Hanukkah presents the Jewish people with an opportunity for healing after Oct. 7 - opinion

Even as the pain still pulses in our hearts since the October 7 massacre, and as we move farther away from the tragedy, it becomes difficult to break through the confusion of war. Our empathy for the loss of human life of the innocents is combined with our need to see justice and prevent this continued violence and ongoing abuse against Jews in Israel and around the world.

Hanukkah presents the perfect opportunity to empower all who seek to build upon their belonging while our people, history, and human rights are under attack. Candles get lit in even the most secular homes, and even those who do not know the story know that we light candles for eight nights because of a miracle in Jerusalem.

Indeed, the Maccabees give us a concrete example of what standing up for Jewish rights means in every generation since Jewish homes of all levels of observance light with their own personal rededication of the eternal flame in the Second Temple on Mount Moriah, the Temple Mount. This year, the battle seems all the more personal.

We continue to seek ways to strengthen our national unity while our soldiers are still on the battlefield. We want to show our solidarity while simultaneously feeling empowered in our personal struggles with friends we’ve lost who refuse to acknowledge the atrocities of the Hamas’s genocidal actions against our fellow Jews.

We are looking for ways to fight the hate that is taking over every stream of media and public opinion, and we are looking for ways to feel better in spite of the unknown future. It is precisely at this time that we must spread our blue and white ancestral light and flood the world with our pride and resilience in the face of our Maccabee fight for our survival.

While we may not be able to drown out the lies and demonization of Israel entirely, this year, Hanukkah can deepen the connection of Jews to our heritage and peoplehood. The lights we kindle take on a whole new meaning in the aftermath of the massacre, and every night gives us a chance to delve further into their significance for us as Jews today.

Keeping the flame of Jewish unity alive

Continuing the successful effort of Blue and White Unity of The Israel Forever Foundation, the Light Blue and White Hanukkah campaign provides tangible, engaging resources to assist families, friends, communities, organizations, and groups of all ages to explore new ways to spread the light and keep the flame of Jewish unity alive. The exclusive Host a Night in Blue and White kit is available for use in every setting, as blue and white candles allow us to commemorate the miracles, the wars, and the honor of being one of the Jewish nation with our national colors.

What better way to make this Hanukkah come to life than by shining a light on the connection we share with the thousands of years of Jews before us. Whether you make a blue and white sand hanukkiah, bake blue and white dreidel cookies, decorate your sufganiot (traditional doughnuts) with blue and white sprinkles and stars, or wear blue and white to sing a song for Israel and Jewish unity – the light we spread this Hanukkah can brighten the darkness and help us heal our hearts and those who feel inspired by our act of strength. It is these small acts of kindness and connectivity that can shine brightly for our families and friends long after the candle’s flames have burnt out.

Whatever your way of expression, our collective acts of solidarity bind us with our ancestral heritage in our continued battle for Jewish rights even today. We know that this war has been forced upon us, and we know that it is not an easy one to win. Our reason and purpose must remain clear to enable our unity to outlast the tendency to politicize and, as a result, divide and weaken our resolve. We will not allow “Never again” to be an empty slogan. We will stand up for our people, for Israel, and for the right to defend ourselves. Let our ancestral colors be a source of strength to all Citizens and Virtual Citizens of Israel.

The writer is a Jewish identity transformational leader and Jewish rights activist. A historian, educator, writer and motivational speaker, she is CEO/executive director of The Israel Forever Foundation, an apolitical nondenominational empowerment and engagement organization focused on building Jewish unity.