Happy Chanukah

Yesterday was a busy day of Chanukah festivities in downtown Greensboro. Above, a children's group from B'nai Shalom Day School was singing Chanukah songs at Center City Park. Chanukah began Saturday evening and will end the evening of Sunday, December 16th. Between now and then, families will be busy lighting another branch of the Menorah each night and remembering their religious history with a mixture of communal and family-based activities. Fried foods are eaten to show the importance of oil. Some people play dreidel games and exchange small gifts; however, Chanukah is not a "Sabbath-like" holiday and most people continue to go to school and work.

Yesterday's event in Center City Park followed one at the Heirloom Chanukah Menoras Lighting at the Greensboro Historical Museum, an event sponsored in partnership with the Greensboro Jewish Federation. Families scrambled to finish up the festitivies in the museum to make it to the park in time to continue the festivities.

Since the arrival of Jewish families in the late 1800's, Greensboro's Jewish community has played a prominent and significant role is making our community the great place it is today. Greensboro seems to aspire to respect the inherent worth and dignity of all citizens. If you were to listen to a family lighting the Menorah during Chanukah, likely, you would hear the following: 

1. Blessed are You, L‑rd our G‑d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the Chanukah light.

1. Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai Eh-lo-hei-noo Meh-lech Ha-olam A-sher Ki-deh-sha-noo Beh-mitz-vo-tav Veh-tzi-va-noo Leh-had-lik Ner Cha-noo-kah.

2. Blessed are You, L‑rd our G‑d, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our forefathers in those days, at this time.

2. Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai Eh-lo-hei-nu Meh-lech Ha-olam Sheh-a-sa Nee-sim La-avo-tei-noo Ba-ya-mim Ha-hem Bee-z’man Ha-zeh*

Let's hope the light continues to shine for a very long time.

* http://www.chabad.org/holidays/chanukah/article_cdo/aid/603798/jewish/Chanukah-Guide.htm

 

Comments

[Katja]

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Greensboro celebrated Chanukah yesterday as well and we were treated to the song that accompanies the lighting of the Menorah.

[Dina]

Gosh Jan, you have been to more Chanuka festivities than I have.
Good for Greensboro! I really must go in to Jerusalem and get some holiday shots.