A Light That Does Not Look Away

As Hanukkah begins tonight, I join with Jewish neighbours in marking these days of light.

In a world that continues to fracture itself into deeper darkness and antisemitic hatred, the welcoming of light doesnt feel sentimental, but necessary.

There is something about watching the first candle of the menorah being lit. It never tries to change the whole room. It is simply a small light doing what light does—steady, honest, unafraid of the dark that still surrounds it. And even that quiet beginning shifts something in us.

This year, with fear and sorrow touching Jewish communities close to home and far beyond, that single flame feels especially needed. When people we care about are hurting, we carry some of that night with them. That, too, is part of how love works.

May the lights of these nights meet all those who gather to mark this moment gently. May each flame remind us that hope can begin small and still change the feel of the room. May the stories your family carries find space to rest, and may this Hanukkah bring peace, unexpected joy, and a light that keeps growing night after night.

חנוכה שמח
Chanukah Sameach

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