“This people of mine, this nation of mine, has been such a light to me.”
This week, as Jews around the world celebrate the eight days of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, these words are fitting, aren’t they?
“In this holiday of lights, I just wish for one miracle. For the hostages to come home and the war to end…”
These words, spoken with both sadness and hope, perfectly summarize how all of us here in the Holy Land are feeling, as we enter the holiday season.
With Hanukkah this year coming at the same time as Christmas, it is a wonderful reminder for us all—Christians and Jews— that God’s light continues to shine through the darkness, and He continues to perform wondrous miracles which we still witness, and pray for, each day.
While Hanukkah commemorates the miracle of oil that lasted for eight days, it also celebrates the miraculous victory of a small rag-tag group of Jews, known as the Maccabees, over a much more powerful enemy who was trying to destroy their faith. The story of Hanukkah is a story of survival. It’s a story of heroism. And it’s a story of miraculous victory—of light over darkness, freedom over oppression.
This season of light and miracles is also a poignant reminder that the people of Israel are now more than 400 days into a battle for our very survival. Like last year, we observe Hanukkah against a backdrop of war, suffering, and loss. And as we have for thousands of years, we continue to defend our land and our faith, and trust that God will bless us with victory. With survival.
This Hanukkah, I want to share with you eight incredible stories of Jewish heroes whose lives have inspired and encouraged me during this season of darkness. All eight of their stories bring light to the darkness, and the miracles they experienced bring me hope this Hanukkah. I pray they will bring you light and hope, too.
Today, I share the remarkable story of Adele Raemer, a 69-year-old grandmother, who has spent more than 400 days as a refugee in her own homeland, but whose hope and faith that her Kibbutz will be rebuilt, remains strong.
Adele is an American-born Jew who made aliyah (immigrated to Israel) as a young woman in the 1970s. She married and raised a family on Kibbutz Nirim, just miles from the border with Gaza. For years, Adele has considered Nirim “95% Eden,” a peaceful home where her daughter and three granddaughters also live, just a two-minute bike ride away.
All that changed on Oct. 7 when terrorists infiltrated and rampaged through their kibbutz, leaving a trail of death and destruction. Had Adele gone for her morning walk, as planned, she, too, would have undoubtedly been killed. Adele and her son, who was visiting her at the time, as well as her daughter’s family, miraculously survived and were rescued after 11 terror-filled hours. They were immediately evacuated to Be’er Sheva.
Today, what Adele hopes for most is to return to her beloved Nirim, which to this day, is still officially a war zone. Adele has gone back several times to Nirim since Oct. 7. About a month ago, members of the kibbutz returned to plant their communal gardens. It was also the first time Adele heard the sounds of children’s laughter on the kibbutz since Oct. 7. It gives her immense hope to see, and hear, that the healing process has begun.
And as Adele and others gathered at the kibbutz on the anniversary of the horrific attack, she vowed that from that time on, rather than focus on all they had lost, she would focus on rebirth and rebuilding.
“I end all my [social media posts] with ‘Am Israel Chai (the Nation of Israel lives) – whether you like it or not’ – because it gives me such a feeling of strength and optimism,” she said. “And I wouldn’t be able to do that without the support of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews and our Christian friends and allies around the world.”
Members of the kibbutz will gather again during Hanukkah to light their menorah. This year the light of the menorah carries special meaning for Adele. “This people of mine, this nation of mine, has been such a light to me. I’ve always loved my people – that’s why I came to live in Israel. It’s my home,” she said.
For me, Adele’s story is a beautiful reminder of the resiliency of the Jewish people. Just as the Maccabees refused to be victims and allow their enemies to steal their identity and faith, Adele and other Israelis like her, are continuing to celebrate life, to make their light shine. And that’s exactly the message of Hanukkah.
Her story is also a poignant reminder that the people of Israel continue to suffer as they fight against the darkness of terrorism. Now more than ever, they need your prayers and support. During this holiest time of year, I ask our Christian friends continue to light the way ahead for their Jewish brothers and sisters. Together, like the Maccabees, we can overcome our enemies and conquer darkness with the light of faith.
Yael Eckstein is President and CEO of The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, one of the world's largest religious charitable organizations. The Jerusalem Post's 2023 Humanitarian Award recipient and 4-time honoree on its 50 Most Influential Jews list, Yael is a Chicago-area native based in Israel with her husband and their four children.