Chabad of Augusta will light a public Hanukkah menorah erected at Evans Town Center Park tomorrow, Dec.18, the first night of the eight-day Jewish holiday.
The nine-foot tall menorah in Evans will be on display for the entire eight days of Chanukah and is one of 15,000 public menorahs being lit worldwide to offer hope and goodness over darkness, according to a press release from Chabad of Augusta.
Rabbi & Director of Chabad of Augusta Zalman Fischer says the event is open to people of all faiths and creeds and is meant to be a time when the entire community can come together and celebrate a message of universal unity.
“The menorah serves as a symbol of United States dedication to preserve and encourage the rights and liberty of all its citizens to worship God freely, openly, and with pride,” Fischer said. “This is true especially in America, a nation that was founded upon and vigorously protects the right of every person to practice his or her religion free from restraint and persecution,” said Rabbi Fischer.
The menorah is first mentioned in the book of Exodus, and the ceremonial lighting is one of Judaism’s oldest traditions.
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However, the eight-day holiday period of Hanukkah refers to a battle between the Jews and Syrian Greeks where the outnumbered Jewish fighters prevailed but only after the invaders had defiled the Temple, according to the press release from Chabad of Augusta.
After the Temple was reclaimed, only one jar of undefiled olive oil was found, enough to burn only one day, but it lasted miraculously for eight. The story is the basis for the “Festival of Lights” to celebrate light triumphing over negativity.
The event begins at 4:30 pm with a car parade and will include crafts for the children. The menorah will be lit at 5 pm.
After the lighting ceremony attendees will be treated to latkes l, which are a special Hanukkah treat and jelly donuts called Sufganoyot.
Meanwhile, the children can also participate in the Gelt Drop, which is chocolate “Gelt” parachuting down from a Columbia County fire ladder truck. Gelt is a kosher chocolate candy, formed in the shape of a coin and wrapped in gold or silver wrapping. All kids attending will also receive a Hanukkah gift.
The public menorah lighting is part of the worldwide Hanukkah campaign launched in 1973.
Scott Hudson is the senior reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com
