Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, begins this year on the evening of Sunday, November 28 and concludes the evening of Monday, December 6. It recalls the victory of a militarily weak Jewish people who defeated the Syrian Greeks who had overrun ancient Israel and sought to impose restrictions on the Jewish way of life and prohibit religious freedom. They also desecrated and defiled the Temple and the oils prepared for the lighting of the menorah, which was part of the daily service.
Upon recapturing the Temple only one jar of undefiled oil was found, enough to burn only one day, but it lasted miraculously for eight. In commemoration, Jews celebrate Hanukkah for eight days by lighting an eight-branched candelabrum known as a menorah. Today, people of all faiths consider the holiday a symbol and message of the triumph of freedom over oppression, of spirit over matter, of light over darkness.
Chabad of S. Lake County will ignite a public 9 foot Hanukkah menorah erected at Waterfront Park, followed by a community-wide celebration on November 28th, the 1st night of the eight-day holiday. The ceremony, organized by Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Moshe Dubinsky, will feature a firetruck gelt drop, a Kosher food truck all the way from Jacksonville and special dignitaries. After the gelt drop we will have a menorah lighting ceremony where we will dance, sing and eat the night away, followed by the most spectacular ‘African High Flyers’ as seen on ‘America’s Got Talent!’
“The menorah serves as a symbol of Lake County’s dedication to preserve and encourage the right and liberty of all its citizens to worship G‑d freely, openly, and with pride. 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 Moshe Dubinsky.
“I want my kids to grow up with pride in their Jewish heritage and a feeling of equality and self-confidence as Americans” said Denise Febres of Minneola, who is looking forward to attending the public menorah lighting. “Chabad Lubavitch’s Hanukkah menorahs are arguably one of the most important developments ever to help my child’s education. I wish they had this where I grew up.”
The Menorah lighting is part of the worldwide Hanukkah 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 Hanukkah miracle.
“The message of Hanukkah is the message of light,” added Rabbi Dubinsky. “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.”
Today, the unprecedented public display of Hanukkah has become a staple of Jewish cultural and religious life, forever altering the American practice and awareness of the festival. Clermont’s menorah is one of more than 15,000 large public menorahs sponsored by Chabad in more than 100 countries around the world, including in front of landmarks such as the White House, the Eiffel Tower, and the Kremlin, helping children and adults of all walks of life discover and enjoy the holiday message
Throughout the State of Florida, Chabad will be presenting dozens of Hanukkah events and celebrations, including public Menorah Lightings,
To find a local event in Florida, or practically anywhere throughout the world, visit the international Hanukkah event directory at www.jewishsl.com/HanukkahEvents.
Note: The Cost of the event is FREE. Sign up by Nov. 25 for a chance to win a giant inflatable Menorah @ Jewishsl.com/festival)
ABOUT THE SPONSORING ORGANIZATION
Chabad of S. Lake County offers Jewish education, outreach and social service programming for families and individuals of all ages, backgrounds and affiliations. For more information, contact Rabbi Moshe Dubinsky, Chabad of S. Lake County, at 352-717-4119, Info@jewishsl.com or visit Jewishsl.com.
