We Are the Lights

Sometimes it seems like we’re existing through an endless cycle of events that elicit many complex emotions from us.  

Being a Jew in the months leading up to Channukah has been a time of high stress, while we bear witness to and engage with war, trauma, and the rise of antisemitism. 

Humans do not have infinite amounts of energy- our bodies require rest from stress in order to recalibrate and come back to center. 

It can be really difficult to do that in the midst of personal or national crisis- I know personally, it has been a challenge to ground myself in the intensity of the non-stop news cycle. 

It takes intentionality, pause, and presence to remind the body that we can find safe spaces even in moments where we do not feel safe. I often wonder whether or not I’m “running out of steam”- energy to get going at this pace. It’s hard to navigate personal lives alongside everything else we must confront. 

It is currently Channukah and I think that the concept of the little jar of oil that lasted for eight days is an apt metaphor for our moment. 

Sometimes it feels like all we have is a little oil left to keep going. 

In what merit did that little amount of oil continue to light the holy beit hamikdash?

What is Divine presence, faith of the people, love, nourishment, hope?

Even when we are stretched thin by circumstances beyond our control- our mindsets can contribute to our well-being. 

If we take the time to nourish ourselves, we too can keep being lights in the world even under extraordinary circumstances. 

So grateful that you are with us here in our Shvilli community, where we will seek to sustain ourselves through resilience-building practice and emotional regulation to give us strength to keep our heads held high, filled with hope for the future even through this challenging season. 

We are the lights that will brighten the darkness. 

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Write about a time in your life when you had to persevere through a challenging situation.

How did you find the strength to keep going even when it seemed impossible?

What lessons did you learn from that experience about resilience and determination?

How can you apply them to the present moment?