December Round 2 - Spreading the Light
Lights from the Chanukah menorah #artsy (Thanks Pexels for your photos!)
“Puerto Rico is without electricity. Chanukah is about spreading the light. Luz is our registrar, and her name means “light” in Spanish. Is there anything more poetic?”
Luz was one of the first people I met at my new job. She was kind, welcoming, and helped me with my Spanish (and still does!). She quickly stood out as someone who gives a lot, showing up to work around 6 a.m. and often staying late to interact with families during events. She's from Puerto Rico. Her mom is still there.
After the hurricane devastated the island, I'd ask about her family and what was happening. She'd talk about the loss of electricity and how it affected things like refrigeration and hospitals. She'd say, "10 days without light. 25 days without light. 40 days without light. 73 days without light."
I recently went to a Chanukah service. The Rabbi talked about the Menorah (the nine-branched candelabrum) and the helper candle, called the shamash. You ignite it first, and use its flame to fuel the other candles. She explained how the shamash spreads the light, and we need people in the world to do the same.
Luz is one of those people. Her name, in Spanish, actually means light, which I think is amazing. She sends batteries and food to her family. She also has been working with a pastor in Puerto Rico to get supplies and gifts for children. This donation empowers her to do more of that work, spreading her light even further.
— Dan Marion, Project Lead