Hanukkah: The Difference Between Light and Darkness

Dear Friends,

Last night, we kindled the first Hanukkah candle, a reminder that even on the darkest nights, the light of hope shines. But it’s up to us to light the candle. We must take action. And on every subsequent night, we light one more candle because action leads to hope, and our hope grows as we emerge from darkness.

These have been dark times for Israel, American Jews, and Jews worldwide. We at the Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA) grieve for those lost in Israel, pray for the hostages, and share your concerns about rising antisemitism and hate. This Hanukkah, we are asking you to join us in taking action to make the world a better, more democratic, and safer place for the Jewish people. This is the vision of JDCA.

Hanukkah is about dedication. We must rededicate ourselves in the political arena to the values that we hold dear: defending democracy, reproductive freedom, and economic justice, combatting climate change, gun violence, antisemitism, and protecting Israel. We do that by electing Democrats who share our values because only the Democratic Party represents the shared values of the overwhelming majority of Jewish Americans. That’s why, as we approach 2024, we want you to join us in working to re-elect President Biden and Vice President Harris, to increase our Senate majority, and to take back the House.

This week, Senate Republicans followed in the footsteps of their GOP colleagues in the House, preventing passage of President Biden’s vital emergency aid package for our allies, which included $14.3 billion in aid for Israel. Biden asked Congress to pass this package on October 20. It should have been on his desk weeks ago–and would have been with solid Democratic majorities in the Senate and House.

This is not just another election between two parties. This is a struggle for the future of democracy and the soul of our nation. The Maccabees did not give up. Neither will we. The differences between the Democratic and Republican parties are as different as day and night, light and darkness. As we prepare to light the second candle, join us. Together, we aim to create a brighter future for us and our children, where our security, democracy, and fundamental rights are protected.

This week, JDCA was honored to host Rabbi Sharon Brous, founder and senior rabbi of IKAR in Los Angeles, for our eighth community conversation since October 7. Rabbi Brous, who has been described as one of the most influential Jewish leaders in the world, has remained one of the leading voices on the crisis in Israel and Gaza. Our conversation Wednesday was insightful and inspiring, and we want to make sure you didn’t miss her important message. Click here or below to listen and share this fascinating conversation, and please join us next Wednesday for an event with PA Governor Josh Shapiro, Shalom Hartman Institute President Yehuda Kurtzer, and author and JDCA New Leadership Council member Sarah Hurwitz.

 

Shabbat Shalom and Chag Urim Sameach,

Hon. Ron Klein
Board Chair, Jewish Democratic Council of America

Halie Soifer
CEO, Jewish Democratic Council of America