Congregation Beth Emeth

As we see world events unfolding, at Brown, in California, Australia, and the Netherlands, we remember the words of Al Hanissim inserted into the Amidah and Birchat HaMazon during Hanukkah: "You stood by them (the Maccabees) in the time of their distress. You waged their battles, defended their rights, and avenged the wrong done to them. You delivered the mighty into the hands of the weak, the many into the hands of the few, the impure into the hands of the pure, the wicked into the hands of the righteous."

We similarly pray that God will be with the victims, their families, their communities, and with us. Hanukkah is the holiday of rededication. Let us rededicate ourselves to the courage and faith shown by our ancestors as we meet the eternal darkness with our eternal light.

As Jewish communities around the world mourn and react, CBE thanks those who have been a light and support to our local community. In particular, we appreciate the quick outreach and frequent presence from the Fairfax County Police Department.