Giant menorah lit in Guelph

Giant menorah lit in Guelph The Jewish community in Guelph came together for a special celebration on Thursday night.

The Jewish community in Guelph came together for a special celebration on Thursday night.

People from all walks of life gathered together at Guelph City Hall to celebrate the second day of Hanukkah.

“We’re really excited to be here lighting a giant menorah at the front of city hall, celebrating the miracle of 2200 years ago, where one small flask of oil, with only enough [fuel] to last for one night, lasted for eight,” Rabbi Raphi Steiner, co-director of Chabad of Guelph, explained.

According to Chabad, the first public menorah was lit at the Independence Mall in Philadelphia 50 years ago. That tradition spread across the world.

“That touched off a process where Chabads across the world, based on the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson’s teachings of publicizing the miracle of Hanukkah and bringing it to the masses started lighting these massive menorahs across town and so we’re one of some many thousands of menorahs that are being lit across the globe in the public sphere so that everyone can celebrate the holiday.”

The ceremony in Guelph also featured traditional treats and children’s activities.

Steiner said it is particularly important to be able to have public events, such as the menorah lighting, to help raise awareness about their practices and ensure the community feels welcome.

“Unfortunately, over the last year we’ve seen the ugly head of antisemitism again and again and again,” he said. “Having the opportunity to bring our Jewishness out in the public for people to see what Judaism is all about and be able to experience it, helps Jews feel more confident in their tradition, in their religion and in their practice.

Other menorah lightings are planned in Kitchener, Cambridge and Waterloo over the next few days.

The last day of Hanukkah is Jan. 2.