Jewish Federation initiative NuRoots is making Hanukkah less lonely this year by providing virtual community experiences for young people in a COVID-friendly way.
For its sixth citywide Hanukkah festival Infinite Lights, the organization is collaborating with community members and local organizations—including East Side Jews, Honeymoon Israel, J.Q. International, Moishe House, OneTable, and Trybal Gatherings—plus their Nazarian Iranian Young Leadership Initiative, to reimagine the holiday with creativity and inclusivity.
Kicking off Dec. 10, Los Angelenos who register can expect eight nights of virtual parties, candle lightings, Shabbats, D.I.Y projects and volunteering opportunities
“We need a little bit of light and a little bit of hope. That’s basically what Hanukkah is all about. I hate to be so Disney-cheesy about it, but that is a key thing of the holiday,” Jason Leivenberg, NuRoots senior vice president told the Journal. “We think it’s really important that we do this through community. It’s one thing to do it by yourself, and that’s great, but we are always trying to find more ways to bring people together.”
“We need a little bit of light and a little bit of hope. That’s basically what Hanukkah is all about.” — Jason Leivenberg
Leivenberg said a major component of NuRoots is “giving people the tools to do Jewish on their own terms.” This year NuRoots is sending out 200 Hanukkah Boxes— filled with locally sourced Hanukkah candles, gelt, luxury candles and olive oil, among other surprises— so people in every pocket of the city can celebrate together while separate.
Also on the docket is their first-night virtual celebration of comedy, music and art. Actress and neuroscientist Mayim Bialik, Tablet editor, and “Unorthodox” podcast host Stephanie Butnick, “Glow’s” Jackie Tohn and comedian and writer Alex Edelman will take the virtual stage along with emcee actor, comedian and beat-boxer Joshua Silverstein.
For those who don’t want to participate in a virtual crowd, Leivenberg says, “We get that” and made sure to include programs people can do independently. On their HQ website, you can find the best meditations and other D.I.Y. content like Hanukkah playlists to dance to while using their recipe guides to make Hanukkah staples like latkes and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts). Participants can also subscribe to NuRoots’ daily email called “The Jam,” where recipes, tokens of inspiration, wisdom and playlists can be delivered right to your inbox.
No matter how you are feeling after all that has happened this year, Leivenberg hopes there is a NuRoots program 20-and-30-somethings can get involved with that can make their Hanukkah a little more special.
“Our whole ethos is, especially in the last nine months has been, we have to show up for the community,” he said. “The goal is to light up people’s homes. We need to bring the energy into this holiday even if we can’t be together in the way we’d like to be.”
To register for the week-long Hanukkah Infinite Light events, click here.
More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.