It is one of Richmond’s most significant December holiday traditions.
The Bayit synagogue and Chabad of Richmond are once again hosting the public lighting of a 25-foot high menorah at Richmond Public Library’s main Brighouse branch on Sunday, Dec. 17 at 4 p.m.
Prior to the lighting at 7700 Minoru Blvd., there will be an interactive Chanukah concert put on by members of the Jewish community in Richmond. Anders Nerman, a musician and songwriter, will perform.
There will be doughnuts, dreidles and chocolate coins for attendees.
The 25-foot high steel menorah, considered one of the largest in the world, was designed by the renowned, late architect Arthur Erickson and fabricated by Ebco Industries Ltd. It will be lit on the plaza in front of the library, said Chabad, via Facebook.
Lots of pancakes and doughnuts
The Beth Tikvah Synagogue will be celebrating Chanukah in grand style Saturday, Dec. 16.
Rabbi Adam Rubin said the public is welcome to witness the lighting of the large outdoor menorah at 9711 Geal Road at 7 p.m.
Otherwise, the synagogue will be hosting a bundle of fun events for its Jewish members. It all starts in the early evening with games and crafts for the kids and then dinner. After the menorah is lit, the adults will have beer and popcorn.
“It’s a big deal for us here!” said Rubin.
Chanukah begins on Dec. 12, so the members will light five lights, symbolizing each day, on the Saturday.
“One of the core meanings of the holiday is at the darkest time of year we bring light to the world. It is to make the world a bit brighter,” said Rubin.
He quipped that Chanukah isn’t the healthiest holidays.
As it celebrates the folklore of a single day’s worth of olive oil that miraculously lasted eight days, to light the menorah in Jerusalem’s Holy Temple, much of the food around Chanukah is oily, such as potato pancakes and doughnuts.
“It’s not the healthiest holiday because you have foods fried in oil!” chuckled Rubin.
The Beth Tikvah congregation preaches Conservative Judaism and seeks to “enrich the Jewish identity, unity, continuity and heritage,” notes its website.
Menorahs with shell casings
Around 300 people showed up to a “fabulous” menorah-making event held at the Home Depot in Richmond last Sunday, said Sarah Aginsky, a member of the Richmond Jewish community.
Families could come and make menorahs out of wood, glue and nails supplied by Home Depot.
“Chabad of Richmond also supplied bullet shell casings to hold the candles on the menorah because they are weapons of war and we are now turning them into a source of light and life, the candles on the menorah,” said Aginsky.
