We light for the Jews of Sydney

I’m not going to show you that video.

I’m not going to tell you the details of the news.

The situation in Sydney at Bondi Beach is evolving; the injured, the de*d.

A mass casualty event at a Chanukah event - Jews running for their lives, bodies and bl**d everywhere…

It’s too familiar. Too sickening. Too outrageous. Too expected.

I wish that people believed those who say they are going to k*ll us.

But I don’t want to talk about the failings of governments and politicians and the successes of movements fueled by h*te, either.

Chanukah is not the holiday of “joy.”

For us it’s not twinkle lights and mistletoe.

It’s about the moment we choose rebellion against pers*cution.

It’s about holding onto our identity as a liferaft against those who would wash us away.

And taking brave steps to cling to our history, our nation, our tradition, and our God.

So tonight on the first night of Chanukah we light for the Jews of Sydney.

We light for all of us, who are rising this wave of antisemit*sm even though it makes us sick.

We light so we can come together and remind each other we are not alone.

May God keep us safe all over the world this Chanukah.