With Hanukkah only a few weeks away, my family and I are discussing how to celebrate this year because of the events in the Middle East. 

Normally, we would celebrate Hanukkah with our family latke night, where the smell of oil permeates the house, and we eat half of the latkes before they hit the platter for our family Hanukkah dinner.   

This year is just different.  We will still have our family celebration, and we will always celebrate the miracle of Hanukkah, but we will also say prayers to remember the hostages and all of the families who have been forever changed by the events of October 7th.  

The Israeli people have shown an unwavering love for their country and their citizens.  Israel has chosen to support the hostages and their families by fighting for what is right.  It’s amazing that a small state the size of New Jersey is single-handedly defending itself against multiple hostile neighbors.  

Our hope is that the Jewish people can celebrate future holidays in peace without war, never forgetting this hatred but using it to catapult change among countries in the Middle East.