A sampling of how various Jewish institutions creatively wove Chanukah into their fundraising drives
Rich in metaphor and symbolism, the holiday of Chanukah has traditionally lent itself well to fundraising. With all its attendant discussion of spreading the light, making miracles, and of course Chanukah gelt, it would almost seem to have been created exclusively for this purpose.
Consequently, many institutions have embarked on campaigns during the Chanukah season, with hopes that the forthcoming donations would lead to a modern-day victory of the Chashmonaim and light over darkness. What follows is a sampling of how various Jewish institutions creatively wove Chanukah into their fundraising drives, using imagery, gimmicks, and prizes along the way.
One of the pioneering institutions of Orthodox girls’ education in the United States was the Esther Schoenfeld High School on the Lower East Side. It educated generations of girls — first in a dilapidated structure on East Broadway, then in more adequate accommodations on Broome Street.
The esteemed president at ESHS was Harry Lefrak, a philanthropist of that era who was seemingly involved in every important Orthodox cause. Both Beth Jacob of the Lower East Side and Bais Yaakov of 18th Avenue in Brooklyn are descended from ESHS, and were run for many years by Rav Yisroel Garber, a nephew of Rav Boruch Ber Leibowitz who survived the war years in Shanghai.
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