As I write this column, I am currently at The General Assembly of Jewish Federations of North America with fifteen other volunteer and professional leaders of our community.  It is at conferences such as The General Assembly where I always walk away feeling reinvigorated by the incredible sense of dedication and leadership of our North American movement, especially during these challenging times. We heard from hostage families including a hostage freed from Gaza whose husband is still in captivity. We listened to North American rabbinical leadership across the religious spectrum discuss how they are responding to the war in Israel, antisemitism in their own communities and how to respond to the post-October 7 surge of engagement that we are seeing in Jewish life. In every plenary, we prayed that all 101 hostages be returned home immediately to their loved ones.      

As we approach Hanukkah, we should take a moment to pause and recall the timely lessons of this holiday. At a time when many feel darkness is consuming our lives, we are commanded to publicize the miracle of the light. Sharing this miracle with others in our community during Hanukkah will bring much needed light at a time of darkness for many.    

As you will read in this issue, our community did just that when we commemorated October 7 with Jewish institutions across Central Texas. We continue to see a surge in engagement in our community. You will read about our incredible ShinShinim and the many ways they are building relationships with our community. We have so much to celebrate in our community.    

Following October 7 and in the year that followed, I saw how our community both in Austin and around the world came together in ways that were truly inspiring. After attending The General Assembly, I was reminded how powerful and important it is for us to convene and lean on each other to support one another through this time. And I continue to pray that all hostages are returned home in the immediate future to celebrate Hanukkah with their families.    

Chag Urim Sameach, a meaningful and bright Hanukkah,  

Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus