From Darkness to Light: Finding Creation Within Survival

As the Jewish year begins anew and we read Parshat Bereshit, we are reminded of creation — of beginnings born from chaos, of light emerging from darkness. The Torah tells us that “the earth was unformed and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep” (Genesis 1:2). And then — there was light.

For me, this portion has always carried a special meaning, but never more so than now, during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and just days after Spirit Day, when we stand together against bullying and hate. Because my story — like creation itself — began in darkness.

I am a survivor.
A survivor of bullying that nearly took my life.
A survivor of domestic violence that stripped me of my voice and my sense of worth.

There was a time when I believed I would never escape the void — when cruelty, fear, and shame were all I could see. Words and fists both left scars, and I wondered if there would ever be light again.

But just as in Bereshit, the smallest flicker of light broke through. It began with a moment of faith — the belief that I could be more than what others made me feel. That I could be re-created.

G-d did not erase the darkness — He transformed it. And so did I.

Through healing, therapy, faith, and love, I began to rebuild my life. I found my voice again. I began speaking out — for those who still can’t, for those who are afraid, and for those who think they don’t deserve light. Because they do. We all do.

Every time I tell my story, I am reminded that survival isn’t just about living through the storm — it’s about creating something beautiful in its aftermath. Like Bereshit, it’s a story of transformation, of forming meaning out of chaos, and of choosing light, again and again.

Today, I wear purple — for those who couldn’t, for those who are still trapped, and for those who are finding the courage to begin again. I wear it to honor the creation of a new self — not defined by trauma, but by strength.

To anyone still living in darkness, please know: your story isn’t over. You, too, can create light.

Because creation isn’t a one-time event — it’s something we do every day when we choose to live, to heal, and to hope.