The menorah sparkled a little brighter this year, either to give more hope for a brighter future or because I bought longer, fancier candles. Drawing us close together, the lights remind me of the many ways my family lit up my life throughout the year. But the flames also beckon us to help light the way for others, as Berlin’s thousands of volunteers are doing through their refugee relief efforts. I borrowed former President Bush’s term “points of light” to describe these volunteers in my recent article, The Women’s Room, for the Jewish Women’s Archive.
Happy Chanukah and thanks to my kids for being such incredibly wacky, funny, and bright lights in my life. I don’t think I’ll ever be ready for 2016, the year our first-born child will leave home for college. But I have no doubt that he and his siblings will make the world a brighter place wherever they may go.
Donna Swarthout 
Wonderful lights, beautiful candles, touching article about the “Frauenzimmer” and a precious family. Where is Avery going to study? Best wishes to all of you and a happy 8th day of Hanukkah, Etha
ken yehi ratzon … thank you for these wonderful words
We very much missed lighting the candles with the Ohelistas. Sorry we did not make it to Gatow for Chanukah! Avery has just sent his application to 5 schools in the UK and may also apply in Germany. We will keep you posted!