Chanukah, the eight-day “Festival of Lights” which begins on the night of December 21st, commemorates two aspects of a single miracle: the rededication of a Jewish Temple that was desecrated and almost destroyed more than 2,000 years ago due to religious intolerance; and the celebration of that Temple’s amazing survival, during which one tiny flask of oil found to light the Temple lamp, its “menorah,” lasted not just for one day, but for an astonishing eight days.
Perhaps at this time we can draw renewed strength from the image of the menorah, the eight-stemmed candelabrum kindled each night of Chanukah.
Eight statuesque candles capture our attention. But, behind the scenes, it is the shamash, the ninth candle, that ignites all the others, enabling them to glow with beauty and grace.
So it is with us. The JCCA family ignites hope and light in the hearts of thousands of children and families throughout the year ... and then steps into the background.
Because of people like you — our trustees, donors, volunteers, and all of our supporters — great miracles happen here. And I hope you realize that those thousands of lights would be dimmer without you, a sentiment that is poignantly expressed by a well-known poet in this traditional Chanukah song:
We light these candles For the miracles and wonders Of these days and this season.
Miracles and wonders Performed by human hands Miracles of courageous hearts, Wonders of the human spirit ...
We carry torches on gloomy nights, to illuminate the paths beneath our feet.
That those whose hearts thirst for light will raise their eyes and their hearts to the light to us and come.
Happy Chanukah and a joyous holiday season to all. May 2009 bring health and happiness to you and your loved ones.
Richard Altman Chief Executive Officer
Barbara Salmanson President
Shop/Search for a Cause
And speaking of the holidays, what if Jewish Child Care Association earned a percentage of every purchase you made online? Or, if every time you searched the internet JCCA earned a penny?
GoodShop.com is a new online shopping mall that donates up to 37 percent of each purchase to your favorite cause! Hundreds of great stores, including Amazon, Target, Gap, Best Buy, ebay, Macy's, and Barnes & Noble have teamed up with GoodShop, so every time you place an order, you can support the youth and families we serve.
GoodSearch.com is a new Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half its advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. Use it just as you would any search engine, get quality search results from Yahoo, and watch the donations add up!
Just go to http://goodsearch.com/ and be sure to enter Jewish Child Care Association as the charity you want to support. And, be sure to spread the word!
The Cottage Schools Pleasantville & Edenwald 1075 Broadway Pleasantville, NY 10570
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Chanukah, the eight-day “Festival of Lights” which begins on the night of December 21st, commemorates two aspects of a single miracle: the rededication of a Jewish Temple that was desecrated and almost destroyed more than 2,000 years ago due to religious intolerance; and the celebration of that Temple’s amazing survival, during which one tiny flask of oil found to light the Temple lamp, its “menorah,” lasted not just for one day, but for an astonishing eight days.
And speaking of the holidays, what if Jewish Child Care Association earned a percentage of every purchase you made online? Or, if every time you searched the internet JCCA earned a penny?
