Hanukkah miracles do not happen on their own

This Hanukkah, as families gather to light their menorahs, the flames symbolize resilience, miracles, and hope. But this year, they are also a reminder that we can bring light to those still held in darkness.

My cousin Carmel Gat was supposed to come home. The deal that secured the release of dozens of Israeli hostages, included her name for the eighth day – but ended on the seventh. Carmel, a master’s student in occupational therapy, and a woman dedicated to healing others, was left behind. 

Even in captivity, she gave of herself. She guided her fellow young hostages — practicing yoga, counting the days to their release, and offering strength when despair could have won. Her light shone for others even when hers was at risk of being extinguished. The two fellow hostages that were held with her were released in the deal, but the door was shut and Carmel was left behind.

Carmel’s story intertwines with her sister-in-law, Yarden Roman-Gat, who was taken from the same house as Carmel, on October 7th 2023. Yarden’s bravery exemplifies the choice to save the lives of people we care about, even at great risk. Yarden, her husband Alon (Carmel’s brother), and their 3-year-old daughter Geffen, were kidnapped from the house in Kibbutz Be’eri and driven by terrorists towards Gaza. Five hundred meters from the border, Alon and Yarden seized an opportunity to escape. They took off from the car and started running away from their captors. Yarden realized that her daughter’s best chance to survive was in the hands of her father who was able to run faster than her. She made a split-second, selfless decision, handed Geffen to Alon and told him, “Run. Save our daughter.” Alon fulfilled his wife’s wish and escaped with Geffen, while Yarden was recaptured and taken hostage into Gaza.

Forty days later, a deal was signed. Every day, 10 more people emerged from the ambulances and into their loved ones’ hugs. This deal brought 105 Israelis back home alive, among them – on the 6th day – Yarden. She returned home to discover that she managed to save her husband and child. The image of Yarden lighting Hanukkah candles with Geffen brought warmth into our collective hearts. It was a miracle, not of divine intervention alone, but one achieved through courage, resilience, negotiations, and the unwavering determination to bring her back. It was a light reclaimed from the darkest of places.

Now, we face the possibility of another miracle, with the opportunity to make a deal that would bring back 100 hostages still waiting. Hanukkah teaches us that miracles do not happen on their own. The oil lasted eight days because someone chose to light the first flame. Miracles require action, persistence, and hope.

Carmel’s story intertwines with that of her sister-in-law, Yarden Roman-Gat, whose bravery exemplifies the choice to save lives, even at great risk. Carmel herself held on through hunger and terror, surviving as long as it depended on her strength. But after 328 days, her captors executed her, together with five other beautiful souls, Eden, Ori, Alex, Almog and Hersh, aged 24-40. Their story was not supposed to end this way, they were supposed to come back alive. The door to freedom closed on Carmel and did not open in time for these “beautiful six,” as Hersh’s mother calls them. During the last few weeks, we’ve had signs of life from two youngsters, Edan and Matan. We must learn the lesson. I hope that now, in this moment of possibility, the door will open again — and this time, it must remain open until the last hostage comes back home.

This Hanukkah, the eighth candle — the candle Carmel never got to see — must be lit with them. It must light the menorahs of the hostages still waiting for the door to open, still clinging to hope as Carmel once did. The geopolitical circumstances today allow us to be hopeful. We are not powerless. We can rely on one another and take the brave decision, just as Yarden did, to save the lives of whomever we can save.

Let this Hanukkah be the Hanukkah when 100 homes are able to light their menorahs in full.

Carmel believed in hope, even in the darkest hours. Now it is our turn. Miracles happen when humans refuse to give up, when we decide to light the first candle and carry its flame forward. As happened a year ago, the first candle must be lit, but this time, the oil shall last until the mission is complete. This Hanukkah, may millions of houses be lit with the light of our loved ones back home.