Page 13 - Aruba Today

LOCAL A13
Thursday 3 December 2015

As Part of the World’s Largest Chanukah Observance,
Nine-Foot Menorah to Light Up Aruba!

--This Chanukah, Jewish which was part of the daily Jewish unity and learn- Jewish observance. December 6th, will be lit
Community commemo- service in the temple, and ing. Throughout the year, Over the eight nights of at the Hilton Aruba Resort
rates once-every-seven- rendered them unfit for Jewish synagogues and Chanukah, Chabad Aru- at 5.30pm. At each event,
years tradition. use. Upon recapturing the organizations are hosting ba will be organizing nu- which is listed on our web-
Temple, the Jewish people communal gatherings for merous Menorah lighting site www.JewishAruba.
PALM BEACH - Chabad found one lone jar of un- men, women and children ceremonies all over the com/Chanukah2015, hot
Aruba will ignite a public defiled oil, enough to burn dedicated to encouraging Island. The first candle on latkes and donuts will be
9 foot menorah erected only one day, but it lasted served. All are welcome.
at the Playa Linda Plaza, miraculously for eight days
followed by a community- until new, pure olive oil EVENT RECAP:
wide celebration on the was produced. Ever since, What: Grand Chanukah
last night of Chanukah, in commemoration of this Party
which falls out on Decem- event, the Jewish people Where: Playa Linda Plaza
ber 13th. Following the me- celebrate Chanukah for When: December 13th
norah lighting ceremony, eight days by lighting an 6pm
participants will enjoy hot eight-branched candela- All welcome
latkes and delicious jelly bra known as a Menorah.
donuts, a variety of chil- The Menorah is placed on ABOUT CHABAD ARUBA:
dren’s activities with music a window or a doorpost Chabad Aruba offers
and entertainment for all facing the outside in order Jewish education, out-
the family. to publicize the miracle, reach and social service
The public menorah light- with its message of hope programming for families
ing was organized by and religious freedom, to and individuals of all ages,
Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi all. Today, to people of all backgrounds and affilia-
Ahron Blasberg, who re- faiths, the Chanukah holi- tions. For more informa-
marked, “The Menorah day serves as a symbol and tion, contact Rabbi Ahron
serves as a symbol of Aru- message of the triumph of Blasberg at 592-7613 and
ba’s dedication to pre- freedom over oppression, Rabbi@JewishAruba.com
serve and encourage the of spirit over matter, of light or visit www.JewishAruba.
right and liberty of all its citi- over darkness. comq
zens to worship G-d freely,
openly, and with pride.” This year’s Chanukah cel-
Aruba’s menorah is one of ebrations bring added sig-
thousands of large public nificance as Jewish com-
menorahs sponsored by munities worldwide cel-
Chabad throughout the ebrate the year of Hakhel,
world, helping children a once-every-seven-years
and adults of all walks of opportunity to celebrate
life discover and enjoy the
holiday message.
Chanukah, the Festival
of Lights, recalls the vic-
tory more than 2,000 years
ago of a militarily weak
but spiritually strong Jew-
ish people, over the mighty
forces of a ruthless enemy
that had overrun ancient
Israel and sought to im-
pose restrictions on the
Jewish way of life, prohibit
religious freedom and
force the Jewish people
to accept a foreign reli-
gion. During the occupa-
tion of Jerusalem and the
Temple, the Syrian Greeks
desecrated and defiled
the oils prepared for the
lighting of the Menorah,