Jewish Guelph congregations to join in lighting giant Menorah

NEWS RELEASE
CHABAD OF GUELPH
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On Sunday, Dec. 22, local Jewish Guelph congregations Chabad of Guelph and Beth Isaiah will join together to light a nine-foot Menorah at Market Square to celebrate the first night of Chanukah.

The ceremony will feature City of Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie, MP Lloyd Longfield, and MPP Mike Schreiner.

Following the menorah lighting ceremony, attendees will be treated to traditional Chanukah food including latkes (potato pancakes) and souvganiot (jelly donuts). There will also be a giant chocolate coin (gelt) drop in partnership with the Guelph Fire Department.

“Canada is a nation that vigorously protects the right of every person to practice his or her religion free from restraint and persecution. The menorah lighting ceremony serves as a symbol of Guelph's dedication to preserve and encourage the rights and freedoms of all its citizens to worship God freely, openly, and with pride,” said Rabbi Steiner.

Goldie Barth, a member of Beth Isaiah for 48 years, reminisced: "When my kids were in Hebrew school in the 1980’s they did plays written by Beth Isaiah’s own in house playwright, Joanne Grodzinski. The kids got to do the most creative wonderful plays like GI Joseph and Alice in Chanukah Land. The kids and parents had a wonderful time. The hall was full of over 100 people watching the play, lighting the Chanukah candles and eating the hundreds of latkes that were prepared and cooked in the synagogue kitchen."

The Guelph Menorah lighting is part of the worldwide Chanukah campaign, an initiative launched by the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, in 1973. The campaign highlights and encourages the central theme of the holiday — publicizing the story of the Chanukah miracle.  

“The message of Chanukah is the message of light,” adds Rabbi Steiner. “The nature of light is that it is always victorious over darkness. A small amount of light dispels a lot of darkness. Another act of goodness and kindness, another act of light, can make all the difference.”

Where: Guelph Market Square at City Hall, 1 Carden St. Guelph

When: Dec. 22 at 5:30 p.m.

Cost: Free

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