In Parshat Vayeishev, we get to know Yosef as a dreamer with incredible potential, but whose path to greatness is anything but easy. Sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, Yosef’s journey takes him from being the beloved, favorite son, to the bottom of a pit, to an Egyptian jail, to rising up to become one of the greatest leaders and role models of the Jewish people. Despite betrayal, false accusations and imprisonment, Yosef never loses faith in Hashem’s plan. His resilience, positivity and ability to find light in the darkest of times remind us that even the most difficult experiences can lead to profound growth and eventual success.
Chanukah, too, tells the story of resilience and hope. The Maccabees faced overwhelming odds in their fight to preserve Jewish traditions against a powerful enemy. Their determination and unwavering faith led to an incredible victory and the miracle of the oil, which burned for eight days. The menorah’s light symbolizes not only Hashem’s intervention but also the strength and perseverance required to protect what we, as Jews, hold so dear. Together, Yosef and the story of Chanukah teach us the power of emunah, resilience and the ability to create light in even the darkest times.
These lessons resonate deeply in the world of parenting and early childhood education as well. Just as Yosef grew through his hardships and the Maccabees refused to let challenges extinguish their light, we are tasked with nurturing our children’s growth and guiding them through their own journeys. Each child is a world of potential, and it is our most important responsibility to nurture their unique strengths and help them navigate challenges with courage, optimism and determination.
In the classroom, every child is a spark waiting to shine. Some children are naturally confident and eager to share their ideas, while others may be more reserved—needing time and encouragement to take risks and reveal their light. As educators, our role is to create an environment where children feel safe, valued and inspired to explore and reach their potential. Whether through encouraging a hesitant learner, celebrating small achievements, fostering a love of discovery or understanding and appreciating different learners, we help each child’s light grow stronger.
Parents and educators are partners. Like Yosef’s story, the journey of raising children is almost never straightforward. There are moments when our children struggle, whether learning new skills, navigating friendships or dealing with disappointment. These challenges are opportunities for growth, and it’s in those moments that we—as parents and educators—must show up with patience, love and unwavering support. Through our encouragement, we help our children build resilience and confidence.
Chanukah’s message of celebrating small miracles reminds us to cherish the everyday victories in our children’s lives. Children mastering a new skill, resolving a conflict with kindness or expressing curiosity and creativity are all moments to treasure. Each small step forward is like a drop of oil—fueling their growth and lighting their path.
The menorah’s light—designed to shine outward—offers a powerful metaphor for the impact of all of our collaborative hard work raising our children. When we nurture children who are kind, confident and resilient, they carry their light into the world—touching the lives of those around them. Just as Yosef used his gifts to bring brachot to others and as the Maccabees inspired generations with their courage, our children have the potential to be sources of light and hope—wherever they may find themselves in their futures and in life.
As we celebrate Chanukah, we also must take a moment to recognize and reflect on the bravery and resilience of our modern-day Maccabees—our hero soldiers in the IDF. Like the Maccabees of old, they are fighting with incredible strength, courage and resilience to protect the Jewish people and defend the land of Israel. We have emunah that these challenges will lead to great things for Klal Yisrael, and we pray for the safety of our soldiers and the safe return of our hostages. May Hashem grant them strength, protection, healing, complete and total victory and lots of miracles!
May we—as parents and educators together—continue to guide our children with support, patience, guidance and love. May we help them kindle their inner light—enabling them to shine brightly and bring warmth, bright ideas and inspiration to the world.
Shabbat Shalom and Chanukah Sameach!
Jessica Kohn is the early childhood director and founding educator of BPY.
