Recustom

Our hearts and minds are with the victims of the Los Angeles fires--and those working to keep people and homes safe. In times like these, we turn to the power of prayer: "God of nature and the universe, shelter those who are suffering with fear and loss. Keep our loved ones and community members safe from nature’s heat and devastation, and keep their sacred homes intact. Send healing to those who are suffering, and renewal to those who have lost. Blessed are you, creator, who has the power to protect and repair."

A shehecheyanu for the first shabbat of 2025. 🕯️🕯️ Thank you universe for allowing us to celebrate this first night of Shabbat in 2025. May this new year bring peace, love, and understanding to our community and beyond. Shabbat Shalom!

Tonight, on this first day of 2025, we dedicate our final and eighth night of Hanukkah to new beginnings. A new beginning is a fresh start, a chance to try again, or to set new goals. It’s about letting go of the past and stepping into the future with courage, optimism, and a sense of possibility. Every new beginning brings a chance to learn, grow, and do better. Hanukkah is not only a celebration of the past but also a time for renewal. The rededication of the Holy Temple by the Maccabees symbolizes a new beginning—one that restores faith, joy, and a connection to the divine. Each new candle lit on the menorah is like a new opportunity to start fresh and add more light to the world.

Tonight, on New Years Eve and the 7th Night of Hanukkah, we dedicate our night to hopefulness. Hopefulness is the belief that things can get better, even when it seems like they won’t. It’s about having faith in a brighter future and trusting that challenges can be overcome, no matter how hard they seem. Hope is the spark that keeps us going, even through tough times. The miracle of Hanukkah teaches us about hope. When the Jewish people faced great challenges and the Holy Temple was desecrated, they never lost hope. They fought for their beliefs and prayed for the miracle of the oil, which lasted much longer than anyone expected. Their hope and faith kept the light shining, even when it seemed impossible. Happy New Year AND Happy Hanukkah! May 2025 be a year of joy and hope.

It's the last day to make your tax-deductible year-end gift! When you donate to Recustom, you support our mission to spread hope, support our community, and help make the power of Jewish rituals more accessible for all. Your donation, no matter the size, is an essential part of this work—and with the year ending, now is the perfect time to make your impact. Help us continue to create a space for people to discover and create Jewish rituals by making a gift today: https://hubs.ly/Q0306cqv0

Tonight's Hanukkah dedication: Joy (Simcha) Joy is a deep feeling of happiness and gratitude. It’s about appreciating the good things in life and sharing that happiness with others. Joy is contagious—when we are joyful, we inspire others to feel joy too. Hanukkah is a time of celebration and joy. It’s a time to come together with family and friends, to share meals, stories, and laughter. The joy of the holiday isn’t just about the presents or the food—it’s about celebrating the miracle of the oil, the strength of the Jewish people, and the light they continue to bring into the world.

As a nonprofit, Recustom depends on donations from users like you. When you donate to Recustom, you help us bring meaningful Jewish rituals to those who are searching for more. Your generosity ensures that every person who wants to honor life's meaningful moments, no matter their background, have the tools and resources to create meaningful rituals with joy and connection. Your gift helps provide the resources to light the menorah, play dreidel, share a festive meal, and embrace the beauty of Jewish traditions–or to create new unique rituals. Make a gift today to help us ensure those who want to access Jewish rituals can: https://hubs.ly/Q0305Nwp0

Tonight we dedicate the 5th night of Hanukkah 🕎 to Freedom (cherut). Freedom is the ability to make choices, to live without oppression, and to be your true self. It’s about having the opportunity to follow your heart and dreams. Jewish Tradition: In Jewish history, freedom has always been a central theme. Hanukkah celebrates the freedom the Jewish people gained when the Maccabees defeated the Greek rulers and rededicated the Temple. Freedom is also a major theme in the Passover story, when the Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt.

Tonight's Hanukkah 🕎 dedication: Miracles (Nisim) A miracle is something extraordinary or unexpected that happens, often when we least expect it. Miracles remind us that the world is full of wonder and that anything is possible, even when things seem impossible. The miracle of Hanukkah is the story of how a tiny amount of oil lasted for eight days, far longer than it should have. This miracle showed the Jewish people that even when things seem impossible, there is always hope. It’s a reminder that sometimes the greatest miracles are the ones that happen quietly and without warning.

Our Hanukkah 🕎 dedication for night 3: Generosity (Nadivut) Generosity is about giving without expecting anything in return. It’s about sharing what you have—whether it’s time, love, or material things—because you care about making someone else’s life better. Generosity is a key value in Jewish tradition, and it’s especially important during Hanukkah. The tradition of giving tzedakah (charity) during this time encourages us to think about those who might need help. Hanukkah reminds us that even in times of joy and celebration, we should not forget those who are less fortunate.