This month we celebrate the special Holiday of Chanukah with family and friends. Chanukah reminds us of the story of the Maccabees, the courageous Jewish group who fought to restore freedom and peace to their land. The Chanukah story concludes by telling us about the discovery of the last jug of oil used to light the Menorah in the Beis Hamikdosh— the Jewish Temple. While there was only enough oil to light the Menorah for one day, it miraculously lasted for eight days.
The story of Chanukah teaches us the power of courage— the courage to bring peace, freedom, and hope in our lives and to those around us. It reminds us that wherever we are, we can use our inner strength to make a difference and bring goodness and light into the world. Just as one candle can light up a dark room, our goodness and light can make a difference and illuminate others’ lives. When we commit to goodness, there is no telling of how far we can reach in making a difference. Our acts of kindness and compassion can bring blessing and hope to those around us. The miracle of Chanukah teaches us that we have the power to to bring peace, freedom, and hope in our lives when we come together to share our blessings. We can bring light and blessing to the world, one candle at a time, one person at a time.
At the JAA, we embody the special values and bring blessing to each other by caring for one another with compassion and sharing life’s blessings with our residents, families, and the community. May we continue to uphold these qualities, sharing goodness and blessings with ourselves, our community, and to the world around us.
-Rabbi Dovid Small