Light and joy in times of darkness

December means Chanukah when you are Jewish. Chanukah’s meaning is light in times of darkness. How could anything be more appropriate this year. Hurricane Ian unleashed devastation and death to our area and the clean-up is really just starting. Many of our leadership and members have been affected. Many lost cars, which now seems like one of the better outcomes. Many who live in high-rise buildings still wait for power as their master control boards (motherboards) were damaged and replacements are difficult to find.

Living in hotels, living in rental units, living with friends or family — we all know someone in this situation, or we are ourselves in this situation. Yet, most of those we have spoken to about their plight consider themselves lucky, because they have the resources to deal with the displacement. This is in contrast to the many who are displaced and desperate, without financial means to go forward, often without insurance altogether. FEMA provides so little.

Then along comes Chanukah. Lights and joy in the darkness. Our last Chanukah was at Mercato. As you read this article, we are moving, or preparing to move, to our new home, The Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center. Next year, our Chanukah celebration will be there.

Jane Schiff and Jeffrey Feld

We have much to celebrate this Chanukah season. While Hurricane Ian marched over us — as of this writing, we know of new deaths in our Jewish community, and we mourn those who lost their lives — the multiyear dream of our own building has come true. The generosity of this community seems boundless and is helping thousands of our neighbors who were truly devasted by the impact of Ian. The light and darkness of the season seem somehow darker and brighter this year than ever before. Or maybe it is just more obvious than ever before.

We are so excited to show you the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center. We are amazed that, with all the slow-downs, supply chain issues, labor shortages and an epic hurricane, the building is actually opening exactly as planned some two years ago. But that amazement, is nothing in comparison to the excitement and enthusiasm we have for the building and the possibilities it presents for our community.

Watch for news about the official Grand Opening, which will go out as soon as we have a date we can count on.

Happy Chanukah!