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During the summer of 2022, the Washington Hebrew community was dealt a heartwrenching blow, with the tragic deaths of Jillian and Lindsay Wiener. As hundreds filled the Kaufmann Sanctuary for their funeral, two other sisters had an epiphany, and the Spread the Light campaign was born.
It took time to get underway, but spearheaded by two extraordinary women, Jaime Swanson and Jessica Isen, Spread the Light has become a beacon of hope for their close-knit Jewish community. Through Jaime and Jessica’s story, we discover the power of connection, the resilience of the human spirit, and the enduring legacy of two shining stars, Lindsay and Jillian. The loss of these young women resonated deeply with Jaime and Jessica, both of whom have daughters.
As Jaime recounted, “It happened so close to home. And these innocent, beautiful, vibrant girls, leaders in our community, we felt this heaviness and this major weight of, why them?” Jessica and Jaime’s deep empathy and compassion set them on a path to create something beautiful and lasting in the memory of these two remarkable young souls.
Inspired by their grief and a shared vision, Jaime and Jessica embarked on a journey to create a tangible symbol of remembrance for Lindsay and Jillian. They reached out to renowned sculptor Zack Oxman, a former Washington Hebrew member whose works have been displayed at the White House and Temple, who would help bring their vision to life. Jaime and Jessica’s concept was simple yet profound: two intertwined candlesticks, representing the unbreakable bond shared by the two sisters.
With the blessing of Alisa and Lewis Wiener, the girls’ parents, a committee of dedicated individuals who were close to Lindsay and Jillian formed to work out the logistics. With the committee’s help, Jaime and Jessica raised $75,000, enough to kickstart the production of 1,000 sets of candlesticks. A remarkable achievement, driven by the community’s desire to keep the memory of Lindsay and Jillian alive.
The project aims to gift these candlesticks to new members joining the Congregation and future community leaders. This initiative honors Lindsay and Jillian’s legacy while encouraging others to embrace the sense of unity and compassion that has emerged during a difficult time.
The funds generated from this project will not only cover the initial production costs but will also establish an endowment fund to ensure the project’s long-term sustainability, spreading Lindsay and Jillian’s light throughout the Washington Hebrew community.
The candlesticks Oxman designed are entwined, symbolizing Lindsay and Jillian’s presence in each other’s lives, while also leaving an empty space representing their individuality. On the back, their Hebrew names are inscribed, along with l’hadlik ner (kindle the light), a poignant reminder of their vibrant spirits.
For Jaime and Jessica, their efforts have been a deeply personal journey, with their own daughters actively participating in the project. Jaime’s daughter Marissa originally considered this as her bat mitzvah project, but as its goals grew beyond what a 13-year-old could do, she took a different tack, building a unique bond with Alisa Wiener — visiting her and sharing meaningful moments — that continues today. This powerful connection allowed the younger generation to learn the true essence of compassion and community. Jaime points out that “doing a mitzvah isn’t necessarily always making sandwiches or going to a soup kitchen. Doing a mitzvah is also connecting with people who really need it in that time.”
The Spread the Light campaign, born out of a profound loss, has transformed into a testament to the enduring power of remembrance. It serves as a beautiful reminder that even in the face of tragedy, the human spirit can find strength and healing through connection and love.
Together, Jaime and Jessica have created something that will continue to shine brightly, just like the lights of Lindsay and Jillian, forever remembered and cherished by their community.
Spread the Light candlesticks can be purchased here.
Additional donations can be made to the Jillian and Lindsay Wiener Spread the Light Fund at whctemple.org/give, or by contacting spreadthelightwhc@gmail.com.
This article was originally published in the December 2023 Journal.
