In a small suburb of Brussels in middle of World War II, there was a small Jewish baby boy, only a year and a half old, this baby boy was alone.
His parents were in hiding, underground, among members of the resistance His mother was in hiding, underground, among members of resistance while his father was deported to the Auschwitz concentration camp.
The boy was slated to be deported, joining countless others, in a journey to certain death.
With great determination, the Mayor of this Brussel's suburb decided otherwise. Instead of letting this child be taken, he used his influence to create a false retroactive birth record. The little Jewish baby was listed on paper as a member of the Mayor's own family!
The Mayor's daughter Elisabeth and her husband Charles raised this boy as their own. For the next five years, they became his devoted mother and father.
After the war, when the child's own parents miraculously returned, the little boy then had two fathers and two mothers!
For the rest of his life, Yosef Yisrael and Cecyla, Elisabeth and Charles were his parents.
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The little boy is now a grandfather living in Cascais, not far from the site of the Menorah.
The Cascais Menorah, standing proudly in its place of honor, is dedicated in loving memory of these four extraordinary parents.
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Chanukah is a Holiday of light, a time when we acknowledge the power of each small candle.
When we are confronted with challenges, darkness, or a seemingly impossible predicament, let us learn from the Menorah.
We do not surrender in the face of difficulty; we look for opportunity. The opportunity to light a flame, to help another person, to bring light and hope where there was none before.
As one candle illuminates a tremendous amount of darkness, one act of kindness can have an everlasting impact... giving light, and even life, to future generations.
Happy Chanukah!
Portuguese Jewish history is a rich tapestry of accomplishment and challenge spanning the centuries. Portugal's shores have produced and housed some of our greatest Rabbis and leaders. From statesman, leader and scholar Rabbi Don Yitzchak Abarbanel to Shulchan Aruch author Rabbi Yosef Karo in the 15th century through to the Lubavitcher Rebbe's time in Lisbon in 1941, Portugal has enabled tremendous developments in strengthening community and Torah.
It is in recognition of the timeless nature of these commitments, and in honor of all of those Jews who have called Portugal home through times of brilliance and darkness, that these Torah insight's from Portugal's great Rabbis is produced - here in Portugal.
Special thanks to Rabbi Shlomo Pereira for the Portuguese translation.