For 2024, we are connecting our 7 Jewish Values for Social Action to each night of the holiday (plus a bonus value at the end). We offer the following prompt to guide your daily actions: Hanukkah is associated with the theme of “rededication.” To what or to whom will we rededicate our time, energy, and effort now and in the days to come? We hope these actions will serve as sparks to rekindle our flames and light our way toward justice.

Action: After lighting the first candle, channel inspiration from the affirmation from our Torah that all individuals–including LGBTQ+ people–are a reflection of the divine. Draw, paint, collage, sing, or write a personal reflection about how sacredness is found in all identities. If you’d like, share it on social media.

Action: At the root of “tzedakah” is “tzedek” – justice. Donate to an LGBTQ+ advocacy organization (like Keshet!), or reach out to an LGBTQ+ group in your community to volunteer your time.

Action: Learn how to intervene in situations of anti-LGBTQ+ bullying or discrimination by reading or signing up to get trained in bystander intervention techniques and self-defense. You can also contact your Congresspeople and urge them to stand up for our trans community.

Action: Read up, watch a video, or listen to a podcast on an issue that intersects with LGBTQ+ justice – whether from the lens of race, disability, reproductive justice, or immigration; our struggles are all interconnected, and we are stronger when we work together.

Action: Learn about the laws impacting LGBTQ+ people in your state, add the dates for local elections to your calendar, and contact your representatives to advocate for pro-LGBTQ+ legislation using this tool.

Action: Read, watch, or listen to the story of an LGBTQ+ activist or ancestor, and share their story with others to honor the ways they persevered through challenges. What is one lesson we can learn from queer history and apply to our current moment?

Action: Create and/or display a symbol of Jewish LGBTQ+ pride in a way that is accessible to you–share it on social media, show it publicly, share it with loved ones, or in your personal space as a sign of your support. Here are some options from Keshet to get you started!

Action: Celebrate queer Jewish creativity by sharing a favorite poem, book, song, or piece of art by an LGBTQ+ Jewish creator, and reflect on why it brings you joy.

Review what you created on night one and consider how you can draw on this nourishing energy in the days ahead.

Thank you for bringing more light into the world this Hanukkah.