A Little Light in the Darkness
In the quiet of the Secret Annex, as the world outside was consumed by war, the Frank and van Pels families found a way to create a flicker of light. On December 7, 1942, Anne Frank wrote about their Hanukkah celebration, revealing a moment of quiet defiance and unwavering hope.
“We didn’t make much fuss about Chanuka,” she wrote, a simple statement that speaks volumes about their reality. They couldn’t have a big celebration, but they had each other. They exchanged “a few trifles” as gifts and gathered for the essential ritual: the lighting of the candles.
The celebration was a far cry from what they were used to. Because of the extreme shortage of supplies, the candles were only lit for ten minutes. But as Anne noted, it was the spirit of the holiday that truly mattered. “It is all right as long as you have the song,” she wrote. The familiar melodies, sung in hushed voices, were a powerful reminder of their identity and their faith.
The moment was made even more special by the ingenuity of those in hiding. Mr. van Pels, with a quiet determination, had made a wooden candlestick. This simple act of craftsmanship transformed a common item into a symbol of their resilience. It was a testament to their ability to find a way, even in a world that was trying to erase them.
The Hanukkah celebrated in the Secret Annex was not about extravagant gifts or a grand feast. It was about a small act of faith in the face of immense darkness. It was a testament to the power of tradition to bring comfort and a reminder that even when all seems lost, a little light can shine brightly.
