By Gil I. Wolfe
In the United States as in other Western societies, the Christmas season is hard to ignore, with omnipresent holiday sales, holiday lights, holiday shows, and holiday celebrations. Many of the people we interact with at work, in social circles, and even in some of our own families place Christmas at the very top of their holiday rankings. And now the week of Christmas is finally upon us, a week and day that has been anticipated at least since Thanksgiving, if not Halloween.
For our Jewish communities observing Chanukah, whose origin precedes by centuries the Christian observance, the brightness and joy of the season have been marred over the last few years, with October 7, the ensuing war and hostage impasse, and now the Bondi Beach tragedy just outside of Sydney weighing heavily. It seems we are in an endless cycle of violent strikes against our Jewish communities, still recovering from the last one before we are hit again. I started thinking about a topic for this column a few weeks ago, before the murders took place at Bondi, a beach I had walked across just 14 months ago. I considered changing the topic but decided that the themes below are as relevant now as they were before the tragedy. So here are inspiring things that both Chanukah and Christmas should share, values that we can learn from each other and take to heart.
- The Power of Public Joy and Visibility
This is a given for Christmas. And it was heartening to see local and worldwide celebrations of Chanukah shortly after the tragedy in Australia, with regional public lightings of tall, monumental Chanukiahs from the shores of Niagara Falls to the cityscapes of Buffalo. The Outstretched Arm and PJ Library events I attended only hours before the first light were filled with people young and old, confident in the security measures being taken. In many respects, Judaism is modest and less demonstrative than other world religions, but this time of year we need to be visible, building pride and solidarity in our communities while we bring light and positive expression to the world.
- Contributing to a Season of Kindness and Charity
Chesed (loving-kindness) and tzedakah are key elements of the Jewish faith. For the non-Jewish community, this time of year ushers in a peak of charity and service with a focus on those who are less fortunate, and this despite all the commercialism that surrounds the holiday. With food and clothing drives, our synagogues and other Jewish institutions are in lock step with spreading hope and cheer. Just late last month our own Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies donated $1 million to three Buffalo organizations to help fight food insecurity. A job well done.
- The Power of Storytelling
Both holidays are rich in historical narratives, satellite stories, and music that foster hope and reward moral courage. Moreover, both traditions have found ways to embed these stories in rituals that are enjoyed across generations. Now is as important as ever to share with our neighbors the stories and traditions behind Chanukah, to exhibit the courage, joy and promise behind it, and dispel the sentiment that Jewish holidays are all solemn, intellectual and hard to approach. And in so doing, may we bring more understanding, cooperation, and peace to our troubled times.
Dr. Gil Wolfe is a SUNY Distinguished Professor, Dept. of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo.
