NEWS RELEASE
JEWISH BARRIE
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Chabad Jewish Centre of Barrie will ignite a public nine-foot Hanukkah menorah erected at Barrie City Hall, followed by a community-wide celebration on Tuesday, Dec. 4, the third night of the eight-day holiday.
The ceremony, organized by Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Mendel Nakkar, will feature MP John Brassard, MPP Andrea Khanjin, Police Chief Kimberley Greenwood, Mayor Jeff Lehman and city councillors. Following the menorah lighting ceremony, hundreds will enjoy Holiday foods such as Latkes and Donuts along with Holiday music, entertainment and crafts for the kids.
“The menorah serves as a symbol of Barrie's dedication to preserve and encourage the right and liberty of all its citizens to worship God freely, openly, and with pride. This is true especially in Canada, 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 Nakkar.
The Menorah lighting is part of the worldwide Hanukkah campaign, an initiative launched by the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, 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 Nakkar. “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 North-American practice and awareness of the festival.
Barrie'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 Simcoe County, Chabad will be presenting several Hanukkah events and celebrations, including the first public Menorah Lighting in Orillia on Thursday, Dec. 6, and a “Chanukah Wonderland” for kids on Sunday, Dec. 9.
For more information about Hanukkah and a local schedule of events visit the website
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