"Not by Might, nor by Power, but by my Spirit".

Prophet Zechariah

Wish you, your families and loved ones, 

"Chag urim Sameach"! May this festival of lights remove the darkness and fill our life with Light!

During Hanukkah, a sacred season when we light candles to dispel darkness and affirm the enduring power of faith, courage, and hope, I write with a heart that is both heavy and resolute.

This holy time, meant for joy and renewal, has been overshadowed by a cowardly attack on innocent people who gathered to celebrate Hanukkah and instead lost their lives. Such violence wounds not only families and communities, but our shared humanity.

Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has rightly warned that these acts are “pervasive, systematic, planned out, orchestrated,” representing a “very, very serious global threat across multinational organizations, media across the globe and adversaries and terrorist organizations.” Antisemitism is not isolated—it is intentional, organized, and dangerous.

There is no room for antisemitism or hatred of any kind. Yet even in darkness, light emerges. I am deeply moved by the brave individual who risked his own life to disarm the gunmen. This is what humanity calls us to do: to save, not kill; to stand up, not back away.

Hanukkah reminds us that light, when courageously kindled, can overcome great darkness. To our Jewish brothers and sisters: you are not alone. Your dignity, safety, and freedom are inseparable from the values that bind us all.

As we light the Menorah, may we recommit ourselves to confronting hatred and affirming our shared humanity.

We are One Human Family.

With solidarity and respect,

Bawa Jain