Lights amid war

In Clifton, New Jersey, the matter of decorating for Hanukkah was troubling Steve Goldberg: Should he display multiple menorahs in his front window or just one massive enough to catch everybody's attention?

Meanwhile, Janet Hod's impressive outdoor Hanukkah display at her Teaneck, New Jersey, home came bigger and earlier in the season than usual, a defiant response to local protests of Israel's actions in Gaza.

"There's too much rage out there, and we need to remove that from the world," she said. "I want to show everyone that even if we are different, we can live together and appreciate each other's differences. We need to spread the light."

After the Oct. 7 terror attack by Hamas on Israel and reports of rising antisemitism around the globe, the first night of Hanukkah carries an extra resonance for the Jewish community. The annual festival of lights begins at sundown Thursday and brings with it complex feelings: While some Jews are concerned that celebrations during such a painful period are insensitive, other observers are embracing a moment for solidarity and resilience.

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