A Light in the Darkness: Hoping for Or's Return

from Washington Jewish Journal | Chanukah Edition 2024

When Dreams Come True

This Chanukah, for the second year in a row, my brother Or Levy remains a hostage in Gaza's underground tunnels, along with 99 other hostages taken from Israel. Ironically, Or's name means "light" in Hebrew. Now, as we approach the festival of lights, he remains trapped in literal and metaphorical darkness.

For the second year in a row, Or’s only son, Almog, only three years old, will be lighting the candles without his parents. Almog has been growing up without his parents for 438 days - more than half of his life.

Or was kidnapped on October 7th from the Nova Festival, where his wife Eynav was brutally murdered. The last time we heard from Or was a whispered phone call to our mother: "You don't want to know what's happening here." Minutes later, terrorists stormed their bomb shelter, killing Eynav and taking Or captive.

Since that moment, our family has been fighting tirelessly—meeting world leaders, traveling globally— to secure his release. We're working desperately to preserve Or's memory for Almog, fearful that recollections of his parents will fade over time.

Chanukah represents more than celebration; it symbolizes resilience. The holiday's foundational miracle—a small jar of oil burning unexpectedly for eight days—embodies hope emerging from seemingly impossible circumstances. This year, one hundred families will light candles with a painful absence, praying for their loved ones' survival and a miracle that they will be safely home.

When I light the Menorah this year with my family and young Almog, we'll send our light into the darkness, holding onto the possibility of a miracle. The story of Chanukah reminds us that hope can emerge when we are most scared, most desperate.

Our prayer is simple yet profound: that Or will return, that he will once again light the Chanukiah with his son, his parents, and his brothers—a beacon of light triumphant over darkness.

Michael Levy lives in Gan Hatikva, Israel, with his wife and three daughters.