Thoughts from the Heart
By: Joseph Smith
2012 December 11th
Tuesday Night 10:00pm (2200 Hrs)

"Happy Hanukkah"

Tonight is the fourth day of Hanukkah. The Jewish community have been blessed to observe all eight days by the lighting of the menorah, each day, but tonight is a special night for us. Our brothers and sisters from the Columbus, Ohio Jewish community, who grace our community every other Tuesday, are all here to celebrate, the saving acts, miracles and wonders which God (Hashem) have performed for our forefathers, in those days at this time, and yet the blessings are still to date, being flowed upon His people. And tonight is a blessing for us, the Jewish community here at the North Central Correctional Institution, located in Marion, Ohio. It was evening of fun, delight, but most of all the spirit of love flowed the room. We here were able to prepare the special foods, by permission of the warden, the outside volunteers brought in special foods or should I say, foods for "Hanukkah". The tables all dressed in the colors of our home land, blue & white with the "Star of David" upon them. We sang, ate, talked, and prayed. I don't know about the others, but truly I felt their love, but most of all their acceptance of "me". The color of my skin has NEVER, NEVER been an issue with them; rather it should and don't matter, but for the reader I'm the product of a Jewish mother and black father who had for a very long time, hid my Jewish roots. But now I stand proud to say "I'm a Jew" - To all of our outside Jewish volunteers, I just want to say thank you for all that you do for us, your kindness, thoughtfulness, understanding, but most of all your love toward us, is truly a blessing. We love you!!! And we will always keep you in our daily prayers. All of you are "Tzaddik" people.

Shalom Aleichem