We are at the early days of the 8 days of Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights. I enjoy Hanukkah because it is a holiday celebrating the power of faith.

Unfortunately, Hanukkah got off to a bad start this year with an apparently antisemetic mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration in Bondi Beach in Australia. My heart goes out to the families who lost loved ones or who have people in the hospital recovering from the shooting. I am encouraged by the politicians who are responding by talking about increasing gun regulations in Australia, which already has much stronger gun laws than we do in the US.

So today’s song isn’t a Hanukkah song per se. It’s by an American Jewish rapper/rock/reggae musician who goes by the name of Matisyahu. But to me, it draws upon the faith that underlies Hanukkah about creating a future it is hard to see in this moment.

I hope you are motivated by it. Happy Hanukkah to those who celebrate it. And may we all keep the faith.