Light for All – Message From the CEO
December 6, 2018In our house, we use, at least, one Hanukkah menorah for each person present for the candle lighting. All are welcome to be part of the ceremony – they don’t need to be a family member or even Jewish. Hanukkah is a festival of freedom, resilience, and light, something anyone should be able to relate to. And, as Jews, it is our privilege and responsibility to share that message with the broader communities in which we live.
Lately, this message of welcome seems to be lost in words of hate and fear. Certainly, we all can feel threatened by acts of terror that strike at the very heart of our culture by targeting our most routine activities. But, rather than react by building walls of exclusion, we need to focus on bridges of inclusion. I feel so fortunate to live in a country that welcomed my grandparents when they were fleeing persecution and gave them the opportunity to live full lives and grow their families, as Americans and Jews.
We all know people who came to this country for an opportunity to reach their full potential and have been successful contributors to our communities. They are our parents, friends, and colleagues. Maybe you are among them. It is up to all of us to ensure we continue this tradition of welcome–the strength of our nation depends on it. This is the meaning of the light of Hanukkah.
Lee Sherman, President & CEO