36 weeks/ The Light of Chanukah

Dear Family, Friends, and Students,, Those of you familiar with the Hebrew language know that in Hrebrew letters, the number 18 is represented by the letters which form the Hebrew word Chai, or life. This week it has been double chai months since Sue passed away. Everywhere we went it has been Rabbi Bruce and Sue or Bruce and Sue or Sue and Bruce and as I continue to wrestle with my name change to just Bruce, I had another revelation this week. A friend told me that wherever I journey from here, it is not just as Bruce. Sue will always be right there with me and certainly resides permanently in my heart. So as I continue my journey I had an intense experience at a local retirement home where one of the staff people was able to help me through a pivotal moment in my healing. We were celebrating Chanukah and the activities person put on the song, "Light One Candle" (see below and for those who cannot click on the link, please put the link in your browser to hear Peter, Paul, and Mary sing it). One of our favorite things to do here in the DC area was to attend Wolftrap, a local national park and outdoor venue for concerts. (Btw, I could not go there this summer without Sue and wonder if that will change in the future...it was our place...) Peter, Paul, and Mary performed there every summer and we went to see them a number of times. Their Chanukah song reminded me that Sue's life lit up so many lives and I need to let her light help me lessen the darkness in my life. It was a miracle when the small amount of oil lasted eight days and eight nights and kept the Menorah (lamp) burning. Some would suggest that the part of the Menorah that was kept burning was the eternal light. I realized that to be blessed by Sue's light for "so many years" was a miracle that will be eternal and it became an emotional moment because I had not heard this song since Sue passed away. I went to the back, and got it together with the care of a very special person at the retirement home. But as the song concludes, "Don't let the light go out." I know that Sue's light will never be extinguished and I will continue to share her light as Bruce and Sue. Having seen our children and grandchildren a number of times recently, what she (and I ) created will give light for generations to come. What a gift....the miracle of the light of her love through our children and grandchildren, friends of hers and ours, and for me locally, many precious and kind friends. And if you feel like it in whatever way you bring light into your home during this Holiday season, light one candle for Sue who worked diligently, person by person to help make this a more just world, to share her light with those whose lives were enveloped in darkness, and please, please, please be sure to keep her life alive in the flames of love that I hope you share with those who ou care about so that Sue will not have died in vain. I NEED YOU ALL TO DO THIS so I can heal... Please enjoy a wonderful Holiday season. I will write a blog on New Year's Eve Day which will be the 51st anniversary of when we celebrated our engagement in 1974. If you think of it on that day, send me a hug. I will miss her so much that day but will be carrying her light which only grows in my heart. Until I Write Again, Happy Holidays, Rabbi Bruce Aft Peter, Paul and Mary - Light One Candle (25th Anniversary ... Please check out my blog here and feel free to send me any comments or feedback. https://rabbibruceaft.blogspot.com Attachments area Preview YouTube video Peter, Paul and Mary - Light One Candle (25th Anniversary Concert)Preview YouTube video Peter, Paul and Mary - Light One Candle (25th Anniversary Concert)

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