Many bright lights illuminated the darkness when we gathered with the Ohel Hachidusch community on the third night of Chanukah. Latkes were enjoyed, dreidels were spun, the temple band was in top form and we learned new songs like the Ladino Ocho Kandelikas. Discussions of politics were left outside in the darkness.
The soft glow of the Chanukah candles brings a moment of peace or joy even in the most difficult of times. Rituals can feel stale or vibrant, depending on the people you are with and the meaning you invest in them. I still miss listening to my father sing the Chanukah prayers and cannot do even a close approximation of his tone and cadence. Our kids have added their own special meaning to Chanukah with projects like The Not So Ugly Menorah. But with no children at home for Chanukah’s relatively early timing this year, having a community to celebrate with has helped to illuminate these dark days and times. The brightest lights are often the people with whom we share a sense of community and history.
Donna Swarthout 
What a lovely message!!
Of course we missed seeing you and Gerd!
We missed you as well. Talk soon.
The lights are beautiful. Happy Chanukah. I miss you. Mike
>
I miss you too, Mike. I know it’s time for a chat.
Hi, Donna –
I enjoyed the lovely photo and your comments about Hannukah. I hope you are and your family are all well and still enjoying Berlin. My book entitled All for You: A World War II Family Memoir of Love, Separation, and Loss is coming out May 7, 2024. If you go on Amazon.de and put in “All for You” and my name (Dena Rueb Romero) you should be able to find it. My essay in A Place They Called Home is listed as a previous publication in my bio. I am grateful that I could participate in your project about reclaiming German citizenship. Wishing you all the best,
Dena
Wonderful to hear from you, Dena, and happy to hear that your book will be published soon. Congratulations on such a huge accomplishment. Another memoir you might be interested in is Shattered Stars, Healing Hearts: Unraveling My Father’s Holocaust Survival Story
by Irene Stern Frielich. I wrote a blurb for it and can highly recommend it. Happy Hanukkah and many warm wishes to you and yours, Donna
This is beautiful and your words are much needed. Thank you