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!
12 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.
God help us all.
💔🙏🏻
Keep Australia in your prayers. I live in Victoria and am horrified at what has happened. Unfortunately, the number is now at 15. And one of the monsters who committed this crime.
Keeping the victims and their families in prayer. So many horrible things going on, but you are right - we must continue looking for and trying to follow the light. .
A truly sad and horrific event, Carol, and more so at a time of joy. When something happens at a place we know or have visited, it somehow is even more poignant. Wishing you a Happy Chanukah in spite of sadness.
What a horrific thing. Tonight your light will be lit and it will shine out as a reminder that God is still God and He is with you.
My heart has been broken since the moment I heard this horrendous news, Carol. May God help us all and bless His chosen people.
I read your post yesterday and was without words to express the horror of this terrible calamity. I'm still at a loss and numb by the hate this tragedy has exposed for fellow humans.
my heart goes out to all those affected by the tragedy.Prayers and love being sent out. Yes, it is hope that keeps our light shinning nightly! Hope that better days are coming where nothing like this will ever affect our own families. Happy Hannakah! Keep your light shinning for all to see1
Such a tragedy. I'm sure it hits extra hard for you since you have been there. I hope you have a Happy Chanukah in spite of this horrible event.
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