We have entered the new Hebrew month of Kislev in which our days are short, and our evenings are long and dark. This Hebrew month encases the holiday of Hanukkah. This is a holiday that invites the light into the darkness and gives us accumulated strength as we celebrate the holiday for eight days. Each subsequent day we add one more candle to the illuminated ‘Hanukiya’ (which is not a menorah yet resembles one). The menorah is a cherished Jewish symbol of the seven branched candelabra which was used in the Holy Temple of ancient times.

The ’sevivon’ the Hebrew word for dreidel is the spinning top. It is a symbol that we play with and spin around during the holiday of Hanukkah. The game originated from ancient times. Religious Jewish students played it to distract the Assyrians making them think that they were not studying Jewish texts which was strictly forbidden.

This will be the third Hanukkah that I will be celebrating here in Israel since we moved back November 9th, 2022. Life in Israel has many twists and turns. Many street roundabouts have spun me around. Like all the Israelis, I rely on the Waze navigation system for directions. I am grateful to the Hebrew speaking female savior who has directed me many times over to reach my destinations.

Most importantly during this approaching Hanukkah we will spend lots of time with our six grandchildren who keep us whirling and twirling. They remind us of childhood innocence, the power of play and the miracles of many. We read to the children about the triumphant victory of the small army of the Maccabees, who fought the enemy against all odds.

Despite the deep sorrow, destruction, death and darkness that has befallen our Jewish bodies and beautiful souls since October 7th we continue to choose and celebrate life despite our collective pain. During the light of this month of Kislev we turn ourselves around to find the light shining through the darkness.

What has happened to our Jewish peoplehood since October 7th has shaken us to the core. Alas, during this Hebrew month of Kislev we turn the darkness into light finding again our indestructible axis of Jewish existence.

We will not lose our way. We will find the light at the end of the tunnels bringing our hostages back alive or not…….to return home to their ancestral land of Israel.

Happy Hanukkah!
Rachel Devorah Broitman Havusha