A few weeks ago, as we brainstormed ideas for prompts for this year’s set of Chanukah reflections, one possibility that I suggested was “a far-flung or unusual place where you have lit Chanukah candles.” I had in mind to write about experiences lighting Chanukah candles in Israel and to share the story of the time that Sharon, our kids, and I lit Chanukah candles in a hotel in the middle of Pennsylvania as we stopped for the night on the way to a Bat Mitzvah.
Little did we know that as we all prepared for the first night of Chanukah, our worlds would be shocked to their core by the news, images of videos coming from Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia where at least 15 people were killed in a horrific act of antisemitic terrorism. Jews who had gathered for the peaceful purpose of bringing the light of Chanukah into the world were murdered in cold blood. It is time for the world to understand and acknowledge that we react so viscerally to the phrase “globalize the intifada” because people listen and act accordingly. Words lead to action, and hateful antisemitic words lead to violent acts of antisemitism. Somehow, this seemingly simple message is not getting through to much of the world. But it is time for their ears to hear and for their eyes to be open to the light of our Chanukah candles.
This is in addition to the gut-wrenching video released of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Almog Sarusi, Ori Danino, and Alex Lobanov (zichronam livracha/may their memories be for a blessing) – the six hostages murdered by Hamas in August 2024 – lighting Chanukah candles together in captivity. This propaganda video, made by Hamas but never released, was discovered by the IDF and shared with us with the permission of the families of these precious souls who were taken from us in cold blood. Although it is quite obviously staged, it still gives us a unique insight into the lives of those for whom we prayed, shouted, protested, screamed, demanded, and ultimately mourned. It shows us their living, breathing faces and shows Hersh missing the lower part of his left arm. Talk about unusual or far-flung places for people lighting Chanukah candles.
I must have watched this video’s clips more than 100 times this week, overwhelmed by emotion and captured by two thoughts in particular. The first is the bravery and companionship shown by these incredible people who survived unspeakable horrors together, only to be executed before they could be rescued. The second is that their lighting of the candles and singing of Maoz Tzur redefines what it means for our own Chanukiyah to bring light to dark places. Hersh, Carmel, Eden, Almog, Ori, and Alex were in the darkest of any place on Earth, and yet they brought light, and continue to bring light, to our lives. How much more so must we make that our mission on this and every subsequent Chanukah.
I had one other plan for this reflection, one that is made only stronger and more meaningful by the release of this video. Some of you may recall that Tifereth Israel had a congregational trip to Israel planned for December 2023, which was understandably and correctly cancelled. I have been thinking for a while that it is time to put that trip back on the calendar, and was only further convinced of this by the amazing experience many of us had on the Columbus Community Israel Mission.
So on this, the first night of Chanukah, I proudly share with you that we are launching a Tifereth Israel Congregational Trip to Israel and invite you to join the Skolnik family in our sacred homeland, December 21-30, 2026!! You can see our incredible itinerary by visiting the trip’s website, and registration is OPEN!! So, for Chanukah this year, I hope you will consider giving yourself and/or your family the gift of an amazing experience traveling to Israel with us. All are welcome from near and far, including congregants, family, and friends of all ages.
May the light of our Chanukah candles bring light to those who find their lives in darkness, and may we enjoy precious and sacred time together in Israel next December!
Chag Urim Sameach,
Ral Hillel Selle