The stormy weather didn’t dampen Chabad of Southern Delaware’s menorah lighting Dec. 10 in Dewey Beach. The lighting is usually held on the Baywalk at Dewey, behind Hyatt Place, but because of inclement weather, the Hyatt allowed the ceremony to be held in the Sunset Room. 

The fourth night of the eight-day Festival of Lights was celebrated by more than 100 people. The Chanukah event featured a public lighting, holiday songs, traditional hot latkes, fresh Brooklyn donuts, hot chocolate, music, games and more that kept the children engaged and energetic.

“The event was a beautiful show of community,” said Rabbi Sholom Vogel, director of Chabad of Southern Delaware. “Even in the unsavory weather conditions, over 100 people came together in a show of unity and celebration. This was very indicative of the resilience and morale of the Jewish people. When things really aren't going our way, we find a way to come together, to express our Jewish pride, and show each other and the world that we are proud Jews who will continue to grow, to learn and to flourish even here in southern Delaware. The energy in the room was very powerful. To see the community continue to grow with Jews from all walks of life is really very powerful and comforting. The future for the Jewish population here is very, very bright.”

On hand to help celebrate the event were Sen. Russ Huxtable, D-Lewes, and Dewey Beach Commissioner Elisabeth Gibbings.

Chanukah began this year on the evening of Dec. 7 and concludes the evening of Thursday, Dec. 15. It recalls the victory some 2,200 years ago of a militarily weak Jewish people who defeated the Syrian-Greeks who had overrun ancient Israel and sought to impose restrictions on the Jewish way of life and prohibit religious freedom. They desecrated and defiled the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and sought to prevent the lighting of the menorah, which was part of the daily service. Upon recapturing the temple, only one jar of undefiled oil was found, enough to burn only one day, but it lasted eight. In commemoration, Jews celebrate Chanukah for eight days by lighting an eight-branched candelabrum known as a menorah. Today, people of all faiths consider the holiday a symbol and message of the triumph of freedom over oppression, of spirit over matter, of light over darkness. Additional information about the holiday is available at chabad.org/holidays/chanukah/default_cdo/jewish/Hanukkah.htm.

Chabad of Southern Delaware, based in Lewes, serves the Sussex County area. For more information, call 302-377-1162 or email rabbi@jewishsoutherndelaware.com.