Sask. cities prepare to light menorahs in celebration of Hanukkah

Saskatoon and Regina will be shining some light during Hanukkah, the major Jewish holiday that starts Thursday.

Rabbi Raphael Kats of the Chabad Jewish Centre in Saskatoon said the holiday marks the miraculous victory of the Maccabees, a group of Jewish people in ancient Judea who fought and were victorious over the Seleucid Empire more than 2,000 years ago.

The Jewish people recaptured Jerusalem’s only temple and searched for pure oil to light the temple’s menorah. Kats said they found just enough oil to burn for one day, but it miraculously remained alight for eight days.

The eight-day celebration includes lighting a menorah by adding one candle each night.

Kats said the menorahs are placed either in a doorway or near a window of a home, and the candles are added after blessings.

There are also communal menorah lightings held to share Hanukkah’s message of freedom and the triumph of light over darkness. In Saskatoon, the 13th annual lighting will take place on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Remai Modern gallery.

With a war currently raging between Israel and Hamas and incidents of antisemitism on the rise in many countries, Kats said the instinct for some may be to hide their Jewish identity. But, he said, embracing the culture is more important now than ever before.

Kats said the centre has been in touch with the Saskatoon Police Service to help ensure the annual lighting event happens safely.

“We’re going to have an increased police presence, specifically now, in the time we find ourselves in,” he said.

Rabbi Avrohom Simmonds, director of Chabad Jewish Centre of Regina, reiterated that it’s an important time to connect with Jewish roots and share pride in the religion and culture with others.

Next Wednesday, members of both the Jewish and non-Jewish communities can gather at the Legislative Building in Regina at 6 p.m. to watch the lighting of a 20-foot menorah and participate in traditional food and festivities, Simmonds said.

To commemorate the miracle of oil that gave rise to the holiday, Simmonds said the community will indulge in delicious oily foods such as potato latkes and deep-fried jelly donuts.

Last year, Simmonds said around 200 attended the celebration. With warmer weather expected this year, he suspects the turnout will be even bigger.

Because of the war in Israel, Simmonds said safety is a top priority and the organization has been in touch with the Regina Police Service to make sure there is a visible law enforcement presence.

Simmonds said those interested in joining the event can reach out to the centre to have their names added to the list of attendees.

“In these trying times of our history, we need to celebrate light, goodness, and kindness,” the rabbi said. “(It) will always prevail over all evil, darkness, and bad things going on.”

Simmonds said people in Regina can show support for the Jewish community by using their voices and actions to encourage common sense and positivity, and to call out hatred and racism.