In Search of Belonging in the Darkness, the Twilight, and the Light

The season of Hanukkah is upon us. By this time of year, we have experienced many cycles of darkness, twilight, and light. What a blessing it is to witness the sunrise peaking above the horizon, the sunset waving goodbye every evening, revealing its brilliant palette of blues, golds and orange, and the opportunity to experience the gentle embrace of darkness as it envelops the earth, allowing our minds, bodies, and souls to rest and rejuvenate.

The pace of life slows down, the weather changes, and our cycles shift to a circadian rhythm (i.e., sleep cycle) that is processing more darkness than light. It forces us to look around more, sympathize with one another, and be more generous towards one another. As we welcome Hanukkah this year, the Festival of Lights, let us look around, pause, and realize that we could not have light without the darkness. Without darkness, there would be nothing to illuminate the light up against. And without the darkness and the light, there would be no in-between time, our twilight hours. Each of these moments in time are important and necessary to fully embrace the entirety of our full beings and the beauty of our ecosystem, our world.

This year, as 2025 comes to a close, we are living during a time in our history that none of us have experienced before or could have predicted. There is so much pain, suffering, uncertainty, and dehumanization being perpetrated against humanity, that it is hard to turn on the news or even have a deep conversation with your neighbor; everyone is feeling the impact of the world. As we light our hanukkiyah hanukkiyahחֲנֻכִּיָּהNine-branched candelabra used during Hanukkah – eight branches for each night of the holiday, plus another branch (often taller, central, or more prominently displayed) for the shamash (helper) candle, which is used to light the others. this year, in addition to saying our prayers, let us also be specific about a call to action we want to make each night - dedicate the light to liberation and belonging.

As we light the middle candle, the shamashshamashשַׁמָּשׁHelper candle used to light the other candles in a menorah. , which will light all of the other candles, let us be reminded of the sun and how it is the consistent form of warmth, comfort and light, and keeps us alive and sustained, just the way LOVE sustains us.

On the first night, we light a candle in honor of COMPASSION. We are all b'tzelem Elohimb'tzelem Elohimבְּצֶלֶם אֱלֹהִיםLiterally "in the image of God;" the concept—from Genesis 1:27: “God created humankind in God’s image”—that because all humanity is created in the image of God, each person is equally valued.  (made in God's image), and we must treat each other with that in mind.

On the second night, we light a candle in honor of HOLY BOLDNESS. We call on ancestors who have given us the strength and courage to speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves. If not now, when?

On the third night, we light a candle in honor of GRATITUDE for the opportunity to wake up another day to make a positive difference in someone's life - to plant the seed of hope for future generations.

On the fourth night, we light a candle in honor of TRUTH. We know truth is under attack, but let us always carry truth in our heart, so that it can never be taken away, no matter what is written or recorded.

On the fifth night, we light a candle in honor of RESILIENCE. We are in a marathon and a sprint at the same time. Please give us the resilience to hang on and hang on tight and to refill our buckets when we run low on energy, patience, or hope.

On the sixth night, we light a candle in honor of SHARED HUMANITY. I know the moral arc of the universe is long, but it tends to bend toward justice only when we push and pull it.

On the seventh night, we light a candle in honor of DIGNITY. We need four things to thrive and to feel human: air, water, food, and love.

On the eighth night, we light a candle in honor or JOY. We will get in touch with the depth of feeling that stimulates our mind, body, spirit, and soul. Even when the world around us is in disarray, we can find peace in our joy.

As we continue to search for belonging in the darkness, twilight and light, let us keep in mind that we are not alone. We are all looking for community, meaning and purpose. This year, let us reflect on what Hanukkah means (dedication) and how we can commit to dedicating ourselves to each other and planting the seeds for a better tomorrow. As we light each candle, dedicating it to the guiding principles of belonging, love, compassion, holy boldness, gratitude, truth, resilience, shared humanity, dignity and joy, may we draw on both memory and imagination. Let us learn from the past, dream of a more just future, and embrace darkness, twilight and light as the essential elements for cultivating a community of belonging.