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My family always takes a few minutes on New Year’s Eve to go around the table and share our highlights from the past year, the challenges we feel we’ve overcome, and our hopes, dreams, and goals for the upcoming one. Tonight, I’m sure that as we reflect on this past year, Ella will talk about getting her driver’s license, Kayla will share about the music concerts she attended, Rebecca will mention some of her dance team successes, Julia will reflect on the incredible work she’s done with JLIS (Jewish Leaders in Schools) here in Los Angeles, and I’ll talk about my excitement around my new role at Wilshire Boulevard Temple. And I know that our evening will include reflections about the state of the world, Israel, and the Jewish people.
At the start of 2024, we were only a few months into the Gaza war and still feeling the sharp and fresh wounds and losses of Oct. 7. As we come to the end of the year, we have witnessed the crushing of Hamas leadership, the crippling of Hezbollah, and the fall of the Assad regime in Syria. Israel may continue to confront threats from all sides but there remains a deep sense of hope. The biggest cloud over our heads, however, is the remaining hostages still in captivity. They need to come home NOW!
It is extremely rare to begin and end a year with Chanukah, but this year, we are lucky enough to enter 2025 by celebrating the final nights of the holiday. Tonight, my family will stand around the chanukiah, light the candles, sing the prayers, and offer a l’chaim to a new year brightened by the light, hope, and optimism of our tradition. It is a light that has sustained the Jewish people for thousands of years and it is my prayer that 2025 brings light to Israel, the Jewish people, the United States of America, our Wilshire Boulevard Temple community, and to you.
Happy New Year!
Sincerely,
Rabbi Joel Nickerson
