First Night Of Hanukkah Celebrated In Lafayette

LAFAYETTE, CA – More than 200 people gathered Tuesday in Lafayette Plaza Park to light the Hanukkah menorah and mark the first night of the Jewish holiday that celebrates perseverance, faith and the power of light over darkness.

“War, might, force, is a power,” said Rabbi Israel Labkowski, the regional director of Chabad Lubavitch of Lamorinda. “But light, the mind, ideas are far more powerful.”

Mayor Mike Anderson, Police Chief Eric Christensen and other city officials attended the event, sponsored by the Chabad Jewish Center of Lamorinda.

“Events like these, really attract people from all over to celebrate, which is what the holiday season is all about,” Anderson said.

In addition to the lighting of the giant menorah, songs and music were enjoyed, along with latkes and doughnuts.

The eight-day festival of Hanukkah commemorates the Jews’ victory over Greek rule more than 2,000 years ago. After driving out the powerful military, the Jews were able to rekindle the menorah in the Jerusalem Temple. One day’s worth of oil burned for eight nights, Rabbi Mendel Weinfeld said.

The ancient story has a modern message, especially for those weary of a seemingly endless stream of violence, corruption and crime, said Weinfeld, a rabbinical student who came from Brooklyn to help organize the event.

“There is so much darkness all around us, there are so many bad things around the world,” Weinfeld said. “But if you bring even a little bit of light, just a tiny bit, the darkness is pushed away.”

Rabbi Labkowski encouraged the families who gathered around to bring their own light, by being kind and helping others.

“Every little act of goodness, of kindness, of charity we do is another candle lit in the world of darkness,” Labkowski said. “Ultimately, we are assured that all those little activities we do to bring holiness into the world will bring the world out of its darkness with the coming of the Messiah, may it be now."

The community is invited to the Hanukkah party Sunday at the Orinda Community Center.

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• FOR OTHER CHANUKAH EVENTS IN THE AREA: Menorah Lightings & Hanukkah Celebrations: SF Bay Area 2017

• HEADING ELSEWHERE IN CALIFORNIA: Hanukkah Happenings & Menorah Lightings 2017 In California

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ALSO FROM THE PATCH HOLIDAY FILES:

• Holiday Tree Lightings, Parades & Ice Rinks: SF Bay Area 2017

• Skate Through The Season: Holiday Ice Rinks In SF Bay Area

• Holiday Happenings At Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk 2017

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--Photos courtesy of Mendel Weinfeld