HALIFAX -- While many Maritimers are gearing up for a Christmas unlike any other, the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah has already begun.
Thursday night marked the first night of the eight-night celebration, which will look different than usual in the midst of a global pandemic.
While families will gather in smaller groups this year, with some connecting through Zoom or Facetime to light their menorahs, the celebration’s powerful message of light over darkness takes on even more meaning during this difficult year.
“The message of Hanukkah is hope, and trust, and triumph, so let’s go with that approach this year,” says Rabbi Mendel Feldman of Chabad Lubavitch of the Maritimes.
Halifax resident Joanna Mirsky Wexler says the first night of Hanukkah would be quiet, but poignant for her and her family of four.
“Usually over five of the eight nights, there would be big celebrations,” says Mirsky Wexler. “We would have different friends over, combinations of going to people’s houses, and this isn’t a year where we’re really able to do that.”
She says her family will take their celebrations online instead, connecting with family and community members via Zoom for nightly candle lighting.
Mirsky Wexler says while this year is different, they’re making the most of it, and will mix in some different ways of celebrating along with playing dreidel and eating delicious traditional food.
“We’ll explore different ways of celebrating Jewish Hanukkah, the ways it might be celebrated around the world,” says Mirsky Wexler. “We’ll play with different customs and foods that we might not regularly see.”
At her shop in Halifax’s North End, Jennifer Jacobson is making plans to celebrate Hanukkah with her bubble for Saturday night.
“Normally 200 people go to parties at the synagogue, and there’s kids running around, and people have gotten together and made thousands of potato latkes, so it’s really different this year,” says Jacobson.
Jacobson says her and four friends will be having a smaller gathering, and while the physical celebration may be different, she believes the meaning of Hanukkah will be more relevant than ever this year.
“We could all use a little bit of lightness right now,” says Jacobson. “It’s a really good reminder of how to take things for granted and to enjoy what we do have.”
On Thursday night, Canada’s largest menorah was lit for the first night of Hanukkah in downtown Halifax’s Grand Parade Square.
Typically, hundreds would come out to watch and celebrate the first night, but this year the ceremony was streamed online due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Rabbi Mendel Feldman says the spiritual aspect of Hanukkah remains the same regardless of the pandemic.
He believe it’s important for immediate families to gather in the homes and enjoy traditions such as lighting the menorah, eating latkes and most importantly, nurturing their relationship with God.
“The two miracles that took place on Hanukkah, which what we’re celebrating, finding that one pure jug of oil, and it was supposed to last 24 hours but it last eight days and eight nights. The message is inside of us- deep down we have our soul, our pure jug of oil to draw strength, and not to lose hope,” says Feldman.
A powerful message of hope, as Jewish people around the Maritimes, and the world, gather to celebrate the eight night festival of lights, during a year that’s been unlike any other.
