The holidays looked quite different this year – thanks to COVID-19, but that didn’t stop the Women of KI (WoKIs) from celebrating the Hanukkah season with Eight Crazy Nights of COVID-friendly fun! Instead of their traditional Hanukkah dinner get together, the WoKIs ZOOMed their annual celebration. A holiday gift bag holding all the supplies needed to celebrate was assembled and delivered by Chanukah Harriet before the candle was lit.
The first night was dedicated to virtual volunteering for Project Linus, a Belton charity that collects and distributes blankets to children in need. The material included in each bag was enough to make one blanket. Ladies logged on for a live demonstration and insight into the organization.
On the second night, reservations were made for a Souper Shabbat. Participants were gifted with a large cup, a cup of soup, and tea-light candles for Shabbat. On night three, we enjoyed a virtual game night where we discovered who was most likely to “Make a Match.” On the fourth night, KI held a virtual congregational worldwide candle lighting to connect with friends near and far. Our fifth night, winners of Babes playing Bingo received delivered prizes. The sixth night challenged our ladies’ “going green” creativity. Participants were given five items they had to incorporate into a DIY menorah to reduce, reuse, and upcycle. WoKIs hosted Cocoa and Quizzes on the seventh night, where four lucky ladies won prizes for their extensive trivia knowledge.
The week ended on the eighth night, where we shared a toast in a virtual happy hour, or what we like to call Joyful Minutes, and stories of our own family and friends. It was a time of support, and we shared what’s happening with us emotionally and spiritually while we are on this new journey together.
In the end, we discovered we all crave social interaction, but a coronavirus quarantine isn’t precisely the best way to cater to it. Celebrating Eight Crazy Nights with one another helped those of us who were struggling with feelings of loneliness and isolation to connect with friends in our community more creatively.
