Community message
- Published
- Community Message
LET THE LIGHT OF CHANUKAH LIFT US ALL
As we welcome Chanukah, we celebrate achievement, uplift one another and protect what matters most.
Dear friends,
SHARE THE LIGHT
Chanukah is here!
Tonight, we will light the first candle, bite into our first latke and spin our first sevivon/dreidl.
Over the coming eight nights, I want to encourage you to share the Chanukah light. One of the most meaningful lessons of Chanukah is finding ways to use the candlelight to uplift others.
It is a tradition to light the menorah in a windowsill or other prominent spot so that anyone walking past shares in the beautiful gift of light.
Some of our shuls will set up menorahs in the most public places to share the light with hundreds or even thousands of people. From Federation Square to Elwood Beach, from Glenferrie Road Malvern to Caulfield Racecourse – we will share the light of Chanukah.
Take your kids and grandkids, invite your non-Jewish friends, and attend some of these Chanukah events so that we can share the light with as many people as possible.
SPOTLIGHT ON OUR YOUNG ACHIEVERS
During this week, many of our senior Jewish students received their VCE results. It has been a delight seeing videos and posts on social media noting the achievements of our amazing local Jewish schools.
These schools and the achievements of all of their students – whether academic, artistic, sporting or through acts of kindness – are a source of pride for our whole Jewish community.
The JCCV counts Bialik College, King David School, Leibler Yavneh College, Mount Scopus Memorial College, Sholem Aleichem College and UJEB among our member organisations. I want to congratulate all of our students on their progress, commitment and dedication. We cannot wait to see how you use your talents to make our world a better place.
CHILD SAFETY: A GUIDING LIGHT
Finally, I would like to note that Velvel Serebryanski was found guilty in the County Court of four counts of sexual assault against a child in the 1990s. Our thoughts this week are with his victim, Manny Waks, a tireless campaigner against child abuse.
This is a timely reminder, as many JCCV member organisation plan children’s activities over Chanukah and the school holidays, that we all have very serious obligations to protect all children.
If you or your organisation needs support to meet these obligations, please contact the JCCV office, and we can connect you to relevant services.
