TBS News and Information

Resilience is “the ability to adapt, cope, and bounce back from adversity, stress, trauma, or significant challenges, allowing one to recover and even grow stronger.” Or so Google’s AI tells me. Resilience is the word that has been on my mind most of this week, as I have seen resilience in multiple places.

There is resilience in the Chanukah story. As we tell it, King Antiochus forbade the Jews in the Land of Israel to practice Judaism. He desecrated the holy Temple in Jerusalem. He banned Jewish learning. Our ancestors resisted, found ways to teach Hebrew letters (dreidel anyone?), and ultimately rose up in rebellion. They overcame the mighty Syrian-Greek army and reclaimed Jewish sovereignty. They cleansed the Temple and restored Jewish practice. We celebrate their accomplishments with our Festival of Lights.

There is resilience in the Jewish community of Australia. The horrific antisemitic attack on the Chanukah gathering at Bondi Beach killed 15 people, including a Chabad rabbi, a Holocaust survivor, and a 10-year-old girl. The very next day, 1000 people gathered at the same site to remember the victims and to reject the dark hatred that motivated the attackers. The community kindled the Chanukah candles, steadfast in the belief that light dispels darkness.

There is resilience in our TBS community. Monday afternoon’s flood caused significant damage to Mrs. Ben Simon’s office and much of the flooring in our back hallway, classrooms, half the social hall, and the back two-thirds of the sanctuary. Four days later, the building is functional (electricity, heat, internet), most of the damaged carpeting has already been removed, and the bottom foot of drywall has been cut away, preparing for replacement and repair. Contingency plans for future services and events are being made. We will rebuild and recover from this trauma, stronger than ever as a community. And tonight’s Chanukah and Shabbat celebrations will happen as planned, relocated to Abiding Presence Lutheran Church, as we will join to light our Chanukah and Shabbat candles together.

Resilience has been part of the Jewish story forever. We adapt and grow and rebound from adversity, committed always to lifting up the lights of compassion, justice, knowledge, and faith. May we celebrate that resilience this Chanukah, reflected in the glow of the candles and in the warmth of our community.

Shabbat Shalom and Happy Chanukah!