Meliss Jakubovic’s Chanukah Message for 2023
For our annual Chanukah issue, we asked members of our community to share their responses.
In the midst of the Israel-Hamas conflict, the parallels with the historical events of Chanukah offer a poignant perspective on the enduring spirit of the Jewish people. The miracle of the oil, which sustained the Chanukiah for eight days instead of one, serves as a metaphor for the unwavering resilience and endurance of the Jewish community throughout history.
In the face of persecution and attempts at annihilation spanning centuries, the Jewish people, like the flickering flame on the Chanukiah, have persisted against all odds. The conflict in the present day echoes this historical struggle, where the Jewish community faces adversity but refuses to be extinguished.
Just as the oil burned beyond its expected duration, the Jewish spirit persists and shines brightly even when it seems that the energy to endure should have been exhausted long ago. This war, similar to the challenges faced by the Maccabees, becomes a symbol of the ongoing struggle for survival and identity… and we will prevail.
The Chanukah story teaches us that a small amount of light can dispel darkness, and in the same vein, the Jewish community continues to stand united, finding strength in their collective identity, perhaps even more so now than ever before. In the face of adversity, the community rallies together, much like the Maccabees did in their quest to regain control of Jerusalem and rededicate the Temple- and we must continue to do so today, every day, and from generation to generation.
Despite the limited energy that one might expect the Jewish people to have in confronting recurrent challenges, we continue to endure and thrive, we continue to pass on our traditions, to come together as a community, and to make babies that will become a link in our growing chain. The Chanukah miracle exemplifies how the light of resilience, determination, and unity can endure beyond human expectations.
If you are feeling defeated or tired or like this is too much to handle, lean in on your friends, family, and the Jewish community around us. We are one big family and should continue to operate as such. That is the only way to cumulatively increase our energy and raise our collective vibration. May you find comfort on this holiday in those you love and find light in the darkness.
Chag Sameach.
Meliss Jakubovic is an online marketing strategist and business growth expert specializing in coaches and healers and she is also Atlanta’s Israeli folk dance instructor.
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