The Christmas-Hanukkah season is a hopeful time of the year, and this year is no exception. Despite the lack of good news, we have the hearts of the people. And the people are what matters. I am a Christian who is not very devout, but one who was blessed with a mother who taught all the good principles of the faith.

I married into a Jewish family and soon learned that there is not much difference in the basic ideas. One of those basic ideas is to love thy neighbor.

Understanding that thought has made me very wary of the antisemitism that is poisoning the environment. We are all one. I believe the core of all the world’s religions is to teach us to live in peace, and care for each other.

Years ago, LIMBA hosted two men of the cloth. They were Rabbi Marc Gelman and Father Tom Hartman. They called themselves “The God Squad.” Their message was that there is more than one path to the pinnacle. I agree. We of faith and those of no particular faith will stand shoulder to shoulder and protect each other, and we will be blessed.

Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah!