You are the Light of the World

This blog post was written by Micaela Hidalgo, a 2025/26 Fellow in Rishon LeZion

This is my first time traveling to Israel, and even in the midst of war, I have witnessed the glow of life amongst Israelis. It is true—the Jewish light never goes out. With this truth in mind, I want to first say, Happy Hanukkah!

Let us take a moment to commemorate the courageous acts of the Jewish community that we remember each year during Hanukkah. We begin in 167 BCE with King Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175–164 BCE). “King Antiochus issued a proclamation that his entire kingdom should be united as one people and that each nation should renounce its own customs. The Gentiles accepted this command of the king, and many Israelites also willingly began following his religion. They offered sacrifices to idols and no longer observed the Sabbath. The king sent messengers with letters to Jerusalem and to all the towns of Judea, ordering the people to follow the foreign customs of his kingdom. He banned burnt offerings, sacrifices, and Libations/poured offerings  in the Temple. Critically, he prohibited keeping the Sabbath and celebrating religious festivals. He defiled the Temple and the priests. He ordered altars, temples, and idols to be built, and pigs and other “unclean” animals to be ceremonially sacrificed.” (1Maccabees 1:41-47).

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A revolt arose under the leadership of Mattathias the Hasmonean and his sons, the Maccabees. Later, Judah Maccabee stepped forward as the leader of the Jewish people, telling them… “Prepare yourselves and be brave. Be ready early in the morning to fight these Gentiles, for they want to destroy us and our Temple. It is better for us to die in battle than to see the ruin of our nation and our Temple. May God’s will be done.”

Can you imagine yourself as a Maccabee? You have the ability and agency to act in a courageous manner. Would you be the person who refuses to let their light die. 

Daybreak found Judah on the plain with three thousand men, but they lacked the armor and swords they needed. They saw that the camp of the Gentiles was well fortified, with men wearing body armor and horsemen patrolling it. These were trained soldiers. But Judah told his soldiers, “Don’t be frightened by their numbers. Don’t flinch at their attack. Remember how our ancestors were saved at the Red Sea when Pharaoh pursued them with his army. Now let us call upon God with the hope that he will think of us, remembering his covenant with our ancestors, and that he will destroy this army facing us today. Then all the Gentiles will know that there is one who redeems and rescues Israel.” (1Maccabees 4:6-11)

What followed was extraordinary. The Jewish people faced one of the greatest armies of their time, overcame overwhelming odds, and rededicated the Temple to their God. After twenty-five years of struggle, an autonomous Jewish kingdom was established. The light burned once again in the Temple, and the light within the people was never extinguished. This truth still resonates today.

Fast forwarding to the present day, and looking at my own personal experiences, I find myself in Israel. I volunteer at five placements in Rishon LeZion, and I can tell you first hand that the light in the children I work with shines so bright. I see it in those that greet me  every morning with a joyful “Good Morning!!!” I feel it when I hear my name  called across the playground, followed by a running hug that almost knocks me to the floor. Even on the

streets of Ramat Eliyahu I experience the light in every-day interactions. Buying bread for example, where I see the sparkling light in the smile of a baker. After two months of struggling to order challot in Hebrew, I finally learned how to say the right phrases to this baker. I wish you could have seen the way he lit up when he heard my first flawless Hebrew order!

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My original mission in coming to Israel was to add value, and to be a light. Even in the midst of war, I wanted to make the effort to bring energy, and to use a smile to share this light. What I have come to realize though, is that the light is already here, and I have the incredible privilege of adding more into the community I support. I remain deeply inspired by the strength and resilience of the people of Israel. It reminds me to live boldly. They may try to shake you, but because of the light within you, you will prevail over any darkness. Just as the Maccabees did not reject the voice of their God, I encourage you to listen to the voice of God. I believe that the everlasting light is provided by Him.