‘We have to be very cautious’: local Hanukkah event security in spotlight

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This article was published 04/12/2023 (678 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The first night of Hanukkah in Winnipeg will feature more than the ceremonial lighting of the first candle — it will also feature extra security and police officers in attendance.

Protection will be increased at both the public menorah lighting Thursday at the Manitoba Legislative Building and Chabad-Lubavitch of Winnipeg’s community celebration (1845 Mathers Ave.) on Sunday, compared to past events.

“What is different this year is people are a lot more apprehensive,” said Rabbi Avrohom Altein of Chabad-Lubavitch, which is also leading the annual Jewish festival event at the legislative building.

“The Hanukkah celebration at our own building, we will have police there, too. I hope, and think, that it has been pretty safe so far here… We have to be very cautious.

“It is what we have to do to live our lives and to celebrate.”

On Thursday, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew will light the candle which will be used in turn to light eight others on the menorah (one per day). The event will also feature Hanukkah music and a prayer for Israel.

Winnipeg Police Service spokesman Const. Claude Chancy said there has been an officer presence at recent events and rallies centred on the Israeli-Hamas war.

“We are aware of what is happening in our city,” Chancy said. “It is something on our radar — we are contacted or we see it while monitoring social media.”

On Monday, a provincial government spokesman said: “All Manitobans should feel safe and secure at the legislative building. Manitoba Justice works closely with other government departments and law enforcement to ensure robust security assessments for all events… To ensure operationally sensitive details remain confidential, we generally do not comment on protocols for specific events.”

Many Jewish people in Winnipeg may not put menorahs in their front windows this year, fearing they could become a target of violence, Altein said.

Hanukkah is an eight-day festival of lights which begins in the Jewish month of Kislev, on its 25th day.

It celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, after a small Jewish army was able to retake the Temple in Jerusalem by defeating the Syrians in the 2nd century BC.

To celebrate the victory and rededicate the temple, they lit a candelabra. Even though there only enough oil to last a single day, it stayed burning for eight days.

The Hebrew word hanukkah means dedication.

“We start with one single candle the first night,” Altein said. “Every single light makes a difference.”

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca