Mending Broken Glass
By Julie and Dylan Meyers
This year: Hanukkah: November 28 — December 6, 2021
Julie
It is said that glass that has been broken into pieces or has cracks larger than an inch are pretty much beyond repair.
Dylan
But this week you proved that not to be. You taught us all about Kristallnacht but then you magically transformed a night of broken glass into the most beautiful of prisms.
Into a stunning work of art.
Julie
Donaueschigen, You did the impossible. You took something shattered and made it whole again.
Dylan
Your tribute this week remembered not only those who perished — like my great great grandmother Henriette Lindner and my great grandmother Melitta’s entire family — but at the same time — you honored people like Martina and Werner who work tirelessly to nurture hope and promote tolerance in our shared world.
That is quite a feat.
Julie
By inviting us here. You did the impossible. Because of you, because of your actions — we can better understand the possibility and power of the choices available to us today.
Dylan
The Meyers will leave Donaueshigen not only with a sense of gratitude and love for the city and all of you — but also with a goal to do more for others — to realize the opportunities afforded to us and we will make sure we do more for those whom are not as fortunate as we are.
Julie
And while we are, sadly, leaving Donaueschigen — we want to remain connected forever — after all — it’s our forever home too.
Dylan
Martina and Werner, will you please join us up here?
Julie
Martina and Werner, this is a present from us all. This is a reminder of the glass you made whole again.
Dylan
And there’s more. (Wait for them to open)
Julie
We want to share with you a little bit about Hanukkah and the menorah we’re giving to you.
Dylan
When Hanukkah falls — in the winter — the sun is most hidden. However, the holiday of Hanukkah celebrated the rays of hope and light.
And, this is the shamash. (Dylan points)
This is where the candle goes that will light all the other candles. On Hanukkah, when we use one flame to light another — the glow is not halved — but rather — the light is multiplied.
And Martina and Werner, Hanukkah teaches us that one should not curse the darkness but rather one should light a candle — which is what you do every day.
Martina and Werner, you are the shamash.
Julie
And Martina and Werner, you have proven that all the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.
Dylan
This specific menorah is special in other ways too. The funds we donated for the menorah actually provide a living Jewish legacy, to our children and grandchildren. The funds will be used to provide resources for understanding the past and inspiring a bright future.
Julie
Martina, we bought three “identical” menorahs. Dylan and Aliya each received the same “identical” menorah (no two are exactly alike) and so every hanukkah, you will be together — no matter how far apart you are.
Dylan and Aliya.
Martina and Werner, you are the shamash.
You are the light that lights all others.
With love and gratitude.
Julie, Dylan, Jon and Aliya.