Hanukkah's Symbol of Hope Shines Through Conflict and Captivity

A historic menorah that gained fame through an iconic 1931 photo taken in Germany, featuring the menorah with a Nazi flag in the background, has made its way to the front lines of the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The great-grandson of the photographer, an IDF reservist, brought the menorah to the Gaza border to inspire his unit. The menorah, along with the photo, has become a symbol of Jewish perseverance. The family usually displays it at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial, but during Hanukkah, they bring it to their homes and share its history with others. The menorah represents the ongoing battle between light and darkness and the eternal nature of Israel.