Illuminate Our Community With Your Light
Thank you to our sponsors for bringing light to our community
| The Entire Menorah |
| Steven and Catherine Levinson - $1800 |
| Ahavah | Rachamim | Shivyon...... | Emunah..... | Shamash | Tzedek..... | Hokhmah | Simchah..... | Tikvah..... |
| Nancy and Errol Rubin - $180 | Linda Rose Herman - $180 | Rabbi CJ - $360 | Carol Dickert - $180 | |||||
| Kenneth Weiss - $180 | ||||||||
Hanukkah is a festival born from resilience, rededication, and the power of light in times of uncertainty. When our ancestors reclaimed the Temple, they lit a flame that should not have lasted—and yet it did. This reminds us that even a small spark of hope, learning, or compassion can become a sustaining light for the future.
This year, Temple Emanu-El invites you to participate in a meaningful Hanukkah campaign in that same spirit. Instead of simply giving a gift, you can sponsor light itself—supporting the work our synagogue does every day to foster Jewish life in Hawaiʻi through learning, community, care, and celebration.
Each candle on our menorah symbolizes a core Jewish value—middot (virtues) that guide us as individuals and as a community. When you sponsor a candle, you are not only dedicating a light on our menorah; you are actively investing in the spiritual, educational, and communal future of Temple Emanu-El.
Sponsor an Individual Candle – $180 each
Each of the eight Hanukkah lights honors a value that helps illuminate our world. When you choose a candle to sponsor, you dedicate that value to our community for the year ahead.
|
Candle |
Middah (Virtue) |
Meaning & Impact |
|
1 |
Ahavah – Love |
Support programs that nurture relationships within our community: joyful celebrations, pastoral care, and shared meals that bring us together. |
|
2 |
Rachamim – Compassion |
Help sustain our chesed (kindness) efforts, supporting members who are ill, homebound, grieving, or in need of support. |
|
3 |
Shivyon – Equality & Justice |
Strengthen our commitment to welcoming, accessible Judaism, ensuring everyone—regardless of background, identity, or ability—has a place in our spiritual home. |
|
4 |
Emunah – Faith & Trust |
Support spiritual growth through meaningful services, prayers, and rituals that uplift our hearts and deepen our connection to God. |
|
5 |
Tzedek – Righteous Action |
Expand our social action partnerships across Hawaiʻi, uplifting those in need and building bridges with the wider community. |
|
6 |
Hokhmah – Wisdom |
Sustain our Jewish learning for all ages—Torah study, Hebrew classes, adult education, and vibrant youth programming. |
|
7 |
Simchah – Joy |
Fund the joyous programming that makes our community shine—holidays, music, youth celebrations, community gatherings, and more. |
|
8 |
Tikvah – Hope |
Help nurture the future through youth education, B'Mitzvah preparation, teen engagement, and programs that ensure Jewish life thrives for the next generation. |
Sponsor the Shamash – $360
The shamash is the helper candle, the one flame whose purpose is to ignite the others. Without the shamash, no other light would shine. Sponsoring the shamash honors the work that makes everything else possible—the support that lifts all programs equally.
A Shamash sponsorship helps fund:
-
Staff who build meaningful Jewish experiences
-
Maintenance that keeps our sanctuary safe and welcoming
-
Technology that connects us with those who cannot be present in person
-
The unseen, essential work that brings our celebrations to life
When you sponsor the shamash, you become the light that enables others to glow.
Sponsor the Entire Menorah – $1,800
When you sponsor the full menorah, you dedicate all the values together, supporting the entire ecosystem of Jewish life on Oʻahu.
This gift is an act of bold vision: a statement that Judaism in Hawaiʻi matters—that Torah, community, Hebrew education, spiritual care, youth programming, and vibrant worship will continue to flourish.
A full menorah sponsorship:
- Fuels every area of synagogue life
- Ensures a strong future for Jewish families in Hawaiʻi
- Strengthens a home where all can belong, learn, and grow
Just as the Maccabees rededicated the Temple, your generosity rededicates our community to a hopeful, illuminated future.
Why Your Donation Matters
Temple Emanu-El is more than a building. It is a spiritual home, a center of learning, a place where we grow together, care for one another, and celebrate the richness of Jewish tradition.
Your gift helps:
- Expand programs and classes for all ages
- Support clergy, educators, and staff
- Tend to the needs of members in times of joy and hardship
- Maintain our sanctuary and campus as a beacon of Jewish life
- Build a vibrant and sustainable Jewish future in Hawaiʻi
Light only matters when there is someone to shine it for. Your donation ensures our light continues to burn brightly, illuminating our island community with dignity, justice, compassion, wisdom, and joy.
Let us kindle hope together. Let us be the light.
Chag Urim Sameach