Set aside world issues for now and help the lonely, poor and hurting in Beaufort County

As we approach the winter solstice and Christmas and reach the conclusion of Hanukkah, it is time to express thanks for many things in life. This year I have a double thanksgiving to the towns of Hilton Head and Bluffton, including elected officials and staff.

We had two separate town-sponsored celebrations of Hanukkah in both communities. For the Jewish community in the Lowcountry, it was a blessing to behold how we could all work together and receive the support of town officials in both communities to organize and present the Hanukkah lighting of the menorah along with music, dance and, of course, latkes (potato pancakes) and other treats in a safe and positive outdoor environment.

For the Jewish community, these kinds of jointly sponsored holidays just like the towns do with Christmas celebrations sends a great message that all are welcome and, in particular, what a warm and beautiful sense of support from other faith traditions who joined us and shared our happiness.

Clearly, despite all the celebrations, we cannot overlook that we are engaged in battle for not just freedom but for Jewish survival against Hamas. So this Hanukkah was cast in a different light for world Jewry. Many Jewish people are feeling the darkness that war inevitably brings, but at the same time that solidarity which is critical during these times helps immeasurably to support Israel. Remember this holiday is all about an ancient struggle against the Greek Seleucid empire in 165 BCE for religious freedom. Hanukkah fits into our American ethos about how important religious freedom is as a core value in our society.

Besides American and Jewish concerns about the war in Gaza, we also see the extent of prejudice against the Jewish people which has shown its ugly head over the last two months. We have read and watched videos of protests and demonstrations against the state of Israel and on behalf of Israel as well as for the Palestinian people.

As elite university presidents equivocated in front of Congress about whether or not calling for the genocide of the Jews or the destruction of Israel is wrong or not and generally answered, “It depends on the context?” I don’t know whether to feel anger or just simple pity for so-called brilliant people who embarrass themselves and the universities they represent.

Yet, I realize that those kinds of emotions that percolate inside us might be better off remaining suppressed for the holiday season. While the political pressure increases to compel Israel to cease fire, will we ever hear those same voices demand that Hamas release hostages and surrender so that this war can truly conclude? Is it time to pray that Hamas does what is right for their people before they think about themselves?

It is not just the Middle East but causes around the world like Ukraine still are calling out to us for support as they defend themselves against Russia and Putin. Where is the moral courage for us to stand up to this foe of the United States? Are their lives less valuable than others?

I know that there are countless issues that pile up in our minds and that we just feel like throwing these issues out the door. The holiday season should be about our faith traditions and our coming together within families and friends to solidify relationships, reaffirm our connections to each other and put all the other issues on the back burner for a few days.

So let us refocus for a few days this time and enjoy each other’s company. Let us eat and rejoice with loved ones. And how about having a project for the entire family to do something sacred for folks who do not have the blessings of family or for those who have family but not the wherewithal to feed them? How about feeding the poor and giving to charities that deserve our attention? Just because we can put on hold the issues that stir our passions in the world today does not exempt us from making a difference in our society today. Isn’t that what our respective religions teach us?

I am confidant that God will give us a pass from worrying and aggravating ourselves on the hot issues of the world for a few days. But do we get a pass from helping those inside our own community who are in need of humanity and those who are lonely that could benefit from a helping hand or just a phone call to see how they are doing and know we have not forgotten them? How hard is that to do God’s work? Let’s focus on gratitude in mind and in deed.

Shalom to all.