Why All Americans Should
Celebrate Chanukah

At CLAL — The National Jewish
New York City
Center for Learning and Leadership —
n the nights of Chanukah,
we gathered a team of rabbis and
Dec. 9-16, Jews around the
scholars from different streams of
country will remember a lit-
Judaism to create specific ways in
de pitcher of olive oil. In
which Jews can dedicate each night of
particular, we will recall a moment
Chanukah to an act of heroism. We
from the second century B.C.E. when
began with the simple premise that
one of the Temple priests searched
Chanukah lights remind us of those
through the rubble of the vandalized
who sowed light in dark times.
sacred house.
This year, as we reflect on countless
In the midst of the chaos wrought by
acts of courage, determination, and
the attackers, he found a single, mirac-
perseverance, we dedicate each night to
ulously undisturbed, container of oil.
a set of heroes.
Surrounded by the wreckage, in an
• First Night: Firefighters, police
hour of despair, simply pouring the oil
officers and everyday citizens who gave
into the tarnished menorah and paus-
their lives to save others.
ing to re-light it was an act
• Second Night: Doctors,
of hope and renewal.
counselors, volunteers with
For years to come, people
the Red Cross and others
around the world will
who were called on to heal,
remember the image of the
comfort and support those
American flag waving in an
individuals and families
enormous pile of twisted
who have suffered unbear-
metal and debris in the heart
able loss.
of Manhattan. One rescuer,
• Third Night:
finding the flag in that rub-
Government and communi-
ble, broke free from the col-
RABBI DANIEL
ty leaders who transcended
lective sense of anguish to
S. BRE NNER
ideological differences to
affirm life. Like the first
Spe cial
build national strength and
lights of Chanukah, the
Comm entary
unity.
raised flag emerged as a sym-
• Fourth Night: Parents
bol that the attack would
and
teachers
who helped children to
not succeed in defeating the spirit of a
cope with new fears with calm and
resilient and determined people.
These nights of Chanukah are a per- empathy.
• Fifth Night: Rabbis, priests, minis-
fect time for all Americans to recall
ters, imams and other religious leaders
the actions of the past months that
returned us to an affirmation of life — who used their traditions to bring peo-
ple together, to affirm our common
stories of bravery; phone conversations
humanity and to nurture life.
with friends and family; walks in the
• Sixth Night: Men and women
woods or by water; personal reflections
who have been called up to national
read or heard; music; and moments of
service, who will not be with their
silence, meditation and prayer.
families for the holidays this year so
We also might recall the public
that they may protect us all.
gatherings — the moving benefit con-
• Seventh Night: Allies around the
certs; the interfaith vigils; and the
world,
who have been outspoken in
meetings and gatherings in our local
their condemnation of terror.
communities which expressed our col-
• Eighth Night: All of us who,
lective grief and our desire to move
through our daily actions, have insist-
forward.
ed that we will vigilantly move on,
On Chanukah, we have eight days
strengthening America's commitment
to dedicate ourselves to sustaining this
to diversity and pluralism, ensuring
renewed sense of public engagement
that the religious and intellectual free-
and to continue the quiet acts that
doms that we have fought for will
matter: caring for one another with
continue to be a light unto all nations.
sensitivity, pausing to appreciate our
In one of the classic retellings of the
daily sustenance, and loving life in a
Chanukah story, we read: "They
way that will give us strength through
entered the sanctuary, rebuilt the altar,
the times ahead.
repaired the walls, replaced the sacred
Rabbi Daniel S. Brenner is director of
vessels and were engaged in the
the National Jewish Resource Center at
rebuilding for eight days."
CLAL — The National Jewish Center for
May we, as a nation, celebrate this
Learning and Leadership. His e-mail
Chanukah as a time of both spiritual
address is dbrenner@claLorg
and communal rebuilding. ❑

0

`foto toilets are designed
and tested t exceed -industry
standards for performances.
Ensuring yoti of motc
ealtiy. hygienic and
comfortable hat liroont

uppy
1977 E. W. MAPLE ROAD, WALLED LAKE,. MI 48390

,PESIGN FOR

Plumbing questions? Call 1-800-560-7474

www.advanceplumbing.com

Ak

DAVID ROSENMAN'S

ALTO
mum. PIIIIKHASEIRS

NEW & USED CAR BROKER

Sales • Leasing • Buying
(248) 851-CARS (248) 851-2277

12/7
2001

33

