Hi friend,
Today is the winter solstice—the longest, darkest night of the year. It’s also the seventh night of Chanukah, with Christmas just days away.
There’s something powerful about how these celebrations of light converge in the darkest part of the year. Whether you’re lighting menorah candles, decorating a tree, or simply noticing the moment when daylight begins its slow return, we’re all reaching for the same things: light, warmth, and hope.
As a Jewish mother, this season feels especially tender this year. The attack on families celebrating Chanukah at Bondi Beach is a painful reminder that gathering in joy—being visible in our traditions—can be vulnerable, risky, and brave. But we do it anyway. We light the candles. We gather our children close. We choose warmth and community, even when the world feels deeply uncertain.
This is the season of turning toward our loved ones and holding onto light—whether it’s the flames of a menorah, lights twinkling on a tree, the glow of a fireplace, or the soft corner where a favorite story is read for the third time. It’s about slowing down enough to notice these moments of warmth and togetherness.
And this turning inward isn’t permanent. It’s a pause—a chance to rest and recharge so we can carry strength forward. With that strength comes more light. In fact, the light is already returning.
However you’re marking these winter days, I hope you’re surrounded by warmth and the people you love.
In warmth and solidarity,
Marianna
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