LAKE COMO – The Lake Como District hosted its first Hanukkah celebration and menorah lighting last weekend in collaboration with its Tourism Commission.
On Sunday, Dec. 29, the fifth evening of Hanukkah, more than 60 residents and community members gathered for a night of celebration by lighting the district's electronic menorah in front of City Hall before moving inside for more celebrations.
The celebration was led by Lake Como Tourism Commission member and local realtor Carly Ringer, who also sponsored festive Hanukkah treats for the event.
“Being Jewish and living in the district, I thought it was time to start a new tradition,” she previously told The Coast Star. “As a multicultural city, this is the perfect way to make neighbors feel included in the vacation.”
Rabbi Ari Blech of Congregation Agudath Achim in Bradley Beach led participants in the menorah lighting ceremony in front of the meetinghouse, telling the assembled audience in detail the history of the holiday and sharing some themes of the fifth night of Hanukkah.
“The interesting thing is that, unlike other holidays, Jews were never at risk – but Judaism was. It was about religion,” Rabbi Ari said.
Rabbi Ari told the crowd how the holiday began in the second century B.C.E. Beginning in 200 BC, it described the recapture of Jerusalem and the rededication of the Second Temple, highlighting the miracle of a single jar of oil that lasted just one day and lasted eight days.
He pointed out that among the benefits for the holiday on the fifth evening of the celebration are freedom from religious persecution, the courage and faith to fight for what you believe in, the ability to see miracles and acknowledge God, as well as the unity among people.
After the outdoor menorah lighting, participants were welcomed into the community hall to shake off the cold before diving into Hanukkah crafts and games with dreidels, Hanukkah bingo and festive treats like sufganiyot, a type of Jewish donut, and gelt fell. also known as chocolate coins.
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