in my tradition, we believe that Jesus is the light of the world." Her eyes welled again as she said, "Thank you for sharing. I really needed to hear that today. There's so much we can learn from one another when we're different."

 

Through Hanukkah in a Box, JCC volunteers and staff took dreidels, menorahs, books, and music to 14 public elementary schools across Buncombe County, reaching 1,510 children plus their teachers and administrators, like Lisa. Hanukkah in a Box serves a dual purpose of helping Jewish students see their traditions represented in winter holiday school celebrations, and introducing people of other faith backgrounds to the Festival of Lights. 

 

The JCC’s outreach efforts mean even more when we consider the bigger picture – the region in which we live where Jewish people are an ultra-minority and this moment in time where some use differences to divide. In our hearts, we know that fostering meaningful person-to-person connections has the power to build understanding between people and cultures. At the end of the day, when we see our differences as opportunities to connect deeply, we have the power to light the darkest nights. 

~ Ashley Lasher, JCC Executive Director



Thank you for considering the JCC in your year-end giving, which will support programs like Hanukkah in a Box in 2025. Your donation to the Asheville JCC builds bridges through authentic connections.

 
 

The JCC is more than

just a dreidel —

it's the light of connection.


Donate Today!