“What’s happening here?” A 15 year old kid passing with his friends, asks my wife Malky, as she was putting the finishing touches on the refreshments table for the Menorah lighting at Pearland Town Center Mall. “We’re celebrating Chanukah, a Jewish holiday,“ she explains.
“Oh, we read about in Anne Frank,” he proudly shares.
Another one of the teens speaks up: "I think my grandma used to light those candles," he reminisces.
Sure enough, it’s his mom’s mother that he’s speaking of. He and his friends were soon laden with doughnuts and chocolate gelt, and the boy who just discovered that he’s Jewish, was given his own Menorah to kindle when he got home.
And this was before we even lit the main Menorah. Just setting up.
Stories like these abound at public Menorah lightings.
There are many reasons for the kindling of the public Menorahs initiated by the Rebbe. But first and foremost, it would be for the uncountable number of souls touched and inspired; nearly lost heritages, Jewish identities, re-discovered and re-ignited.
And non-Jewish people, as well, are inspired by the universal message of the Menorah, and moved by the gentle radiance of its sacred light.
That’s why we’ll spend night after night of this beautiful holiday, not around the table with our family, but running public Menorah lightings and celebrations across our area. Programs that take much time, expense and effort to put on. Why do we do it? Because who can possibly put a price on the Jewish pride it generates, on the souls inspired, heritages rediscovered and lives changed for the better by the glow cast by the Menorah’s light, lights that still bring on miracles, ‘in those days’ and ‘at this time.’
As we celebrate all eight lights on this final day of Chanukah, I invite you to come and partner with us (jbayarea.org/sharethelight) in kindling ever more light, not just during Chanukah, but all year round. Your support and partnership will make all the difference.
The world is delicately balanced between good and the opposite, Maimonides famously taught, one more good deed, word or even thought, has the power to tip the scales, to change the tide and help usher in the foretold age of redemption, Geulah, for each one of us and for the entire world. Let’s tip those scales.
Let’s share the light!
Rabbi Yitzchok Schmukler
Chabad of the Bay Area TX