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Chanukah Presence: Why This Year, Light BRITAIN’S Matters More
WE’RE COUNTING ON YOU TO JOIN
MARCH AGAINST ANTISEMITISM
2025 has been a difficult year for our For a community that stands tall, even in community. The unease, the tension on a time that pushes people to shrink. the streets, the brutal moments we’ve A menorah is a powerful symbol. It tells witnessed, none of this has left us una story of continuity that no headlines can touched. Many Jews have found themerase. It reminds us that we have been selves instinctively stepping back a little, here before, many times, and yet the Jewlowering their profile, wondering whether ish flame has never failed. It reassures our visibility still carries a cost. children that their identity is something Yet if there is one time of year that to cherish, not to manage or mute. And it speaks directly to this moment, it is sends a message to the wider world that Chanukah. Jewish life is vibrant, contributing, and The mitzvah of the menorah runs on here to stay. one simple idea: be visible. Place the Chanukah presence begins in the lights where they can be seen. Let them home, singing the blessings and songs speak. Let them shine. Jews have been do- with family and friends, sharing the story ing this for more than two thousand years, of the Maccabees, creating moments through calm periods and turbulent ones of warmth around the candles. But its alike, because the message of the menoimpact goes far beyond our living rooms. rah is timeless: even when the world feels It creates lasting connections, inspiration uncertain, we do not disappear. and a confident message for generations This is the spirit behind ‘Chanukah to come. Presence’, Aish’s call this year for every Our #chanukahpresence social media Jewish home to bring its light to the forecampaign involves taking a selfie with front. Not as a statement of defiance, not your unlit menorah in a public place as a political gesture, but as an expression and submitting it to us to be entered into of Jewish confidence and continuity. our competition for a chance of winning Presence is not noise. Presence is not amazing Chanukah presents! provocation. It is simply the quiet courage We’re looking for photos from the kind of being who we are with warmth, dignity, of places where we would like to shine and pride. a bit more light to make a statement of The miracle of Chanukah was not just presence this year. The more creative the that the oil burned eight times longer better! To find out more go to – https// than it should have. The first part of the www.instagram.com/aishukonline/ miracle was the actual decision to light This Chanukah, let’s fill our homes with the menorah in the first place. The Temlight and our world with confidence. Let’s ple had been desecrated. The atmosphere remind ourselves, that all it takes is a little was fragile. The future was unclear. And bit of light to dispel a huge amount of yet, the Maccabees chose to begin again, darkness. with small pure flames when there wasn’t even enough fuel in the tank. That choice is what changed everything. Their message is as relevant today as it was then: We rebuild a shaken world by adding light, not by withdrawing from it. At Aish, our mission throughout the year is to nurture that inner light, to help Jews reconnect with their heritage, deepen their learning, ask big questions, and find meaning that lasts. But this year Organised and paid for by Campaign Against Antisemitism (charity 1163790) demands more than privatenumber inspiration. It calls for visible confidence.
l r i g u h o t y e n i h S NIGHT BY NIGHT, ONE MORE FLAME. ONE STEP AT A TIME.
MARCH SETS OFF AT 13:00 ONE MORE REMINDER SUNDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER THAT LIGHT GROWS WHEREVER WE CHOOSE TO PLANT IT.
GATHER THIS CHANUKAH, STAND TALL.AT THE CORNER OF LET YOUR LIGHTSTREET BE FELT. HALLAM AND WEYMOUTH STREET
W1W 6JJ DARKNESS HAD ITSMARYLEBONE, MOMENT. NOW IT’S OUR TURN TO SHINE. ANTISEMITISM.ORG/MARCH
Be present. Shine proudly. And let the world see our light.