With winter upon us and the days getting shorter, two moments call us to pause, reflect, and look forward with renewed purpose: Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, and the arrival of the secular New Year. These observances come from vastly different places. Chanukah is deeply rooted in Jewish history, and the New Year marks a secular turning of the calendar. Yet both invite us to look inward, reconnect, and move forward with intention.
Chanukah reminds us of the courage of the Maccabees, their victory, and the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem. At its heart, though, it is a celebration of spiritual resilience. The small vessel of oil that burned for eight days symbolizes not only a miracle of the past but a timeless message: even a small spark can illuminate great darkness.
As we light each candle on the chanukiah, increasing the brightness each night, we carry this message in our hearts and our actions. In a world that often feels heavy with uncertainty, Chanukah encourages us to create light wherever we can through acts of compassion, through strengthening Jewish identity, and through nurturing our sense of community. This year especially, as our hearts remain with Israel, moments of hope carry profound meaning. Each hostage reunited with their family brings a glimmer of light back into a nation that has endured deep pain and allows us to think about hope, resilience, and rebuilding. It is a powerful reminder that light returns slowly but surely, one candle, one life, one moment at a time.
Though not a Jewish holiday, the secular New Year holds significance for many in our community. It offers a natural opportunity to consider where we have been and where we hope to go. For me, it’s like the self-reflection of the High Holiday season, though in a less spiritual way. It invites us to acknowledge what we have accomplished, where we may have fallen short, and what changes we hope to make in the year ahead.
These reflections do not replace the themes of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, but they can complement them. They offer a subtle second chance to adjust our goals, to renew our commitments to well-being, relationships, and community involvement, and head into the coming months with intention and purpose.
Chanukah and the New Year share an essential theme: renewal. Chanukah celebrates the rededication of the Temple, and the New Year offers an opportunity for personal rededication. Both remind us that meaningful change rarely requires sweeping transformation. Small, steady acts such as volunteering, supporting a neighbor, offering tzedakah, or simply being more present with family and friends can shape a life aligned with our values.
As we move from the warm glow of the Chanukah candles into the secular New Year, may we carry the lessons of the holiday with us. I hope we will nurture sparks of hope, pursue acts of goodness, and continue striving to bring more light into the world.
Wishing our entire community a joyous, meaningful Chanukah and a bright, healthy New Year