"Shine a Light"

Tonight is the first night of Hanukkah. At the darkest time of the year, we celebrate the Festival of Lights. I have many fond memories of my children’s faces reflecting the glow of eight candles. I have enjoyed latke parties with friends, family and members of the temples that welcomed me as I moved around the northeast and mid-Atlantic. The lights we kindled chased away the winter cold and darkness.

This year, the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires is participating in the national campaign, Shine a Light on Antisemitism, Dispel the Darkness. Its goal is to “champion the message that one small light can dispel darkness and hatred.”

In reality, it is not one small light, but our collective light that dispels darkness. By coming together to demand that every word and act of antisemitism be called out for what it is, we shine a light on an evil that festers in the dark. 

This morning I got an email inviting me to a public menorah lighting. The location was not in the email, available only to those who call or email the sponsor. It may be that they are simply trying to build a mailing list, but it is far more likely that this is a security measure. Publicizing the address would put participants at risk of antisemitic violence.

My temple now has police protection every weekend. It is an expense we can ill afford, but one we can’t afford to do without. It can happen here.   

I did not grow up with this fear. I remember being at a fraternity party at an Ivy League university where they were telling antiemetic jokes. I was uncomfortable, not knowing how to “shine a ight” on their crude antisemitism, but, perhaps naively, not afraid. Now I wonder if those students, now certainly privileged adults, are still telling those jokes, or worse?

I am getting ready to put my menorah in the window. It tells my community “This is who I am.”  I should be able to do that without fear, but that will only happen if all of us “shine a light.”