KA CC Archive Dec 2023

A few weeks ago, during Chanukah, I saw and heard from many people saying “How can it be Chanukah already?  It still feels like Simchat Torah,” as if to say that the world is still perpetually at October 7th or the day after, that we haven’t moved from there.  One friend commented that it doesn’t feel like October 7th anymore, and it doesn’t yet feel like Chanukah.  Rather, it felt like a week or two in between - a perpetual Cheshvan- a month with no holidays, just stuck in time, waiting for war to end or for the next hostage release or for soldiers to at least come home for a break.

Before Chanukah, I heard people ask, “How can we be celebrating right now?” or “I feel bad celebrating right now.” or “I don’t feel like we should be putting so much light out there or bringing attention to ourselves as Jews.”  (Isn’t that the opposite of what Chanukah is about?)  Around the world, people were aghast that public Chanukiyah lightings were canceled, that decorations weren’t going up, or that the big parties that would usually be held, were reduced to smaller get-togethers.

Then, during Chanukah, people were relieved to have a distraction, even in Israel.  Israelis were thankful for a reason to increase the light in the world.  It was an excuse to have a party or make some delicious food for reasons other than bringing something to a shiva home or making sure soldiers were being fed.

Then we came to Christmas time. Israelis would usually go to Haifa and Nazareth to see the lights, just to see something different.  Christmas this year, instead has been taking place indoors. Bethlehem, located in the West Bank, is usually teeming with visitors.  Local leaders, however, decided to scale back their festivities.  There have been no Christmas tree or sparkling lights in Manger Square.  No parade, no musicians.  Churches have been holding their concerts indoors.  

What we are finding instead is that people need that light. People in Israel are being drawn to these events in churches, to weddings, to any simcha, so they can feel like they are part of life in some way. I also have been finding myself, after Chanukah, drawn to Christmas lights in a way I hadn’t been in the past.  I have been seeking out places to see Christmas lights, to see people celebrating.  I have also grasped onto any simcha: dancing extra hard at B’nai Mitzvah parties, singing Siman Tov u’Mazal Tov and Yom Huledet Sameach with extra umph.  Every birthday, every milestone is worth a celebration these days, as a way to help us get to the next event. There’s always that spot in the back of my mind wondering what is happening on the ground in Israel, knowing that there will be a new list of soldiers that we’ve lost during fighting overnight in Israel, waiting for the next bit of news that will once again dim those lights.  

In a few days, we will celebrate the (secular) New Year.  I hope that in 2024, we are able to hold onto whatever light we find.  I pray that that list of soldiers lost does not increase.  I pray that those being held hostage in Gaza return home.  I pray that our celebrations are only celebrations, without the need for light.  May we all have a happy and healthy New Year.