Dear Friends,
As our Jewish friends, neighbors, family members, and indeed some UU’s observe and celebrate Hanukkah over the next eight days, I’m reminded of a story a woman named Linda shared online about how her family celebrates Hanukkah in which she said,
“It is important to recognize that different families celebrate differently. Our family loves to eat Latkes (potato pancakes fried in oil) and play dreidel. Gifts were actually a cultural addition in the holiday’s more recent history. It is said that gifts were added because of Hanukkah’s proximity to Christmas. Everyone does gifts differently. Some people give gifts each day of the holiday, some at their family’s gathering, some do not give many gifts at all. My family has reserved one night of Hanukkah each year to give a gift to the world. This is a night when we engage in “Tikun Olam” or “healing the world” and each child chooses what to do or give to make the world a better place.”
In a world where grievance politics, a self-absorbed attention economy, and the continued treatment of the planet as a personal resource reinforce the message that all that matters is me, myself, and I, Linda’s family’s tradition offers a counter-narrative. One that flips the script from, “What am I owed?” to “What can I offer?”
Perhaps the greatest miracle in this season of miracles across traditions is that we can, with some attention and intention, change the narrative around what’s important and what it means to be human. For the sake of a wounded, weeping world, let us embrace this miracle.
Peace and blessings,
Rev. Craig