Reform makes Chanukah plea in malaria fight

December 2, 2008

NEW YORK (JTA) -- The Reform movement is encouraging its members to dedicate one night of Chanukah to a charity project to fight malaria.

The Union for Reform Judaism is calling on American Jews to take part in the Nothing But Nets campaign, which provides insecticide-treated bed nets to Sudanese refugees as part of the global fight against the mosquito-transmitted disease.

The URJ already has raised more than $250,000 for Nothing But Nets, but is asking its members to use one day of Chanukah to give $10 donation gift cards to friends and family to help reach the movement’s goal of $500,000.

“Nothing But Nets allows parents and grandparents to teach their children the importance of saving a life by giving the gift of life,” said Rabbi Marla Feldman, the director of the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism. “Give a gift that will markedly improve the living conditions of a family of Sudanese refugees -- and do it in honor of loved ones.”

This article was made possible by the support of readers like you. Donate to JTA now.