Meliss Jakubovic's Chanukah Message for 2024

As we light the Chanukah candles this year, I reflect on nearly 27 years of teaching Israeli dance in Atlanta, a role that has deeply connected me to our community. Dance has always been a way to celebrate joy, resilience, and togetherness, even during the most challenging times.

This year, with so much happening in the world; wars, our hostages still not home in Israel, and a general sense of unrest, we are reminded of the importance of pausing to celebrate. One of my mantras is “there is always something to celebrate” because we don’t need an excuse to be happy and bring joy to others. Life is fleeting, and time moves faster than we expect, so it’s essential to pause and acknowledge the miracles, both big and small.

The Atlanta Jewish Times has been a source of light for our community for 100 years. That’s a century of sharing stories, building connections, and celebrating our identity. What an incredible accomplishment! Thank you for being a steadfast staple in our lives, keeping us informed and united through the years.

Chanukah is not just about the candles, it’s about the light we pass on to others. It’s about the collective spirit of a community that comes together as one big family. So let’s cherish this Atlanta milestone and continue to celebrate, because when we do, we bring hope and warmth to the world around us.

Cheers to 100 years of openly celebrating Chanukah in Jewish Atlanta, and here’s to many more!

As we come together to celebrate this season, let us also send prayers for the safe return of all hostages and peace for our extended family in Israel and around the world. May the lights of Chanukah inspire us to bring hope, warmth, and kindness to one another and to the world.

Meliss Jakubovic is an Online Marketing Strategist and Atlanta’s Israeli folk dance instructor.