As we light the candles this Chanukah season, we recall a story as old as time: one of resilience, courage and triumph. Chanukah is not just a celebration of miracles but of determination—of a small group of Maccabees who stood up to defend Jewish life and faith when both were under threat. It is a story as relevant today as it was 2,000 years ago.
This Chanukah, as we gather in synagogues, community centers and homes to celebrate, the light of our candles will shine as a symbol of Jewish pride and survival. But as recent events continue to remind us, we cannot take this safety for granted. Today, we need Maccabees of a different kind: trained, vigilant volunteers who stand guard to protect our community. This is the mission of the Community Security Service (CSS), the national Jewish defense and security agency.
Throughout Jewish history, holidays like Chanukah have been both moments of joy and vulnerability. In 1938, during the rise of Nazi Germany, Jewish families lit their menorahs with trepidation, aware that a simple display of their faith could bring violence to their doors. A famous photograph from that time shows a lit menorah placed defiantly in a window facing a Nazi flag—a powerful reminder that Jewish pride and Jewish caution often go hand in hand.
Centuries earlier, during the Crusades, Jewish communities faced attacks during holiday gatherings. Their enemies knew that holidays brought Jewish families together in celebration, making them more visible—and more vulnerable. For generations, Jewish life has often meant balancing joy with vigilance.
Even in recent years, this reality has not disappeared. The tragic attack on a Chanukah celebration in Monsey, N.Y., in December 2019, when a knife-wielding attacker killed one and injured several others, showed us how celebrations of faith can still be targeted. Across Europe, public menorah-lightings have faced threats and vandalism, forcing organizers to increase security measures or reconsider their public presence.
Chanukah is a time to stand proudly as Jews. And it is also a time to recognize that ensuring the safety of those celebrations requires preparation, vigilance and action.
The eight-day holiday teaches us that a small, determined group can make a monumental difference. The Maccabees were not the strongest army, nor the most experienced; they were ordinary people who stood up because they had to. At CSS, our volunteers embody that same spirit. They are teachers, parents, professionals and students who dedicate their time to learning the skills necessary to protect Jewish lives, to defend Jewish communities and to empower Jews to see security as our own responsibility. They are you.
There is a certain kind of joy that comes with feeling safe—walking into a synagogue without hesitation, sending children to school without worry and gathering as a community to celebrate publically. This joy is not something we can take for granted; it must be earned through action and commitment.
For many communities today, that safety is made possible by the quiet, determined efforts of volunteers who stand guard, often unseen, at the entrances of Jewish institutions and events. These volunteers—ordinary people with extraordinary dedication—are our modern-day guardians. They are the ones who allow us to celebrate without fear.
In a world where threats to Jewish life persist, Chanukah reminds us of our responsibility to defend the light. The Maccabees understood that survival required action. They did not wait for miracles; they made miracles happen.
This Chanukah, consider what it means to be a Maccabee today. It means stepping up, taking responsibility and ensuring that no family ever has to think twice about celebrating their faith openly and proudly.
You don’t need to be a soldier to be a Maccabee. You can be a teacher, a business person, a student or a retiree. You can volunteer, you can learn, and you can support those who do. Every contribution—whether of time, resources or expertise—makes a difference.
This year, as you light the menorah, take a moment to reflect on what those lights represent: hope, resilience and pride. And as you look at those flames, ask yourself: What can I do to protect this light?