'Feels like a miracle': Manitobans celebrating Hanukkah with in-person events
The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah began on Sunday, and Manitobans are thrilled to be able to celebrate in-person once again.
“It’s a very, very joyous celebration,” said Laura Marjovsky, manager of programming at the Rady JCC.
She noted said it’s amazing for everyone to celebrate together after nearly two years of living through a pandemic.
“It actually feels like a miracle and that’s one of the things that we celebrate on Chanukah – a miracle,” she said.
Rabbi Anibal Mass from Shaarey Zedek explained that Hanukkah marks two miracles in the 2nd century BCE – the first was when a group of Jewish people rebelled and won against their oppressors. Then after their win, they went to reclaim and rededicate their temple and experienced a second miracle when lighting the menorah -- a small amount of oil, which was only enough supply for one day, lasted eight days.
“It’s a time to be thankful for being able to for being able to celebrate the Jewish holidays in peace and freedom here in Canada,” he said.
“We also remember that freedom of religion is something that is worth fighting for.”
The eight-day celebration, also known as the festival of lights, involves lighting a menorah each day, gifts, and oily foods.
Mass added that everything revolves around the oil during Hanukkah, which is why Jewish people eat latkes (fried potato pancakes) and jelly-filled donuts.
“Everything is around oil, so we can remember, even through the food, this wonderful miracle,” he said.
The Rady JCC kicked off celebrations by inviting families to participate in games and face painting on Sunday. They also had the opportunity to indulge in some traditional holiday foods.
The Rady JCC is holding other Hanukkah events including an adult paint night, a holiday concert, and candle lightings. More information can be found online.
The Simkin Centre is holding an outdoor event with giant menorahs on Monday, and Shaarey Zedek is holding a ‘This is Jewpardy – Chanukah Edition’ event on Thursday and a family concert on Sunday.
- With files from CTV’s Rachel Lagace.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Calgary police to release more details on pro-Palestinian protest
Details on arrests, tickets and charges against a number of pro-Palestinian protesters arrested at the University of Calgary will be released on Friday, police say,
Her SUV was stolen in Montreal. A Good Samaritan on Facebook helped her get it back
Just as she had feared, a restaurant owner from eastern Quebec who visited Montreal had her SUV stolen, but says it was all thanks to the kindness of strangers on the internet — not the police — that she got it back.
Oprah Winfrey: I set an unrealistic standard for dieting
Oprah Winfrey said on Thursday evening that she has long played a role in promoting unhealthy and unrealistic diets.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Toronto police called to Drake's Bridle Path mansion for another alleged intruder on Thursday
Toronto police say a man who allegedly attempted to access Drake’s Bridle Path property was taken to hospital on Thursday after an altercation with security guards.