Forty years ago this December, Elie Wiesel accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo.
It was a time of hope. A man who was proud to be both Jewish and Zionist stood before the world and spoke of his mission to stand on the right side of history wherever he could. He asked that it be our mission as well.
On December 9th in New York, The Elie Wiesel Foundation, together with presenting sponsors, The Wiesel Family, Braman Family Foundation, and The Kraft Family Foundation, will remember that moment, and the torchlight procession that followed where 1500 lights marked the hope so many felt at the time. On December 9th, 1500 supporters of the Wiesel legacy will bring their own light to The Elie Wiesel Foundation’s first public event ever: One Light Many Flames, a Chanukah concert for Beit Tzipora.
Beit Tzipora is a project of sacred memory. It is also Elie and Marion Wiesel’s belief in the future. Named after Elie’s little sister who was murdered on arrival to Auschwitz, The Elie Wiesel Foundation programs have enriched the lives of Ethiopian-Israeli students for two full generations. And now, it will become an anchor in the diaspora as well. This year EWF began introducing Israel in all its diversity to NYC-area charter school students in a modern-day pen pal program based on video chats with Beit Tzipora students. EWF is fighting our enemies “white colonialist” lie with the truth of who we are.
One Light, Many Flames also represents the beauty and texture of Israeli society that Elie and Marion Wiesel so appreciated. With Israeli artists representing the Ethiopian, Sudanese, Yemenite and other roots of modern Israel, this concert will be like no other.
Come join us this December 9th and add your flames to our collective light. Bring friends. Bring allies. Come celebrate the joy in being Jewish that Elie Wiesel stood for.
