Chanukah has been a whirlwind; mostly for good, despite the severely challenging circumstances at the onset of the Holiday.
Chabad throughout the region hosted Menorah lightings at the Riverwalk, Lakeside, the Pelicans, several hospitals and senior homes in the New Orleans area, Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, Lafayette, Alexandria, Gulfport, events at the Synagogues, and the Mobile Menorah Parade is still ahead this Saturday night.
Locally, Chanukah @ Riverwalk was covered by several media outlets.
WWLTV: https://tinyurl.com/RiverwalkChanukah1
FOX8: https://tinyurl.com/RiverwalkChanukah2
I was also interviewed on NPR’s Louisiana Considered program.
https://tinyurl.com/ChanukahInterview
Obviously, at the forefront of everyone’s mind is the horrific terrorist attack at the Chanukah celebration on Sydney’s Bondi Beach, resulting in tragic loss and widespread injury. Particularly, I mourn my “brothers-in-purpose,” fellow Shluchim, Rabbis Eli Schlanger and Yaakov Levitan. A campaign has been launched to help the families of those murdered. You can contribute at www.chabadneworleans.com/7165884.
Much has been made, and rightfully so, about the people who confronted the terrorists and delaying their ability to operate, thereby saving countless lives. Sadly, three of them, Reuven Morrison, and Boris & Sofia Gurman, lost their lives in the process. Ahmed Al Ahmed, sustained significant injuries, but with G-d’s help he will survive. His story is being hailed as unique, because, unlike the others, he is not Jewish, in fact he is an Arab.
Our world has become so desensitized to the notion that humans can be humans; that a Mensch can be a Mensch, that we are surprised when one human is willing to risk their safety to help another human. What happened to basic “Menschlichkeit” (being a decent human being, who is kind and considerate of others)?
There has been a lot of discussion about the role of incendiary language, such as “Globalize the Intifada,” in the prevalence of attacks on Jews over the past two years. The power of language and word choice is unquestionable. Torah has been making that argument for thousands of years.
Let’s start a movement to “Globalize Menschlichkeit.” We will export the notion that a human is supposed to be a Mensch. More and more people will start to think in those terms and a powerful force for goodness and kindness will ensue.
Let’s ensure that the blood of our fellow Jews murdered in Sydney at a Chanukah celebration is not forgotten. We can turn this event into a catalyst for real change that can have a Global Impact.
Shabbat Shalom and Happy Chanukah!
Rabbi Mendel Rivkin