Shine-A-Light at First Baptist Church

Shine-A-Light incorporates inspiration from Chanukah, the festival of lights. The night will host several featured speakers with the goal to send a message that antisemitism will not be tolerated in our community while spreading light to dispel hate. There will be light refreshments served.

One guest speaking will be Ana Sazonov. Ana was born in Ukraine to a non-Jewish mother and a father who repressed his Jewish identity. Her family became Ukrainian in every way, which helped them to survive antisemitic attacks. Ana grew up as a Ukrainian girl with no knowledge of Judaism or Israel. After the Soviet Union collapsed, the Jewish Agency sprang into action, promoting the Law of Return, and offered her family the chance to make Aliya and start a new life in the Promised Land. Aliya to Israel allowed Ana to grapple with her Jewish identity like few Jews do.

Ana served two years in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) as a Basic Training Commander and trained IDF soldiers to be combat-ready.

She recently returned from Ukraine and shares what she saw while in her homeland.