My husband and I felt a mixture of excitement and uncertainty as we prepared for a trip to Saudi Arabia. We packed our usual travel staples—our prayerbooks, Psalms, Shabbat candles, tefillin, and plenty of kosher food—but this time we added one more essential item: a Chanukah menorah.
Our final day in vibrant Saudi Arabia would coincide with the first night of Chanukah, and being able to ignite the first candle in this part of the world felt momentous.
Riyadh, the capital, recently unveiled its new rapid transit system—the longest driverless route in the world. Tourists and locals flock to the city to appreciate its modern stations and advanced technology, but we were there to forge a different kind of connection—a spiritual one that binds each Jewish soul to its Source and to one another.
Our group included Jews from a wide range of countries and backgrounds. We were returnees to traditional Torah living, chassidim, and non-observant—a beautiful tapestry of Jewish diversity. Collectively, we spoke over ten languages. But despite our differences, on this final night of our trip, we united in a singular mission: to bring the light of Chanukah to one of the most recognizable squares in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia—King Abdullah Financial District.
We emerged from the train station holding a small menorah, ready to proclaim Jewish resilience and victory. The knowledge that Jews all over the globe were simultaneously engaging in this sacred tradition made the experience all the more powerful. This was a night dedicated to demonstrating the timeless truth that the smallest light can dispel immense darkness—both spiritually and physically.
Exactly 50 years ago, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, encouraged the first public menorah lighting at Philadelphia’s Independence Mall. That historic moment forever changed the public face of Judaism. When I was 13 years old, Rabbi Abraham and Batsheva Shemtov brought my family to Crown Heights to meet and receive a blessing from the Rebbe. That unforgettable encounter became one of the most transformative experiences of my life. From that day on, I aspired to be a “lamplighter,” igniting the spark of G‑dliness within myself and those around me, no matter where in the world I am.
As our group inserted the first Chanukah candle into the menorah and lit the shamash, the ancient blessings echoed through the chilly air. “Blessed are You … who performed miracles for our forefathers … who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.”
It felt surreal: the glowing flame of a small menorah set against the backdrop of Saudi skyscrapers. This bench, these buildings, the city streets and their residents all bore witness to the enduring light of the eternal Jewish people. Empires have risen and fallen, but the Jewish nation endures—a testament to our miraculous destiny to be a light unto the nations.
At that moment, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia became a vessel for a new kind of transformation. Every Jewish soul carries a spark of the Chanukah flame, capable of illuminating the world’s essence. When each of us taps into our unique potential, our collective destiny will be transformed into a reality filled with G‑dliness, clarity, kindness, connection, and healing.
May this miraculous transformation happen speedily in our days.