Ilyssa Klein’s Chanukah Message for 2025

Chanukah has always been a special time of year for me. While not the holiest of days, it symbolizes celebration and family togetherness. As a child, Chanukah was always one of my favorite holidays. My sister and I would take turns lighting the menorah and delight in whatever goodies our parents generously gifted to us each night. My favorite night was always the one we spent with our extended family: grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins all feasting on latkes, spinning dreidels, and singing Chanukah songs.

Now, as an adult, it is a gift to be able to carry those traditions forward with my own children. Watching their excitement as they light the candles, recite the blessings, and spend time with extended family just as we did is profoundly meaningful. Through these moments, I feel deeply connected not only to my own childhood but to generations before us, each adding their own layer to this beautiful chain of tradition.

Chanukah is, at its core, a celebration of light — light that endures, light that brings us together, and light that we pass from one generation to the next.

Wishing you and your families a very Happy Chanukah.

Ilyssa Klein is an Account Manager with Atlanta Jewish Times.