Hanukkah
The candles that burn during the Jewish festival of Hanukkah--starting this year on the night of Dec. 26--commemorate two miracles: first, the victory of the small band of Jews led by Judah Maccabee who recaptured Jewish independence from the mighty Greco-Syrian empire; second, the burning for eight days of the tiny cruse of oil used to relight the Temple menorah after the victory.
At this festive season, it is appropriate to remember another small band of Jews who are courageously resisting the oppression of a mighty empire. Like the ancient Maccabees, Soviet prisoners of conscience like Yosef Begun and Ari Volvovsky and Refuseniks like Ida Nudel and Vladimire Slepak persevere in their determination to reclaim their cultural heritage and to emigrate to Israel or other countries where Jewish living is possible.
Jews everywhere pray that these spiritual Maccabees will one day soon light the candles of Hanukkah in freedom.
CATHY R. MENDELSON
President Los Angeles Chapter
American Jewish Committee
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