Shining a Light: Chanukah, Wicked, and Defying Gravity
I have not yet seen the movie “Wicked,” the prequel to the famous book/movie “The Wizard of Oz,” but I have heard that it is very much worth watching.
Below, Carly Orshan, Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives and Teen Education, offers us some thoughts comparing the holiday of Chanukkah, the eternal “otherness” of the Jewish people and the character of Elphaba, the feared and misunderstood “Wicked Witch” from the original.
CAJE is always seeking ways to renew our traditions, bringing fresh meanings and messages to contemporary learners through Jewish education and the dedication of our community’s educators.
Please light a candle in solidarity with our hostages and all those in our homeland of Israel working to bring them home. On the 5th night, it’s a CAJE tradition to light a candle for all our Holocaust survivors.
Wishing you and yours a Chanukkah filled with light,
Rabbi Efrat Zarren-Zohar
Shining a Light: Chanukah, Wicked, and Defying Gravity
Chanukah has always been a season of light and resilience. Each flicker of the menorah’s candles reminds us of miracles, but also of the courage it takes to stand tall when the odds feel stacked against us.
This year, as I reflect on the story of the Maccabees, I can’t help but think about Wicked. The recent film adaptation has reignited conversations about its themes of defiance and identity, and it’s easy to see why. Like the Maccabees, Elphaba, the misunderstood “Wicked Witch,” refuses to let others define her. Both stories remind us of the power of reclaiming narratives and standing up for what matters most.
Wrestling with the Narrative
The Maccabees didn’t just fight for survival— they fought to preserve their faith and culture against forces that sought to erase them. Similarly, Elphaba in Wicked is vilified not for her actions, but because society fears her differences. Her story pushes us to question the narratives we accept and challenges us to look deeper.
This is not just ancient history or Broadway fantasy. My sister, Rabbi Samantha Kahn, explores a modern parallel in her thought-provoking article, “Is Israel the Wicked Witch of the (Middle) East?”, She notes how Israel, like Elphaba, is often mischaracterized, painted as a villain in a story that is far more complex. Much like the Maccabees, Israel and the rise of antisemitism reminds us of the importance of standing tall in the face of misunderstanding.
The Maccabeats, a celebrated Jewish a cappella group, have captured this idea through their moving rendition of Defying Gravity. Their lyrics declare, “We’ll rise above, defying gravity. Through every trial, defying gravity. And they won’t bring us down.” It’s a powerful anthem that mirrors the menorah’s message: that every small act of courage contributes to a collective light strong enough to overcome even the deepest darkness.
Rising Above
Chanukah is not just about survival—it’s about renewal. The Maccabees rededicated the Temple, turning it back into a sacred space. That act reminds us that resilience isn’t just about enduring— it’s about actively renewing and rededicating ourselves to what matters most.
The parallels between Wicked, the Maccabees, and our modern challenges as Jewish people remind us of this enduring truth: light triumphs over darkness when we rise above and shine brightly.
As you light the menorah this Chanukah, may you feel inspired to embrace resilience, add your own light to the world, and help push back the darkness.
Chag Urim Sameach!
