The eight days of Hanukkah are underway, with Menorah lighting events taking place in East Cobb and elsewhere on Sunday and also this week.
At The Avenue East Cobb, the Chabad of Cobb congregation teamed up with the retail center and the firefighters from Station 21 on Lower Roswell Road—located next to the synagogue—to conduct the annual chocolate gelt drop from high atop the engine ladder (video below).
Chocolate gelt coins wrapped in foil are a Hanukkah tradition, a gift to children who rushed in a mad scramble to scoop up all the treats they could (we got a little close to the action and took one on the forehead but can report the chocolate was delicious.)
A Menorah lighting also took place Sunday at East Cobb Park, led by Congregation Etz Chaim.
Rabbi Ephraim Silverman engaged with children on the stage in a teaching moment for young people to learn about the joy, hope and peace of the Hanukkah celebration, also known as the Festival of Lights.
Hanukkah commemorates the second-century (B.C.) rededication of the second temple of Jerusalem, where according to legend Jews rose up against their Greek-Syrian oppressors in the Maccabean Revolt.
The temple included a menorah with a candlabrum with nine branches. On Sunday, the candle placed above the others, the shammish, was lit at The Avenue Menorah, with the remaining eight to be lit individually through the final day of Hanukkah on Dec. 26.
Before the lighting began, a cantor sung blessings, and the youth-focused event included a magic show. Hanukkah also includes the playing and singing of Hanukkah songs, the playing of the dreidel, eating such foods as latkes and sufganiyot.
Related:
- Hey East Cobbers, show us your home holiday decorations!
- East Cobb Menorah lightings begin Hanukkah observances
- Cobb Library System holiday book sale continues through December
- Family-oriented holiday activities in the East Cobb area
- East Cobb’s Fox Family holiday lights display marks 15th year
- PHOTOS, VIDEOS: Holiday Lights go on at East Cobb Park
- PHOTOS: Johnson Ferry Christmas Party celebrates the season
- A holiday gift guide for shopping small in East Cobb
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