Rekindling the spirit of Hanukkah

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This article was published 27/11/2021 (1768 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Watch for the menorah parade, the public lighting of candles and even a mobile unit passing out candles as Winnipeg’s Jewish community marks its upcoming festival of lights in person next week.

“We want to bring the joy of Hanukkah to people,” said Rabbi Boruch Heindingsfeld of public events sponsored by Chabad-Lubavitch Jewish Learning Centre.

The south River Heights organization sends its Menorah Mobile to the streets of Winnipeg to hand out candles and candles holders during the eight days of Hanukkah and resumes its car top menorah parade on Dec. 4 at 7 p.m.

Beginning at sunset Sunday, Jews light one candle daily until the entire menorah is lit up Dec. 5, the eighth day of Hanukkah. A menorah is a candelabrum with nine branches, one for each day of Hanukkah and the ninth to hold the candle which lights the others.

The Jewish holiday commemorates the second century BCE rededication of the temple in Jerusalem after Jews revolted against their occupiers and reclaimed the temple. They discovered the one-day supply of oil for burning the temple’s eternal candle lasted for eight days, which is considered the miracle of Hanukkah.

After a long season of shutdowns and restrictions to limit the spread of COVID-19, most of what was virtual for Hanukkah in 2020 returns to in-person events, with capacity restrictions, masks and proof of vaccination for people over 12.

“We’re trying to find out what the new normals are and take the symbols and traditions and reimagine them in a way that works right now,” said Rabbi Allan Finkel of Temple Shalom, which holds an in-person evening service Dec. 3, where participants are invited to light candles.

After a year’s absence, the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg holds its public candle-lighting service at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 1, outside the main doors of the Asper Jewish Community Campus at 123 Doncaster Ave.

“We’re slowly, slowly moving back” to in-person events, said federation chief executive officer Elaine Goldstine.

These public events rekindle a community spirit and provide hope that more in-person activities will be possible with proper precautions, said Monica Nieman, program and engagement co-ordinator for Congregation Etz Chayim.

“We’re all just generally excited about the possibility that, in certain settings, we can get back together,” she said, adding the North End synagogue only started meeting in person for Shabbat services earlier in November.

Across the city at Congregation Shaarey Zedek, the stage is set for several in-person activities, including a holiday version of the quiz-style television show Jeopardy, renamed Jewpardy for this occasion.

With a light-hearted game show approach to the history and traditions of Hanukkah, holding the event addresses some t ougher questions people were asking during the long pandemic shutdowns, says lay clergy Rena Secter Elbaze.

“All of us are asking ourselves these existential questions. How will we move forward and how will we pull through?” said Elbaze, also director of engagement and programs.

“Now that we see the light at the end of the tunnel and we are able to gather in person, we are able to see the relevance of this holiday and we gather in person and feel a sense of hope.”

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