Thousands of American Jews Came Together to Light Chanukah Candles and Demand a Ceasefire

For Immediate Release
December 8, 2023

Contact:
press@ifnotnowmovement.org

Thousands of American Jews Around the Country Came Together to Light Candles for Chanukah, Mourn the Killing of Palestinians & Israelis, and to Demand a Ceasefire
In New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, and other cities, American Jews joined together in prayer, song, and demands for political action from the Biden administration.
 

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Across the Country — Throughout the country last night, IfNotNow and partners organized thousands of American Jews to gather and light candles for the first night of Chanukah as part of the ongoing pressure campaign to secure a lasting ceasefire. In front of 9-foot tall chanukiahs emblazoned with the word “ceasefire” and banners with “justice”, “safety,” and “ceasefire” written in Hebrew, Arabic, and English, speakers at the candle-lightings called for a lasting ceasefire, full hostage exchange, and a long-term political solution that ensures equality, justice, and peace for all Palestinians and Israelis. Attendees and speakers at the candle-lightings included rabbis, elected officials, and celebrities, like Rabbi Abby Stein, NYC Comptroller Brad Lander, NYC City Council Member Shahana Hanif, LA City Council Member Eunisses Hernandez, and actor Wallace Shawn.

“We gather together to light candles, to pray, to sing, as a community working to bring light amidst this horror — a lasting ceasefire that will end Israel’s brutal assault on Gaza and bring everyone home. That must be the first step towards a political solution that will ensure that every Palestinian and Israeli can live in equality, justice and safety, free from the fear of violence,” said Eva Borgwardt, IfNotNow National Spokesperson who attended the New York candle-lighting that had 700+ people in attendance.

“On October 7th, over a thousand worlds were shattered,” said IfNotNow Los Angeles volunteer organizer Alison Kozberg. “This year, in the midst of grief, despair, and frustration, we are lighting Chanukah candles as a sign. As a promise that we are committed to a just future, that our care for the sacredness of every single human life — Palestinian and Israeli, Muslim and Jewish — will not be dimmed. Gathering together makes the impossible feel more possible.” The LA candle-lighting had 200+ people in attendance.

“For the last 62 days we have been waking up to horrors and going to sleep to more horrors,” said IfNotNow Boston member Miriam Cohen. “Gruesome images of unimaginable violence and human suffering play on a loop across our screens, through our dreams and in our waking minds. We are here tonight responding to God's urgent call that our Jewish elders and ancestors have taught us to cling to: 'tzedek, tzedek tirdof l'ma'an tichyeh, justice, justice you shall pursue that you may live' (Deuteronomy 16:20). Without justice for all there is no safety for anyone.” Over 300 people attended the Boston candle-lighting.

"Tonight is the first night of Chanukah, a festival of creating light amidst the darkness, and it is also the two month anniversary of the October 7 attacks in Israel/Palestine. In keeping with our tradition, we have come together as a community to be that light and to name the sacredness of every life," said Eli Newell, Chicago Field Organizer with IfNotNow. "We mourn all of the Palestinian and Israeli lives lost in the recent violence and in decades of occupation, apartheid and ongoing Nakba. We gather to affirm our shared humanity, resisting desensitization to atrocities of the past and present perpetrated in our name as Jews, and to rededicate ourselves to the struggle for the freedom and safety of all people, Palestinians and Israelis." 100+ people attended the candle-lighting in Chicago.
 

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IfNotNow is a movement of American Jews organizing our community to end U.S. support for Israel's apartheid system and demand equality, justice, and a thriving future for all Palestinians and Israelis.