Lighting up lives during Hanukkah

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This article was published 23/12/2019 (2357 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Hanukkah is extra special for more than 50 Winnipeg households this year thanks to volunteers from B’nai Brith Canada.

On Dec. 15, volunteers packaged and delivered holiday-themed food parcels for some of the Jewish community’s most vulnerable members, including seniors, Holocaust survivors, widows and widowers, and individuals with disabilities.

Sixty homes, which had been identified by Jewish Child and Family Service, received a parcel. Each contained nutritious food items, challah, latkes, homemade soup, snacks, a menorah and candles needed for the holiday, which began Sunday evening and runs until the evening of Dec. 30.

Delivering parcels was fun for sisters Jordana and Diandra Etkin, who are dedicated volunteers in the Jewish community.

“To be able to bring a family food or gifts really helps make a difference in their lives,” Jordana, 34, says. “Whether they’re receiving a parcel because they’re less fortunate or because they’re elderly, I think it’s important that they feel valued and a part of the community.”

Diandra found out about the Hanukkah parcels on social media last year.

“Right away, I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of because I’ve always wondered if the Jewish community does something like the Christmas Cheer Board,” the 31-year-old says. “The packages that (B’nai Brith) give are so amazing, it would make anyone happy.”

For Jay Greenfeld’s family, packaging food parcels has become an important part of the holidays.

He and his wife Ashley volunteer with their children Kaleena, 9; Hymie, 2; and Herschell, 10 months.

“In sort of establishing certain family values and family roles, we wanted our kids to be involved in giving back from the earliest age possible,” Jay, 40, says.

Kaleena has volunteered for a few years. Being actively involved in the packaging and delivery process, and talking about the experience with her parents, has been meaningful to Kaleena, her dad says.

“While she was physically delivering the bags to people in need, she was able to see their reactions and we were able to talk about it,” he says. “She mentioned throughout the year, after she first did it, how often she thought about it. It really allowed her to have a greater appreciation for a lot of other things in life.”

Volunteers delivered 60 food parcels in Winnipeg and more than 1,000 across the country, says Adriana Glikman, national program co-ordinator at B’nai Brith Canada.

“Hanukkah is the festival of lights,” Glikman says. “We want to be able to bring some light to people, so this is our way of doing it.”

Helping out was a no-brainer for Diandra, who says she likes making people happy.

“All I’m doing is driving food to someone’s house, and we all know food is the best thing in life,” she says. “It’s simple and it’s easy, and if I can do it, why not?”

“Everyone’s smiling and everyone’s grateful,” Jordana adds. “It’s intrinsically rewarding.”

If you know a special volunteer, please contact aaron.epp@gmail.com.