Hanukkah festivities begin, run through week
As those of the Jewish faith in central Ohio begin lighting menorahs Sunday, there will be a theme of light over darkness in hopes of promoting love and tolerance.
Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish Festival of Lights, begins a little more than a month after 11 people were slain and six others were wounded Oct. 27 when a gunman opened fire at the Tree of Life synagogue in Squirrel Hill, a suburb that is the heart of Pittsburgh’s Jewish community.
“When you have darkness in the world, we believe in lighting a candle,” said Chabad Rabbi Areyah Kaltmann, executive director of the Lori Schottenstein Chabad Center in New Albany. “We believe in bringing light and love to the world. Although the menorah is a Jewish symbol, its meaning is universal — tolerance — everyone can help bring light and love to the world. I think it’s so important that everyone is united, that there’s one America.”
Hanukkah is an eight-day commemoration of rededication of the Temple by the Maccabees after their victory over the Syrians. The victorious Jews found only a one-day supply of uncontaminated oil with which to Bryan Finkelstein lights Hanukkah candles at Congregation Tifereth Israel.
light the Temple’s menorah, but the supply lasted for eight days.
Joel Marcovitch, CEO of JewishColumbus, said the lights of the menorah also give off warmth, which is symbolic.
“It’s our opportunity to be warm to each other over this festive period,” he said. “It’s important we can celebrate in a peaceful setting. … Now is a chance for us to come together and spread as much light, no matter what (holiday) you’re celebrating.”
New to the local celebrations this year will be a helicopter drop Wednesday of 6,000 dreidels and pieces of candy to children at the Jeffrey Mansion in Bexley, Kaltmann said.
Here is a list of the local celebrations:
• Sunday, Dec. 2: 4 p.m. Polaris Fashion Place, inside near Saks Fifth Avenue on lower level. Family activities.
• Monday, Dec. 3: All day. Statehouse menorah lighting on the lawn of Statehouse, Downtown.
• Monday. Dec. 3: 7:15 to 10:00 p.m. Downtown Hanukkah party at the Statehouse. Online RSVP required. Ages 21+ are welcome.
• Tuesday, Dec. 4: 7 to 10 p.m. Jewish Heritage Night at the Columbus Blue Jackets. A catered kosher dinner will be offered as well as festive family activities. Tickets available online.
• Wednesday, Dec. 5: 4:30 p.m. Bexley “Streets of Gold” party at Jeffrey Mansion, 165 N. Parkview Ave. There will be chocolate and dreidels dropped from a helicopter, as well as other family activities.
• Wednesday, Dec. 5: 6 p.m. Festival of Lights Dinner Party at Bexley Premier Restaurant, 2525 E. Main St. Tables can be reserved online.
• Thursday, Dec. 6: 7 p.m. Family activities at the Mall at Tuttle Crossing inside near Macy’s on the lower level.
• Friday, Dec. 7: New Albany Hanukkah Dinner Party at the Lori Schottenstein Chabad Center, 6220 E. Dublin-Granville Road, New Albany. Reserve a table online. The lighting will take place at 4:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 5:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 8: 7:30 p.m. Family activities at Easton Town Center at the Town Square across from Barnes & Noble.
• Sunday, Dec. 9: 4 to
6 p.m. Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, 4850 W. Powell Road, Powell. Event sponsored by the Jewish Community Center of Greater Columbus.
To RSVP online for select events, visit eightnightsoffun.com. For more information, call 614-939-0765.