Floor SpeechNeutral2024-12-10

THE SACRED LIGHTS OF CHANUKAH

Foreign PolicyIsraelInfrastructure

Context

On 2024-12-10, Representative Jennifer A. Kiggans (R-VA-2) delivered a floor speech titled "THE SACRED LIGHTS OF CHANUKAH" in the House. The speech addressed foreign policy and also covered Israel, infrastructure.

Full Text

THE SACRED LIGHTS OF CHANUKAH

Congressional Record, Volume 170 Issue 183 (Tuesday, December 10, 2024) [Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 183 (Tuesday, December 10, 2024)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E1249-E1250] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] THE SACRED LIGHTS OF CHANUKAH ______ HON. JENNIFER A. KIGGANS of virginia in the house of representatives Tuesday, December 10, 2024 Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a poem submitted at the request of a Virginia Beach constituent, Rabbi Dr. Israel Zoberman of Temple Lev Tikvah, and are a reflection of his views: The Sacred Lights of Chanukah The fragile yet formidable Chanukah candles We tenderly lit, daringly defy the suffocating Darkness around us and in us, Soothing and softening, we pray, all who Their magic of evoked memories of elation And trepidation with oil--dripping levivot (Potato pancakes) for expectant levavot (Hearts) while partaking of sustaining sweet Sufganiyot (donuts) to counteract the bitterness Of previous and following defeats, Celebrating a temporary victory before the Hasmonians' intra-feuds hastened the demise Of short-lived Jewish sovereignty with warning Lessons for the contemporary scene of mounting Extremism and spreading strife, With hostages in death-filled Gaza darkness Still-second Chanukah's Festival of Lights In captivity, how tragically ironic!--desperately Yearning for liberating light lagging too long Behind and may not come, and for too many Their wondrous light already snuffed out by Those adoring the dark with the candle of each Unique life burning down before its time and Forever lost is that consecrated inner oil, Though only we, today's brave Maccabees, Possess the priestly power to extinguish [[Page E1250]] The miracle of the bright Chanukia (menorah) Embedded deep within us. Rabbi Dr. Israel Zoberman is the founder of Temple Lev Tikvah in Virginia Beach. Kazakhstan's only born rabbi, he is the son of Polish Holocaust Survivors and spent his early childhood in transit and DP Camps in Austria and Germany. He grew up in Haifa, Israel. ____________________

View original source →

THE SACRED LIGHTS OF CHANUKAH Congressional Record, Volume 170 Issue 183 (Tuesday, December 10, 2024) [Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 183 (Tuesday, December 10, 2024)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E1249-E1250] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] THE SACRED LIGHTS OF CHANUKAH ______ HON. JENNIFER A. KIGGANS of virginia in the house of representatives Tuesday, December 10, 2024 Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a poem submitted at the request of a Virginia Beach constituent, Rabbi Dr. Israel Zoberman of Temple Lev Tikvah, and are a reflection of his views: The Sacred Lights of Chanukah The fragile yet formidable Chanukah candles We tenderly lit, daringly defy the suffocating Darkness around us and in us, Soothing and softening, we pray, all who Their magic of evoked memories of elation And trepidation with oil--dripping levivot (Potato pancakes) for expectant levavot (Hearts) while partaking of sustaining sweet Sufganiyot (donuts) to counteract the bitterness Of previous and following defeats, Celebrating a temporary victory before the Hasmonians' intra-feuds hastened the demise Of short-lived Jewish sovereignty with warning Lessons for the contemporary scene of mounting Extremism and spreading strife, With hostages in death-filled Gaza darkness Still-second Chanukah's Festival of Lights In captivity, how tragically ironic!--desperately Yearning for liberating light lagging too long Behind and may not come, and for too many Their wondrous light already snuffed out by Those adoring the dark with the candle of each Unique life burning down before its time and Forever lost is that consecrated inner oil, Though only we, today's brave Maccabees, Possess the priestly power to extinguish [[Page E1250]] The miracle of the bright Chanukia (menorah) Embedded deep within us. Rabbi Dr. Israel Zoberman is the founder of Temple Lev Tikvah in Virginia Beach. Kazakhstan's only born rabbi, he is the son of Polish Holocaust Survivors and spent his early childhood in transit and DP Camps in Austria and Germany. He grew up in Haifa, Israel. ____________________