A Chanukah Moment in Our Era?

 Dear Friends,


Although it is a bit early to talk about Chanukah, I wanted to share the following message with you.  

I was so moved by the Iranian soccer team's solidarity with the women in Iran who are seeking basic human rights when they didn't  sing their National Anthem. It was a moment that I hope will resonate in history as an Iranian Chanukah event that will lead to more freedom for all who live in Iran.  We know that the members of the team and those who are protesting are risking their lives.

I wonder how Judah Macabee felt when he decided that enough was enough and that Judaism and freedom were worth fighting for.   It was risky then and it is risky now. 

Please search out ways in which you can join the fight for freedom so that this year our Chanukah will be remembered as a time when we did something to fulfill the words of the Peter, Paul, and Mary song which are written below. Let us do what we can to not let the light go out by fighting persecution, hatred, and antisemitism both here and throughout the world.

As Rabbi Hillel wrote, "If not now, when?"

Shabbat shalom,

Rabbi Bruce Aft


Lyrics
Light one candle for the Maccabee childrenWith thanks that their light didn't dieLight one candle for the pain they enduredWhen their right to exist was deniedLight one candle for the terrible sacrificeJustice and freedom demandBut light one candle for the wisdom to knowWhen the peacemaker's time is at hand 
Don't let the light go out!It's lasted for so many years!Don't let the light go out!Let it shine through our hope and our tears. (2) 
Light one candle for the strength that we needTo never become our own foeAnd light one candle for those who are sufferingPain we learned so long agoLight one candle for all we believe inThat anger not tear us apartAnd light one candle to find us togetherWith peace as the song in our hearts 
Don't let the light go out!It's lasted for so many years!Don't let the light go out!Let it shine through our hope and our tears. (2) 
What is the memory that's valued so highlyThat we keep it alive in that flame?What's the commitment to those who have diedThat we cry out they've not died in vain?We have come this far always believingThat justice would somehow prevailThis is the burden, this is the promiseThis is why we will not fail! 
Don't let the light go out!Don't let the light go out!Don't let the light go out!
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Peter Yarrow
Light One Candle lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc

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