Hanukkah opens with lighting of the menorah Sunday
Published 8:49 am Saturday, December 5, 2015
LYNNWOOD — There will be chocolates and potato pancakes and a message in the darkness.
Sunday at dusk marks the beginning of Hanukkah.
The Chabad Jewish Center of Snohomish County is welcoming the public to a menorah lighting at 4:15 p.m. Sunday at Lynnwood City Hall, 19100 44th Ave. W.
“With a little light we can achieve so much,” Rabbi Berel Paltiel said. “I think that message is particularly important today when there is so much going on in the world.”
Hanukkah celebrates the successful uprising of the Maccabees against an oppressive Syrian-Greek government more than 2,100 years ago.
“It symbolizes the fight between good and evil,” Paltiel said.
The celebration, also known as the festival of lights, lasts eight days. According to tradition, when the Jews rededicated their Temple in Jerusalem they only had enough oil to burn for a single day. Miraculously, the oil lasted eight days.
Each night of Hanukkah, a candle is added to the menorah. The Jewish candelabrum should be displayed to the public to share the message of that victory so many years ago, Paltiel said.
Sunday’s celebration will include traditional songs and a blessing. Latkes, or potato pancakes, will be served along with chocolate coins. The Chabad center will hand out menorahs to anyone who wants one to take home. A performer will do tricks with fire.
County Executive-elect Dave Somers and Lynnwood Mayor Nicola Smith are scheduled to attend.
“I am so appreciative of our community organizations who are willing to share these events publicly, giving us the opportunity to learn from each other and build relationships,” Smith said.
Paltiel and his wife moved from Brooklyn, New York, nearly four years ago and opened the center in Lynnwood. The center provides religious services, classes, lectures and special events. There are about 4,000 Chabad centers worldwide.
“We wanted to be useful in a place where it’s needed,” Paltiel said.
Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463, hefley@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @dianahefley
