They arrived as strangers, left as friends

A few months ago, Seth Finkle, director of Camp Haverim and teen programming coordinator for the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, approached area youth groups and regional organizations about holding a Hanukkah event that would promote unity in our extended community.   

Sundown on Saturday, Dec. 17, saw more than 35 children in grades 6 through 12 attend #HanukkahBash, a pre-Hanukkah party, at Temple Beth-El, in Providence. As we embraced the middah (value) of v’ahavta l’reacha kamocha (loving your neighbor as yourself), the nine organizations that planned and executed the event strengthened our potential for future Jewish leadership with engaging programming. Our older participants “gambled for gelt,” played dreidel, and lounged on beanbag chairs (what, do they think this holiday is Pesach?!). Then our Israel emissary, or shlicha, Tslil Reichman, led them in Kahoot, a technology-driven quiz game.  The teens also enjoyed a latke bar featuring items such as taco latkes and dessert latkes, as well as all the gelt and sufganiyot they could handle. We even had a photo booth with several Snapchat filters (ask your kids what that means!). 

Younger kids competed in a contest making hanukkiot out of recycled materials. The winners of all games received Starbucks gift cards.

The success of the party has sparked interest in future collaborative programming. The pre-Hanukkah party speaks to the power of community. As the African proverb says, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Together, we have begun a collaboration that is likely to last.

Participating organizations included USY, BBYO, NCSY, NFTY-NE, PROVTY, CRAFTY, BCTY, Camp JORI and Temple Beth-El.

DAVID PEROLMAN is education director and song leader at Temple Habonim, in Barrington.