My wife shared this message on social media. I felt it should be shared here. A note about this weeks Torah portion added at the bottom.
“Aren’t you afraid?” Sarah* asked me.
My four-year-old was playing beside me, his tzitzit flying as he ran, his kippah proudly on his head.
“Aren’t you afraid to walk around so visibly Jewish, and to drive your mitzvah bus!?”
I told her a story.
Before Pesach we were delivering matzah. We went to every Jewish home we knew and then some. We stopped at any houses with mezuzahs.
At one house, a woman answered and told us she wasn’t Jewish. The previous owners had been, and she felt it was “bad energy” to take the mezuzah down.
“But the neighbors are Jewish!” and she pointed next door.
We walked over to a house we would have skipped because there was no mezuzah on the door.
“Guess what?” I asked Sarah. “That was your house! that’s how we met you.”
"They" know we’re Jewish.
If evil can search out Jews in hate, then we can search out every Jew in love.
Jewishness isn’t something you put on, it’s a core identity. A holy, shining soul that can’t be erased or extinguished.
Darkness feels scary because it hides things. What’s more frightening: a dark alley or a bright walkway? People fear what they don’t understand. Don’t banish your Jewishness to the darkest closet of your life. Everything hidden eventually comes to light. Instead, let your fire shine openly. A Jew standing clearly and proudly in their Jewishness is a Jew who is understood and respected.
And what a powerful thing it is to be a Jew!
To be a light that reminds the world of its true identity.
G-dliness. Holiness. Purpose.
To reflect what the world could be. Not a jungle, but a garden. Human beings as reflections of the Divine, creating a just and beautiful world together.
I am so lucky to be Jewish.
To be lamplighters.
Not to curse or fight the darkness. To add light. We are not lost in a world unraveling. We are placed here on purpose, holding a candle where it’s needed. Evil is loud but very very limited, no match for even the smallest flame. Light your fire! Darkness doesn’t stand a chance!
That is why I’m not afraid.
*Name changed
Light Shabbat candles in Dunwoody, GA today Friday, Jan 2nd before 5:22 PM
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Zalmy Goldberg
P.S. Photos from Chanukah with Mitzvah House, where we:
- Chanukah parties at 9 assisted living facilities
- Chanukah themed Jewish Holiday Club at 5 public schools
- Hosted a Chanukah story time and menorah workshop
- 3 public menorah lightings (Ashford Lane, Dunwoody Village & The Works)
- 1 Chanukah house party
- Mitzvah Kitchen, delivering meals across the city
For a grand total of 20 awesome events! Whew what a holiday it's been! See you in the new season!
Men's Brunch Club
Sun, Jan 18th | 11 AM
Breakfast with all the fixings. Easy vibes. Sunday morning connection.
Shabbat with your Jewish School Friends
Fri, Jan 30th | 5 PM
Taking the club out of school! Enjoy Shabbat dinner with your public school friends.
Big Babka Bake
Thurs, Feb 19th | 7 PM
An annual favorite. Want to host a table? Baking babka is even more fun with friends.
This post is from the Mitzvah House email newsletter, first sent January 2, 2026. For current programs, see upcoming Mitzvah House events. Questions? Call 678.769.4833 or email Hello@MitzvahHouse.com.