Community Think Tank

By Jonny & Yaacov Welcome to the latest Community Think Tank - an idea-sharing newsletter for Rabbis,

Honorary Officers, Board Members, Administrators and all those involved in building

vibrant and exciting communities.

This year Chanukah starts on the 12th of December. Here are 8 ideas for your

community to help make it a Chanukah to remember.

As ever, if you want more information about any of these ideas or help with

engagement or communications ideas contact Yaacov (Community Engagement

Manager - yfinn@theus.org.uk) or Jonny (Community Marketing & Membership

Executive - jison@theus.org.uk)

Sharing community ideas

Chanukah  Chanukia Crawl

1

You've heard of the Succah crawl, well here is a Chanukahversion from Shenley.  

Each night a different family hosts the 'Shenley chanukia'and invites their neighbours (and any who want to join fromthe community) to join them for candle lighting & snacks . This is a great way to engage members (especially thosewho may not normally light). 

Tip: The Rabbi could bring a box of doughnuts just for thehost family to thank them for their hospitality

Spread the Light

2Chanukah is a great time to engage members in a  SocialAction project, whether it be cooking for a local homelessshelter, to making packages for the police or �re brigade whoare often busy over this time.

US Chesed have some suggested activities and potentialprojects that you can run in your community. For moreinformation email chesed@theus.org.uk

Texas Dreidel Competition 

3 Last year Bushey took the humble dreidel game and elevatedit to the next level.

They held a No Limit Texas Dreidel competition - combiningthe traditional dreidal game with Texas Hold'em poker.

Interested to �nd out more? Get in touch with us and we willpoint you in the direction of the Bushey games master...

Facebook Surveys

4Facebook surveys  are an entertaining way to spark a debate in your community.

Last Chanukah, Borehamwood ran 2 surveys  with some fun results. They posed the questions in a facebook group, 'What is the best Doughnut �lling?' and 

'What do, you dip your latke in - Ketchup or Apple Sauce?' and the community didn't holdback in their responses  

  1) To Set up a survey - click on poll

2) Enter the questions & options

3) This is what it will look like 

Facebook Live YourChanukah Lighting 

5

Facebook Live is a really popular tool that allowsrabbis to connect with membership in an immediateand interactive way.

Rabbi Roselaar in Alei Tzion often 'broadcasts' hisshiurim live. Rabbi Birnbaum broadcast his pre-fastmeal just before Tisha b'av and lots of communitiesused it to share their challah bake or havdallah onShabbat UK

On Chanukah, why not broadcast a lighting live onfacebook and encourage members to join in?

Build a Chanukia 

6

There are two ideas in here.  

1) 'Build a Chanukia' workshop  (for youth or adults): In this activity, teams need to get together to design and build the

ultimate giant Chanukia. It needs to be kosher and work. This is agreat way to teach the laws the of Chanukah.

The Rabbi or Youth Director can choose the winning entry.

2) Facebook(or email) competition:

Last year, Borehamwood did a #ChanukiahSel�e competition wherepeople were encouraged to make unique chanukiot and post themon the Facebook  - The winner got a box a doughnuts. If you don'thave a community facebook group/page this could be an emailcompetition where members are encouraged to email the shul theirpictures, & the of�ce create a collage and send these out to thecommunity 

8 Ideas for 8 Nights

7

Last year Hampstead Garden Suburb, produced 8 minivideos containing a short idea and message from theprofessional staff to the members. This was shared viaemail and on facebook.

There is something beautiful about sharing  a short ideaeach night, for people to consume at their leisure. 

Here are 2 alternatives that can work in smallercommunities 

1) A short idea (writen, video or recorded) by the rabbieach night

2) Ask 8 members to come up with an idea and sharethese each night 

Havdallah Chanuka

Party (for kids) 

8

Jonny Ison - Community Marketing & Membership Executive jison@theus.org.uk 020 8343 5878

Yaacov Finn - Community Engagement Manager

y�nn@theus.org.uk 020 8343 5867

Get in touch:

End Shabbat Chanukah with a musical havdallahand candlelighting in your synagogue. Askparticipants to bring mini musical instruments(e.g., tambourines, maracas, drums) for thechildren to use during havdallah. After havdallah,continue singing Chanukah songs .

The Rabbi lights the Chanukia and the childrenjoin in singing Al Hanissim and Ma’oz Tzurtogether. Children can then do doughnutdecorating. Or simply enjoy some latkes