Volunteer with the Hand Up Food Pantry
The Hand Up Food Pantry provides food every month to hundreds of individuals and families who are struggling to have enough food to eat. You can help alleviate hunger by conducting a food drive in your school, business, group, or congregation! We’ll provide you with everything you need, including flyers and food bins.

Volunteers are also needed in the pantry to sort through donations, stock the shelves, and assemble food bags for distribution. Two Sundays a month, volunteers are invited to participate in military food distributions. We have many other opportunities in the pantry and in the community for individual and group volunteers. Click here to see the many volunteer opportunities available. To register for volunteer opportunities in the pantry or at military distributions, complete the Hand Up volunteer application. 

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Jewish Value Spotlight: Hanukkah 

Even though the Hebrew word for Hannukah has its root in the word “study,” the actual translation of the word is “(re)dedication.” In the story of Hanukkah, the Jerusalem Temple is re-dedicated by lighting candles with oil that should have lasted only one day, but lasted eight days. Another example of dedication is the ceremony for putting up a mezuzah which is called “Hannukat ha Bayit” – dedication of the house.  

8 Things you may not know about Hanukkah (one for each night) but, now you do!

• There is only one mitzvah associated with Hanukkah and that is lighting the candles each night and that the light from the Hanukkah candles should not be used for any purpose such as lighting up a room.
  
  
• There is no official way to spell Hanukkah in English. There are 16 known possibilities in use. In Hebrew, Hanukkah it is spelled Chet.Nun.Vav.Chaf.Hey. One of the more unusual ways to spell Channukkah is Khanuqa.  
  
  
• We light a Hanukkiah on Hanukkah, which has nine candlesticks — one for each night of Hanukkah and an extra one to light the others, NOT a menorah, which has only seven candleholders. A menorah was the lamp used in the ancient holy temple in Jerusalem — and is now a symbol of Judaism and an emblem of Israel. 

• Hanukkah always starts on the same date ... in the Hebrew calendar - 25th of Kislev. Kislev is the month on the Hebrew calendar that generally coincides with November or December. A year on the Hebrew calendar varies from 353 to 385 days, so the timing of the Festival of Lights (another name for Hanukkah) is always a bit of a guessing game on our regular/Gregorian calendar.

• The most popular way to prepare Hanukkah dishes is to fry them in oil (think latkes, donuts) — inspired by the story of the oil miracle. 

• At one time in our recent past, Hanukkah gelt was real money coins, not coins made of chocolate. Typically, it was the only gift a child would receive for the holiday.
  

• In Turkey, it was customary to collect candle remains from Hanukkah to be formed into another candle that was used to search for leaven (bread) before Passover.

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December 3, 2017 | 9:00am-3:00pm
Doggie Street Festival
This festival is an adoption event bringing together the rescue community with adoptable dogs & cats, a platform to increase adoption and educate on spay/neuter options, alongside veterinarians, pet professionals, trainers, health and nutrition experts to provide information and improved care – all wrapped in a festive public celebration for our deserving companion animals. Click here for more information.

December 3, 2017 |9:00am-3:50pm
Hanukkah Menorah Workshop at Xpressive Arts Center
Paint your own wooden menorah and/or dreidel. Decorate them to make a family treasure or for a gift. Fun family activity for all ages. Cost: $20 menorah $5 dreidel. Click here for more information.

December 6, 2017 | 6:30 – 9:00pm  
Latkes & Vodkas – Beth Israel  
Join the Women of Beth Israel for a fun and festive celebration of Chanukah. Sample latkes, sufganiyot, and a signature vodka cocktail and do a little shopping (gluten free latkes will be available). Open to men and women in the entire community. $18.00 pre-registration, $20.00 at the door. Click here to register.  

December 8, 2017  
National Brownie Day
Is it even necessary to discuss how to celebrate National Brownie Day? It's fun and easy to enjoy this delicious day. Bake a batch of brownies and eat them (don’t forget to share)! You can have them for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or as a snack. Don't forget the glass of milk! 

