This Chanukah feels different

This Chanukah feels very different for American Jews. Our festive joy is restrained by our concern for the welfare of our brothers and sisters in Israel. Many of us have family in Israel who are directly affected by the unfolding events. But there are lessons from the Chanukah story that are still relevant.

The story takes place in ancient Israel around 165 BCE, long before Jesus of Nazareth. The Assyrian-Greeks tried to extinguish the Judaism of that time by converting the Holy Temple in Jerusalem into a pagan shrine. Imagine if they had succeded! Neither Christianity nor Islam would exist in their present form, maybe not at all.  The preservation of Judaism and the Hebrew Bible are gifts to humanity, not only Jews.

The victory was achieved because the priestly family of Mattathias and his sons, most notably Judah called Maccabee, succeeded in uniting the Jewish people to fight for their survival. Fewer in number than their foes, determination and courage won out.

We do not celebrate the Maccabean victory today so much as we celebrate the rededication of the Holy Temple for Jewish worship. The Chanukah candelabra, the menorah, represents the continuous flame of the Holy Temple lit once again during an eight day festival.

The lessons of Chanukah are clear. Christians, Muslims and Jews share a common religious heritage, though our present cultures are diverse. Unity of spirit and purpose are key to overcoming critical challenges. Dedication and rededication to our beliefs and values must occur in every generation for our faith and culture to survive and thrive.

A popular Chanukah song says that 'in every age the Jewish people must arise' to redeem itself. Current events testify to the wisdom of this song. Happy Chanukah to those observing it and Happy Holidays to all our neighbors.

• Rabbi Art Vernon

Congregation Shaaray Shalom