In the darkest month of the year, amid the shadows of war and hate, is the exact moment for kindling candles. Jan shares a miracle of a story, and the power of illumination, especially for making human connection.

When the world is upside down and deeply challenging, as it is right now, we do well to revisit the voices of those who impacted us for the better, if only to strengthen our resolve.

Jan shares a personal encounter with one of the world's great maestro's and how the words of that artist have shaped him for the better to this day.

The Yiddish language shares much wit and wisdom, including how, in some ways, we are all connected: reminding us, "Di gantse velt iz eyn shtot." (The whole world is one town.)"

Jan shares some insights of a language once spoken by close to 13 million Jews before the HOLOCAUST, sayings from which we can still learn.

It can feel as if we're at the end of all light at a moment such as we're facing in public discourse, war, and a rise in antisemitism.

Jan shares the meaning of faith in such a time and the powerful search for hope needed to meet the moment.

Now is not the time to shrink but to EXPAND.

Jan shares a story from one of the lowest points of his life, an experience he had on a lake in Scotland that opened him to ways to meet the challenge of sadness and hurt all around him, a feeling he compares to events many of us are experiencing in the world right now.

Being in the midst of war, struggle, and a constant bombardment of hate, one's inner core and wellness is at serious risk. We must seek balance.

Jan shares a true story of the Dalai Lama and a powerful lesson on how to do that every day.

In moments of darkness we must be the light.

Jan shares a powerful poem by Megan Falley about how, in the shadows of horror and conflict, something seemingly small and insignificant can be a giver of life.

The same can be said for words we choose to use this day.

In light of world events, beginning with the evil attacks on Israel by Hamas, people of all backgrounds are shaken. Many feel very alone. The human touch in reaching out with the simple question, "Are you ok?" is essential for sanity and ought to be a hallmark of our own humanity..

In the midst of war, we are bombarded with hate and misinformation that seeks to twist the humanity away from us, leaving us feeling pronounced loneliness. We need to hear something else, if only to balance ourselves. Jan shares the words of a poet who reminds him of an essential component to being human.

There are moments in our lives when we must be able to call evil out. When moral clarity is required in order to forge a world worthy of our ancestors and our children. Calling out barbarism for what it is must be part of that. Jan shares thoughts of recent terrorist attacks in Israel and shares a personal story where hope was formed between him and a Palestinian baker in Jerusalem as they dreamt of better days for their children.