December 10, 2017 | 11:00am-2:00pm
Hanukkah Happening – JCC
This event is a community-wide extravaganza for all ages. There will be a jumpy jubilee, games, crafts, prizes, arcade, kosher and dairy food, and chance drawings/theme baskets for all ages at great prices! Click here for more information.

December 10, 2017 | 11:00am
Basic Judaism Informational Meeting – Tifereth Israel Synagogue
For most, Hebrew school was a long time ago. Need a refresher? This informational meeting is open to anyone, Jewish or those who may wish to explore Judaism, who wishes to hear more about the plans for this class. This particular gathering will take place in our Goodman Chapel and will last no more than one hour. We anticipate classes will begin in January 2018. Click here for more information.

December 17, 2017 | 6:00pm 
Hanukkah at Del Mar Highlands Town Center
Join Rabbi Kornberg and the Beth Am Choir as they light the 4th night candles on the Hanukkiah at Del Mar Highlands Town Center while the choir sings Hanukkah songs. Click here for more information.

December 20, 2017 | 6:30-8:00pm
Nutrition for Healthy Aging – Beth Israel
Beth Israel’s Men’s Club is pleased to announce that Bridget Wright, MPH will be the guest speaker at the December 2017 Dinner Forum where she will discuss “Nutrition for Healthy Aging”. This will be an excellent opportunity for attendees to learn about good eating habits and how your diet affects your health. This program is open to the entire San Diego Community, both men and women. Temple or Men’s Club membership is not a requirement to attend. A buffet dinner will be served. The dinner fee is $15.00 with an RSVP and $18.00 without registering in advance. Click here to register.

December 28, 2017 - January 1, 2018
San Diego International Auto Show
The San Diego International Auto Show features an incredible variety of new vehicles under one roof, including over 400 vehicles from 40 global manufacturers. The 2017 and 2018 model-year vehicles on display will feature the newest technology to enhance the driving experience, all packaged in luxurious interiors and wrapped in cutting edge designs. Be among the first in the US to see more than 20 debuts or all-new vehicles not yet in showrooms (or just released) that are expected to be on display at the show. When not captivated by the cars, show visitors can participate in exciting, fun new features, family entertainment, and interactive activities. Click here for more information.

December 31, 2017 
Kid’s New Year’s Eve at Legoland
Midnight comes early for families at Legoland, celebrating the New Year together without missing their bedtimes. Legoland re-creates the Times Square ball drop with a giant lego brick falling 22 feet in the air at San Diego's largest Kids' New Year's Eve Party! Join in the festivities with party hats and special glasses for viewing fireworks. The party concludes just in time for our countdown at 6:00pm with a fireworks display illuminating the sky and providing a great ending to an amazing year. Click here for more information.

Every Sunday - House of Israel – FREE!
Visit this showcase of Israeli culture, history, and innovation in the heart of Balboa Park. Click here for more information.

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Handmade Menorah

Materials

• Paper 
• Color utensils
• Scissors
• Glue
• Craft sticks
• Paint or markers
• Toilet paper rolls / paper towel rolls
• Yellow poster board

Save either 8 toilet paper rolls or 4 paper towel rolls that can be cut in half to be used for the candles. Clean off any tissue bits from the rolls and paint them in blue. You can use one shade or multiple – it’s up to you!

When dry, using a paper towel roll, cut it so there is a larger half that can be used as the center shamash candle for your handmade menorah.

After you have done this, it’s time to make the candles. I used craft sticks and yellow poster board for this step. The poster board can be cut into sections to make it easier to work with. Cut the paper into teardrop shapes to represent the flames. Glue the teardrop candle flames to the ends of the craft sticks.

Now you are done making your own handmade menorah! Each night when it’s time to “light” the menorah, place each stick in the center of each roll.

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