Together, We Will Ensure the Flame Never Goes Out

Tonight, as the final candle of Hanukkah is lit, we stand together to witness the fullness of the menorah’s light—eight flames, small yet defiant, reminding us of the miracle of resilience and the power of faith. But this year, the light of Hanukkah feels heavier. It holds the weight of more than a year shadowed by unimaginable darkness.

October 7, 2023, a day that should have been ordinary, has become a day etched into the memory of every Jew, every Israeli, and every heart that knows what it means to fight for survival. This year, Christians too are facing profound challenges—persecution in the Middle East and a growing sense that Christianity is under attack in the West. These are not isolated struggles but shared battles against forces of darkness.

This year, the beginning of Hanukkah and the celebration of Christmas fell on the same day—a rare convergence that is not only spiritually symbolic, but a call from God Himself. It is a reminder that we must stand together, Jews and Christians alike, to bring the light and to fight the darkness.

For Christians who stand with Israel, it is a shared moment. The story of Hanukkah—the triumph of light over darkness, of faith over persecution—is one that echoes through both our faiths. It is a reminder that God’s light can never be extinguished, no matter how fiercely the winds blow against it.

The eighth day of Hanukkah is a moment of completion, the culmination of eight nights of light. It reminds us that God does not abandon His people, even in the darkest of times. But it is also a call to action—a reminder that the light must not only be celebrated but carried forward.

This year, that call feels sharper than ever. October 7 marked one of the darkest days in Israel’s history, when terrorists sought to extinguish lives, destroy communities, and shatter the light of hope. But the light of Israel did not go out. It flickered, yes, but it did not fail.

For Christians and Jews, this is a shared challenge. Together, we are called not only to celebrate this light but to protect it, to ensure that the light of faith, the light of hope, and God’s promises shine not just for today but for generations to come.

Today, we face a world where anti-Semitism is rising like smoke—insidious and suffocating. We see it on campuses, in the streets of cities we once called home, and on the global stage, where the story of Israel’s survival is twisted into appalling, baseless accusations against the Jewish state. Just as the Greeks sought to snuff out the soul of Judaism by forbidding its practice, so too do modern forces seek to delegitimize Israel and extinguish its light.

But Hanukkah teaches us that light is not passive. It demands action. It must be kindled, fed, protected. And, though it may flicker, it can never be extinguished.

As Christians and Jews, we must stand together against the rising tide of hatred—a united flame against the darkness. At the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, where I have the honor of serving as president and CEO, we see this partnership as our sacred calling, a reflection of God’s promise to bless the world through His people. Every prayer, every act of generosity, every step we take together as Christians and Jews kindles this flame anew and strengthens the light that pushes back the darkness.

Israel, a land smaller than most American states, has given the world a wealth of blessings. It has made the desert bloom, not just with crops but with innovation, medical breakthroughs, technological advancements, and lifesaving ideas. Israel’s contributions reflect not only its determination to survive but its commitment to bless the world.

As God promised Abraham: “All the families of the earth shall be blessed through you.” This, like the light of Hanukkah, is a promise that cannot be extinguished.