Marni Bekerman’s Chanukah Message for 2025

As a parent, Hanukkah gives me a chance to show my kids what kindness looks like in everyday life. The holiday reminds us that even a small light can grow stronger, and I want them to see that their actions can do the same. When they watch me speak kindly to others, help someone who needs support, or take an extra moment to be patient, they learn through my example — not just my words. Like the menorah that becomes brighter each night, I hope they learn that kindness grows when we keep practicing it. Even small choices like sharing toys, saying thank you, including a friend — teach them that they have the power to brighten someone’s day.

Giving back during Hanukkah is another way I try to nurture this in them. I volunteer with The Sandwich Project, where every Wednesday volunteers make sandwiches for people experiencing homelessness or food insecurity. It’s simple work—bread, ingredients, and caring hands—but it matters. There are people in our community who are hungry, and sharing our blessings is one way to show them they are not forgotten. When I involve my kids, even in small ways like packing bags or talking about why we volunteer, they begin to understand that generosity is not about being older or having more; it’s about caring enough to help.

I want my children to know that not everyone has a warm home, a holiday meal, or a family gathering full of laughter. When we share a meal, offer kindness, or give our time, it can bring real comfort to someone who needs it. To me, that is one of the miracles of Hanukkah — not just the oil that lasted eight days, but how small acts of goodness can last longer and reach farther than we expect. If my kids grow up seeing kindness as something natural, something we do without hesitation, then I know I’m passing on the values that matter most.

Marni Bekerman is the Middle School Program Manager & Alumni Coordinator at The Epstein School and owner of Marni Mahj.