The weather was inviting and the atmosphere was festive for the annual Menorah lighting Sunday at Avenue East Cobb.
Coming midway during the Hanukkah celebrations, the event sponsored by Chabad of Cobb drew many families with children, including students at the synagogue’s Cobb Jewish Preschool.
There was plenty of food and refreshments to nosh on, music aimed at youngsters and plenty of holiday lights festooning the Avenue’s public plaza area.
Kids chanted and sang along with Rabbi Ephraim Silverman, who reminded onlookers of the spiritual nature of the Jewish holiday that’s an eight-day tribute commemorating Jewish liberation from oppressors.
Silverman called for prayers for Israel and the Jewish people, especially in light of the continuing conflict with Hamas and other entities in the Middle East.
Hanukkah, he told East Cobb News later, reflects “the battle for the soul of Jewish life.” And each of the eight daily candles that are lighted “are the flames of the soul of Jewish life.”
The celebration of light, he added, is to encourage Jews to “live a soulful life, connected to God.”
He was asked how that message resonates with Jews today given the circumstances that include widespread anti-Israeli protests in the West, including the United States.
“In many ways, for a lot of Jewish people, it’s been kind of an awakening,” Silverman said.
He said that the prostestors—many of them waving Palestinian flags—”don’t represent many in this country. The same people who were burning Israeli flags were also burning American flags.”
Sunday’s festivities concluded with a traditional dropping of the gelt—chocolate coins–by ladder crew members of Cobb Fire Station 21.
Hanukkah continues continues through Thursday.
Related:
- Keep Cobb Beautiful Christmas tree holding recycling event
- Cobb Police set up safe holiday shopping e-commerce zones
- PHOTOS, VIDEOS: Holiday Lights celebration at East Cobb Park
- Fox Family holiday lights display runs through Jan. 7
- Avenue East Cobb holiday lights go up, and all around
- East Cobb interfaith service stresses ’embracing responsibility’
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