People are searching for community.

What can you do to help?

Dear  Friend,

I’m just a candle called Shamash. You probably never think of me, but you see me every year.

Everyone thinks a Chanukah Menorah has 8 candles, one for each night. That’s because everyone ignores me. But I’m right there, on the Menorah.

Shamash means service. My job is to serve. To help you light the other candles. Normally, I keep quiet and know my place. Separate and apart from the others.

But today I need to speak up.  I can’t stand off quietly to the side.

          Shira* is a 9-year-old girl. She loves to learn about her Judaism and traditions. She looks forward to meeting her Jewish friends every Tuesday to study, play, and learn. Then, in one fell swoop, Covid-19 stole her community and her weekly Jewish time.

You can help. You can light up her life. You can be a Shamash. Just like me.

Leah* never missed a Yizkor for her father since he passed. But this year, it looked like she’d miss out on that very special moment of remembering her father.

Then there’s David* who did not know how he would finish preparing for and celebrate his bar mitzvah. His parents want to want to make it happen, but they are at a loss.
 

And of course, the special seniors in our community who are missing visits from their grandchildren and family. Even when they see each other, it’s always at a distance and with masks on.

These wonderful people are feeling lonely, disconnected, and in search of a community, right now.  They need your help.

In today’s “masked” world, you need to smile brighter to make sure other people see. We all depend on real social interaction, community, and friendship. It gives us meaning. It gives us strength. It makes us who we are! 

Your gift will help create community, even in these difficult times. Your donation of $72 -- or any amount – helps make it possible. You can help them smile!

• Due to your gift, there was a wonderfully festive, safe, outdoor public Menorah Lighting, where so many celebrated together safely and a Car Menorah Parade which brought awareness and excitement of the holiday to our community.

• And Your gift will have an impact far after Chanukah because your gift will send weekly Hebrew school packages to children’s homes, create online programs for all ages, forge wonderful memories at Gan Chaya preschool and much more.

You can help. We need to reach Shira, David & Leah. You can light these souls. Click here!

I know that you get a lot of requests, this time of year. I also know what it’s like to be called to serve. It’s not comfortable. And sometimes you wish they would find someone else. But to me, there is nothing sadder than an unlit menorah. So I ask for your help.

You and I are the Shamash. You are called to serve and you step up. I’m asking you to do that today for the sake of these wonderful people and the Jewish community of Pinellas County.
 

          This has been a tough year for all of us, and some of us have it worse than others. You can make sure our community has a strong network of support when they need it most.

None of us fully understands the impact of the pandemic and how our lives have changed. But one thing is for sure. Your love and support will be understood and appreciated by many.

When you send your gift of $72, you will light up their hearts with love, connection, and friendship. You’ll bring Jewish joy to our community and to those who really need a boost.

Please send your gift today so we can be there for them today. You can send your gift with the enclosed envelope, or you can give securely online at yichabad.com/yes.

If $72 is a lot for you right now, any amount will help. If you can give more, please do so. Whatever you can give, please know that whatever you send will be put to good use—every penny.

Thank you for considering my request, and please click here or send your check today.

Light-fully,

Shamash Candle

P.S. Hi, this is Rabbi Pinchas Adler. I hope you enjoyed the message from the Shamash. Please consider a year end gift of $72 (or any other amount) today to help Shira, Leah, David and so many others have a wonderfully vibrant community to connect. You will help them with their loneliness, and with their connection to Judaism that they miss so much. This community needs you to connect to their Judaism, community, and support system.

Please click here to help today!