Tonight the first candle of Chanukah will be lit
One of my goals for this month was to post on a regular basis and to help me along, I put together a list of posts. Today's post was "scheduled" to be photographs from a visit to the Hudson Yards area yesterday. There are lovely seasonal decorations -- including this Menorah -- and I got to see a fun holiday music and dance program, complete with videos.
But I woke up this morning to see a horrific notification on my phone. During an outdoor celebration of Chanukah in Bondi Beach, Australia, an act of terrorism took place. Eleven people died -- now twelve -- and many more were injured. They were eating jelly doughnuts and potato pancakes -- traditional Chanukah food -- and lighting the first candle of the Menorah.
I visited Bondi Beach (outside of Sydney) in February, 2018. The beach is spectacular and I have happy memories of the day, drinking coffee and enjoying the street art. It's nearly impossible to reconcile the quiet and lovely setting with an act of terrorism, but here I am.
Bondi Beach, Australia February 2018
But despite the heartbreak, tonight Chanukah will still begin. There is a candle to be lit -- one tonight for the first night -- potato pancakes to be eaten and olive oil to be tasted at a gathering with friends. Most of all there is still hope and light on the darkest of days, which is what Chanukah is all about.
Happy Chanukah, dear friends. May your world be filled with light even when the days are dark.
As ever, thanks for visiting. Wishing you light, peace and love!
2 comments
That is so heartbreaking, and yet you have written a beautiful post filled with hope.
Love "there is still hope and light on the darkest of days, which is what Chanukah is all about."
Thanks for sharng that message, and I echo your sentiments back to you--Happy Chanukah! May your world also be filled wth light even when the days are dark.
I am so very, very sorry about this sad, sad event. I echo Great-Granny Grandma's sentiments and wish you not only Happy Chanukah but peace in our world. My heart goes out to all those families who are suffering the loss of their loved ones.
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