This Hanukkah, Lake County is seeing a surge in public displays of the holiday and Jewish identity, with many more families and individuals planning to light their menorahs in visible places, such as their doors or windows. As part of these celebrations, Chabad of S. Lke County is organizing a Chanukah celebration on Dec. 14 at 4:45 pm at Waterfront Park in Clermont FL. Featuring a BMX show, menorah lighting, kosher food truck, helicopter gelt drop – a unique Hanukkah celebration promoting the festival of light.
“At this time of surging engagement for the Jewish community, we are doing more to celebrate Hanukkah with joy and Jewish pride,” said Rabbi Moshe Dubinsky. “The Menorah and Hanukkah represent freedom of the human spirit, freedom from tyranny and oppression, and of the victory of good over evil.”
This Chanukah celebration is part of the worldwide Hanukkah campaign, established in 1973 by the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, to build awareness and promote observance of Hanukkah. Today, public menorahs, car parades, and Hanukkah displays have become a staple of Jewish cultural and American public life, forever altering the American practice and perception of the festival.
This year’s Hanukkah campaign will be one of unprecedented light and joy, seeing Chabad reach 8 million Jews in more than 100 countries. Clermont’s menorah is one of over 15,000 large public menorahs throughout the world, including notable menorahs in front of the White House, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the St. Louis Arch, Great Wall of China, and Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate.
The Menorah: A Symbol of Liberty
“The Rebbe taught that the Menorah is a universal symbol of liberty, and holds an important place in American life,” added Rabbi Moshe Dubinsky. “The celebration of Hanukkah underscores the G-d endowed liberty that is at the heart of what America represents.”
