Light and Resilience: A Hanukkah reflection after Bondi Beach

Hanukkah is often remembered as a story of victory, but the Talmud asks a deeper question: “Mai Hanukkah?” What is Hanukkah really about?  And it answers: not power, but light; a single cruse of oil that should not have lasted, yet did.

That matters in the wake of the attack at Bondi Beach.

Jewish tradition never denies darkness. It acknowledges fear, grief, and anger; but insists they are not the final word. Our response is not denial or despair, but action.

Proverbs teaches: “The righteous fall seven times and rise again.”

Resilience in Judaism is not about never falling. It is about choosing to rise.

And that resilience is collective. After trauma, the question is not only, “How do I endure?” but “What responsibility do I carry for others?”

This is arevut, mutual responsibility.

For Jewish business leaders, that responsibility shows up in how we lead: creating stability when there is fear, acting with integrity when trust is shaken, and supporting those who feel vulnerable: employees, colleagues, and community.

Hanukkah teaches that light is increased one candle at a time. No one is asked to illuminate everything, only to add what they can. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks reminded us that hope is not optimism; it is the courage to act when outcomes are uncertain.

We light Hanukkah candles at night, when they are most needed. After an attack meant to spread fear, continuing to live, lead, and build with Jewish values is itself an act of resilience.

We acknowledge the darkness.

We refuse to surrender to it.

And together, we add light.

Chag Hanukkah Sameach

Jamie/Rabbi Jamie