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Community Think Tank By Jonny & Yaacov Welcome to the latest Community Think Tank - an idea-sharing newsletter for Rabbis, Honorary Officers, Board Members, Administrators and all those involved in building vibrant and exciting communities. This year Chanukah starts on the 12th of December. Here are 8 ideas for your community to help make it a Chanukah to remember. As ever, if you want more information about any of these ideas or help with engagement or communications ideas contact Yaacov (Community Engagement Manager - [email protected]) or Jonny (Community Marketing & Membership Executive - [email protected]) Sharing community ideas Chanukah Chanukia Crawl 1 You've heard of the Succah crawl, well here is a Chanukah version from Shenley. Each night a different family hosts the 'Shenley chanukia' and invites their neighbours (and any who want to join from the community) to join them for candle lighting & snacks . This is a great way to engage members (especially those who may not normally light). Tip: The Rabbi could bring a box of doughnuts just for the host family to thank them for their hospitality Spread the Light 2 Chanukah is a great time to engage members in a Social Action project, whether it be cooking for a local homeless shelter, to making packages for the police or re brigade who are often busy over this time. US Chesed have some suggested activities and potential projects that you can run in your community. For more information email [email protected] Texas Dreidel Competition 3 Last year Bushey took the humble dreidel game and elevated it to the next level. They held a No Limit Texas Dreidel competition - combining the traditional dreidal game with Texas Hold'em poker. Interested to nd out more? Get in touch with us and we will point you in the direction of the Bushey games master... Facebook Surveys 4 Facebook surveys are an entertaining way to spark a debate in your community. Last Chanukah, Borehamwood ran 2 surveys with some fun results. They posed the questions in a facebook group, 'What is the best Doughnut lling?' and 'What do, you dip your latke in - Ketchup or Apple Sauce?' and the community didn't hold back in their responses 1) To Set up a survey - click on poll 2) Enter the questions & options 3) This is what it will look like Facebook Live Your Chanukah Lighting 5 Facebook Live is a really popular tool that allows rabbis to connect with membership in an immediate and interactive way. Rabbi Roselaar in Alei Tzion often 'broadcasts' his shiurim live. Rabbi Birnbaum broadcast his pre-fast meal just before Tisha b'av and lots of communities used it to share their challah bake or havdallah on Shabbat UK On Chanukah, why not broadcast a lighting live on facebook and encourage members to join in? Build a Chanukia 6 There are two ideas in here. 1) 'Build a Chanukia' workshop (for youth or adults): In this activity, teams need to get together to design and build the ultimate giant Chanukia. It needs to be kosher and work. This is a great way to teach the laws the of Chanukah. The Rabbi or Youth Director can choose the winning entry. 2) Facebook(or email) competition: Last year, Borehamwood did a #ChanukiahSele competition where people were encouraged to make unique chanukiot and post them on the Facebook - The winner got a box a doughnuts. If you don't have a community facebook group/page this could be an email competition where members are encouraged to email the shul their pictures, & the ofce create a collage and send these out to the community 8 Ideas for 8 Nights 7 Last year Hampstead Garden Suburb, produced 8 mini videos containing a short idea and message from the professional staff to the members. This was shared via email and on facebook. There is something beautiful about sharing a short idea each night, for people to consume at their leisure. Here are 2 alternatives that can work in smaller communities 1) A short idea (writen, video or recorded) by the rabbi each night 2) Ask 8 members to come up with an idea and share these each night Havdallah Chanuka Party (for kids) 8 Jonny Ison - Community Marketing & Membership Executive [email protected] 020 8343 5878 Yaacov Finn - Community Engagement Manager [email protected] 020 8343 5867 Get in touch: End Shabbat Chanukah with a musical havdallah and candlelighting in your synagogue. Ask participants to bring mini musical instruments (e.g., tambourines, maracas, drums) for the children to use during havdallah. After havdallah, continue singing Chanukah songs . The Rabbi lights the Chanukia and the children join in singing Al Hanissim and Ma’oz Tzur together. Children can then do doughnut decorating. Or simply enjoy some latkes
