LIGHTING THE CHANUKAH CANDLES IN OTTAWA

CHANUKAH IN OTAWA 2022

Despite the wave of antisemitism world wide the Ottawa Jewish community, this Chanukah gathers both at home with their families and friends, as well as at various sponsored events hosted throughout the city.

Members of Ottawa’s Jewish community have decided to mark this historical and religious occasion with the lighting of a 12-foot-high Menorah outside of the city hall of the Nation’s capital of Canada.

The 8 days long festival of Chanukah commemorates the rededication of the second temple in Jerusalem. According to Rabbi Levy Teitelbaum in an interview with CTV News, the word Chanukah comes from the word Chinuch, which means to educate, it is meant to educate the Jewish children in every generation about Freedom of religion, culture, and traditions.

The community of Ottawa has dedicated the lighting of the Chanukiah this year to honor a special person, Rabbi Mordechai Berger the first Shaliach of the Lubavitcher Rebbe to Ottawa, “Rabbi Berger was a real Chabad Ambassador to Ottawa”, said Rabbi Chaim Boyarsky Chabad Shaliach with the student network of Ottawa.

“The story of Chanukah occurred over two thousand years ago, and it is about the oil that the Menorah of the Temple that was supposed to last only one night, but ended up miraculously lasting for eight nights, which gave the Jewish oil press to obtain fresh olive oil to maintain the flame of the Candelabra of the Temple in Jerusalem.

“So every night is very special because we are celebrating that miracle,” said Aviva Sternberg a Jewish resident of Ottawa, who had joined several members of the community to mark the occasion often called the festival of lights.

WHAT'S ON THE MENU FOR CHANUKAH

Chanukah is celebrated on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, the Jewish calendar, which can be in early November or late December. This year's celebration started on the 18^th of December and runs through till the 26th. During the Chanukah holiday, families eat Latkes (potato pancakes), Sufganiyot (round jelly doughnuts), and other foods cooked in oil to celebrate the miracle of the Festival of Lights

Mada Community Center in collaboration with Chabad Ottawa has also joined with the Jewish community of Ottawa to distribute Shabbat to Share meals with a touch of Chanukah to a number of people in need, to help them also celebrate with pride along with the rest of the community. Mada is always working to make sure that no one is left behind.

CHANUKAH THROUGHOUT THE CITY

For a list of venues and events that commemorate the Festival of Chanukah or to learn more about the Community consult the website of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa or click here.