Israelis gathered once more on Thursday night within the Tel Aviv sq. the place for 2 months protesters have referred to as for the discharge of hostages in Gaza, however this time they got here to mark the beginning of Hanukkah.
Holding indicators that bore the faces of the 138 folks nonetheless held hostage and carrying T-shirts, necklaces and yellow bracelets that demanded “carry them residence now,” the attendees stated this yr’s Hanukkah was not a vacation to remain residence, however one to assemble and help each other.
“Maybe there’s one thing within the energy of getting collectively,” Julia Ferment stated. “Maybe a few of this power, this energy, will get to them.”
Relations of hostages, teams of pals and troopers huddled quietly near an extended desk with 138 candles, one for every lacking beloved one. Members of the family and pals have been invited to gentle the yellow candles. Afterward they have been embraced as they moved to the entrance of the gang.
The Hanukkah blessings, which in Jewish custom are repeated on eight nights, held a brand new which means for the tons of that sang alongside, some with tears of their eyes, some with their eyes sealed shut, palms on coronary heart.
A number of miles south in Ramla, one other group of Israelis gathered to mark the start of the vacation at a military base. The reservists, many with graying hair and households again residence, delighted to search out conventional Hanukkah pastries — jelly doughnuts referred to as sufganiyot — ready for them after they walked into the warehouse for dinner. One other reservist had simply proudly sprinkled powder sugar on prime of the pastries.
Rabbi Arie Levin, a father of 11 who often works in Tel Aviv, gathered the group across the desk holding the doughnuts and a menorah. There’s a whole lot of darkness, he stated, then pointed on the menorah, and right here’s somewhat gentle. He lit a candle.
It was the third time he had lit a menorah that night time. He had already finished candles with one other group of troopers on the opposite facet of the bottom and with a bunch of people that have been dwelling in a Tel Aviv resort, displaced from their houses within the north and the south of Israel. Quickly, he would depart the military base to journey again residence and be part of the households of hostages for one more candle lighting at a synagogue.
When the menorah was lit in Ramla, the troopers danced to a conventional Hanukkah tune. In Tel Aviv, the air was nonetheless when the candles have been aflame. Nearly instantly, a voice behind the gang began the mantra that has echoed on this sq. for greater than 60 days.
“Now, now, now, now,” the folks stated.
