“This people of mine, this nation of mine, has been such a light to me.”
This week, as Jews around the world celebrate the eight days of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, these words are fitting, aren’t they?
“In this holiday of lights, I just wish for one miracle. For the hostages to come home and the war to end…”
These words, spoken with both sadness and hope, perfectly summarize how all of us here in the Holy Land are feeling, as we enter the holiday season.
With Hanukkah this year coming at the same time as Christmas, it is a wonderful reminder for us all—Christians and Jews— that God’s light continues to shine through the darkness, and He continues to perform wondrous miracles which we still witness, and pray for, each day.
While Hanukkah commemorates the miracle of oil that lasted for eight days, it also celebrates the miraculous victory of a small rag-tag group of Jews, known as the Maccabees, over a much more powerful enemy who was trying to destroy their faith. The story of Hanukkah is a story of survival. It’s a story of heroism. And it’s a story of miraculous victory—of light over darkness, freedom over oppression.
This season of light and miracles is also a poignant reminder that the people of Israel are now more than 400 days into a battle for our very survival. Like last year, we observe Hanukkah against a backdrop of war, suffering, and loss. And as we have for thousands of years, we continue to defend our land and our faith, and trust that God will bless us with victory. With survival.
This Hanukkah, I want to share with you eight incredible stories of Jewish heroes whose lives have inspired and encouraged me during this season of darkness. All eight of their stories bring light to the darkness, and the miracles they experienced bring me hope this Hanukkah. I pray they will bring you light and hope, too.
Today, I share with you the compelling story of a young Israeli woman who on the morning of Oct. 7, 2023, wanted nothing more than to celebrate life. And, in what can only be described as a miracle of redemption, this young woman survived a brutal terrorist attack and has continued to fight against the darkness of terrorism.
Like many other young Israelis, the 23-year-old Noa Kalash headed to the desert of southern Israel near Gaza for the Nova music festival on Oct. 6, 2023. The plan was to arrive at the festival at sunrise on Oct. 7 to experience the peak of the festival. As Noa says, they had 20 minutes of pure happiness, as they joined the throng of other young Israelis in the breaking dawn, dancing and celebrating life.
Then the terror began. Amidst the chaos of a heavy rocket barrage from Gaza, Noa and her friends hurried to their cars to leave the area. That’s when they realized this was more than just a rocket attack. Terrorists were shooting into cars randomly, killing all in their sights.
Without thinking, Noa’s friend stopped the car, grabbed her arm, and the two fled into the nearest bush they could find. There, they huddled silently for eight hours, listening to the terrorists hunting for more civilians, firing into every bush – except for, miraculously, the one where Noa and her friend were hiding.
Noa recalls thinking, “I had a very strong belief that I would survive that day and that I would end up that day in my own bed, hugging my own family.” Eventually, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) arrived and rescued them. By the end of the day, Noa was reunited with her father.
In the days following her miraculous rescue, Noa learned that two of her friends were killed, and a third, Romi Gonen, was taken hostage. Romi is still in Gaza today. Today, Noa has dedicated her life to shedding light on the darkness of that day by sharing her story and the stories of her friends. She fights for the redemption of those still held hostage in Gaza like her friend Romi.
During this season of Hanukkah, Noa is so grateful for the support, both emotionally and financially, that she and other Nova survivors have received from the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. She is grateful for the miracles that she experienced that horrendous day.
Just as the Maccabees sought redemption from oppression, Noa’s hope this Hanukkah season is for another miracle. “In this holiday of lights, I just wish for one miracle – for all the hostages to return home as soon as possible. We all deserve this redemption,” she says.
Noa’s story is a poignant reminder that the people of Israel continue to suffer as they fight against the darkness of terrorism. Now more than ever, they need your prayers and support. During this holiest time of year, I ask our Christian friends continue to light the way ahead for their Jewish brothers and sisters. Together, like the Maccabees, we can overcome our enemies and conquer darkness with the light of faith.
Yael Eckstein is President and CEO of The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, one of the world's largest religious charitable organizations. The Jerusalem Post's 2023 Humanitarian Award recipient and 4-time honoree on its 50 Most Influential Jews list, Yael is a Chicago-area native based in Israel with her husband and their four children.