Thursday, December 7th thru Friday, December 15th
This should be a joyful time of year. Chanukah is a time for light and celebration. But it’s hard to feel joyful right now as we grieve so many lost lives and watch the Israeli military’s brutal bombardment of Gaza escalate.
Yet Chanukah is also a time of miracles — of light shining through horror, even when it feels impossible.
That’s why we’re launching a national Chanukah for Ceasefire week of action, starting this Thursday, December 7 and lasting all eight nights.
(Can’t see an event near you? Check back tomorrow — we’re adding new ones throughout the week!)
As we light our candles and sing and pray, we’ll be calling for a lasting ceasefire — because we know that every single life is sacred. When we call for a lasting ceasefire, we mean an end to the siege on Gaza; freedom for all those being held captive; and a commitment to equality, justice, and peace for all Palestinians and Israelis.
Our movement for a ceasefire is growing. 66% of Americans and 80% of Democratic voters support a ceasefire, and at least 60 members of Congress have publicly called for it.1,2 That's a direct result of public pressure and organizing.
It’s on us to keep up the pressure — because this moment is urgent. This Chanukah, we light our candles in memory of over 16,000 Palestinians killed by the Israeli military. We light our candles in memory of the 1,200 Israelis killed by Hamas. We light our candles for the thousands of Palestinians injured and facing starvation and illness, for over 1.8 million Palestinians in Gaza forcibly displaced. We light our candles for the hostages still captive in Gaza, the Palestinians held by the Israeli military without trial, and all of their families waiting anxiously, desperate for their release.
Join a Chanukah for Ceasefire action near you — check out our map of events right now.
Together we say: If not this Chanukah, then when?
We need as many people as possible at our candle lighting events — so that means we need you. If you’re a longtime IfNotNow member, we can't wait to see you again. And if you haven’t taken action before, now is the perfect time to join the Jewish movement for a lasting ceasefire.
See you in the streets, IfNotNow team - About IfNotNowMovement
Sources: 1. Data for Progress, Voters Agree the U.S. Should Call for a Ceasefire and De-Escalation of Violence in Gaza to Prevent Civilian Deaths / 2. Working Families Party, Ceasefire Tracker