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Dear RTFH Family,
As we light the Chanukah candles, it has been a terrible week full of violence in the world. Two people killed at Brown University. Rob and Michelle Reiner murdered. And 15 Jews shot and killed at a Chanukah celebration in Australia.
We face the darkness of a hateful, violent world. That violence is so often directed at Jews. This has been part of our painful legacy – we strive to bring light to the world and are confronted with the darkness of others. Somehow, we still light the candles of Chanukah. Even when chaos and cruelty surround us, we bring our families closer together and light the way.
This Chanukah, I yearn for and celebrate those who bring the light. I celebrate Ahmed al Ahmed, a Muslim man living in Australia for the last 20 years, who wrestled the gun away from one of the shooters and was shot himself, risking his life for strangers.
Just yesterday, we welcomed a new convert to Judaism at the mikvah. Since she began her studies, she has seen antisemitism escalate, but that didn’t diminish her love and desire to be part of the Jewish community and faith.
To help support the Jewish community of Australia, one way to give is through jca.org.au.
This Chanukah, choose to bring light into the darkness and celebrate those who bring the light.
Happy Chanukah,
Rabbi Mark
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