T is for Tragedies and Transformations

December 14, 2025

“Look at how a single candle can both defy and define the darkness.”

~ Anne Frank

Happy Hanukkah!

And tears and rage for the anti-semitism and other “othering” cruelties that are persisting across our globe. On the eve of the Festival of Lights, here in the US at Brown University, a gunman fired upon a classroom that was reviewing material for an exam. While we know few details, the class was taught by a Jewish professor who teaches Jewish studies. Two people died, nine were injured.

In Australia at Bondi Beach, fifteen people were killed by gunshots from a father and son, and over three dozen have been hospitalized. The shooters targeted Jewish people celebrating Hanukkah.

Welcome, again, to our “brutiful” world, a word used by author and activist Glennon Doyle to describe the nature of humanity - both beautiful and brutal.

It feels like the brutal side of humanity is getting the most attention today. Our wounds are laid open every day - the cruelties perpetrated against others based on religion, race, country of origin, gender and gender expression. How are we to make progress, moving the needle toward kindness, compassion, celebration of differences, justice? How are we to carry these burdens, as the victims and the witnesses? What are we to do?

My heart is heavy.

And so, I remember Hanukkah, being celebrated tonight by my son, his wife, and their two children, along with millions across the world. Hanukkah is a celebration of persistence, of surviving and thriving with light and joy even when faced with loss and hardship. The eight days of candle-lighting provide reminders that we humans can continue to move ahead even in the darkness. We have what we need.

How?

Faith, friendship and fellowship, acts of generosity, welcoming of strangers, shoulders for the grieving to cry on, sharing of food and other material goods, celebration of life.

When I taught religious education, I participated in the Coming of Age rituals for 13 year old youth, recognizing their emerging maturity. One part of the Coming of Age rituals was attending houses of worship of many different faith traditions - Hindu, Jewish, Catholic and Protestant churches of all kinds, Muslim. An important aspect of our faith tradition was fostering respect among our youth (well, among all members) for people representing all faith and belief traditions, even atheism. We approached these studies with curiosity about how humans find meaning in their lives, how they perceive and approach the divine, how they celebrate life passages, how their values and beliefs honor living beings, including humans, the earth, and all life in between. All of this was preparation for being a loving member of humanity, a true global citizen.

As an adult who participated in the youths’ Coming of Age activities, I learned so much from the lessons, the interactions with people of many faiths, and, most precious of all, watching the expanding hearts and minds, the openness and respectful curiousity, of our young ones.

I remind myself of this potential and commit to nurturing my own openness and curiosity and capacity for love. And I remember the words of two wise theologians:

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

~ Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King

And on this night of sadness and celebration, these words:

“There are three ways to mourn. The first is to cry, the second is to grow silent, and the third is to transform sorrow into song.”

~ Rabbi Abraham Heschel

May we persist in our efforts to transform darkness, pain, and tragedy into light, love, and song.

Here is a photo I shot today, the morning of transformation of our local community by snowfall - a tiny menorah (minus one candle!) on the side of Mingo Creek.