A Chanukah Message from Rabbi Beth Schwartz
For our annual Chanukah issue, we asked members of our community to share why they think it is so important for our Jewish community to, "Shine Our Light Bold and Bright."
This year, as Chanukah approaches, I am thinking of Ukraine. I am especially reminded of the power of Chanukah to inspire hope where freedom is under attack or in danger. It is a shining (pun intended) example of spiritual resistance; just as Jews in ancient times lit candles to remind them of the heroism of the Maccabees under the unsuspecting noses of their Roman occupiers, so our lighting candles in our own time can inspire us to support the people of Ukraine, and elsewhere, who are oppressed.
We, whose history includes persecution and exclusion, are challenged once again to stand up for ourselves, but not only for ourselves. May the lights of Chanukah bring us joy, hope, and courage. Chag Ha-urim sameach!
Rabbi Beth Schwartz is Rabbi Emerita of Temple Israel in Columbus, Ga.
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