The post Jewish Pride and Confidence: Lake County Marks 50 Years of Hanukkah in the Public Sphere appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

Recognizing the often high price tag attached to synagogue seats during the High Holidays and the tough economic situation many families are facing, Chabad of S. Lake County is opening its doors wide and inviting all Lake County’s Jews to attend at no cost and participate in a meaningful celebration of the Jewish New Year.

Chabad-Lubavitch — today, the world’s largest and fast-growing Jewish organization — has for decades championed the belief that Judaism belongs to every Jew, and it should be accessible to all. By embodying this ethos, Chabad has made High Holiday services available free of charge, a model other synagogues and movements around the world are beginning to emulate.

Chabad’s user-friendly services and warm inclusive environment make for an enjoyable and meaningful experience, suitable for the beginner and the advanced. Utilizing traditional tunes and songs, commentary and bilingual prayer-books, Chabad engages individuals of all levels as active participants in the service.

“The Rebbe — Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, the most influential rabbi in modern history, who is credited with orchestrating a post-Holocaust Jewish renaissance — insisted that Judaism be accessible and welcoming to all Jews,” noted Rabbi Moshe Dubinsky. “We strive to actualize that vision with an inclusive nonjudgmental atmosphere, affordable services and ensuring ease for beginners to follow along.”

“Jewish tradition teaches us that on the New Year, the gates of Heaven are open and G‑d hears all prayers,” adds Rabbi Moshe Dubinsky, director of Chabad of S. Lake County. “We must keep our doors and hearts open to all as well.”

For details about Chabad of S. Lake County’s services or to reserve a space, please visit JewishSL.com/Highholidays or call 352-717-4119.

About the High Holidays

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, begins this year at sundown on Wednesday, October 2-4. Meaning “head of the year,” the two-day holiday commemorates the creation of the world and marks the beginning of the Days of Awe, a 10-day period of introspection and repentance that culminates in theYom Kippur holiday, this year October 11-12. The shofar is the central ritual of the Rosh Hashanah synagogue service. Yom Kippur—the Day of Atonement—is considered the holiest day on the Jewish calendar. The holiday is observed by fasting and prayers and according to tradition, G‑d decides each person’s fate on this day.

For more information about the High Holidays visit JewishSL.com/HighHolidays.

About Chabad of S. Lake County: Chabad of S. Lake County offers Jewish education, outreach and social service programming for families and individuals of all ages, backgrounds and affiliations and was established by emissaries of the Rebbe in 2020.

The post Chabad Of S. Lake County Makes High Holiday Services Available To All Lake County’s Jews appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

Upon recapturing the Temple only one jar of undefiled oil was found, enough to burn only one day, but it lasted miraculously for eight. In commemoration, Jews celebrate Hanukkah 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.

Chabad of S. Lake County will ignite a public 9 foot Hanukkah menorah erected at Waterfront Park, followed by a community-wide celebration on November 28th, the 1st night of the eight-day holiday. The ceremony, organized by Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Moshe Dubinsky, will feature a firetruck gelt drop, a Kosher food truck all the way from Jacksonville and special dignitaries. After the gelt drop we will have a menorah lighting ceremony where we will dance, sing and eat the night away, followed by the most spectacular ‘African High Flyers’ as seen on ‘America’s Got Talent!’

“The menorah serves as a symbol of Lake County’s dedication to preserve and encourage the right and liberty of all its citizens to worship G‑d freely, openly, and with pride. This is true especially in America, a nation that was founded upon and vigorously protects the right of every person to practice his or her religion free from restraint and persecution,” said Rabbi Moshe Dubinsky.

“I want my kids to grow up with pride in their Jewish heritage and a feeling of equality and self-confidence as Americans” said Denise Febres of Minneola, who is looking forward to attending the public menorah lighting. “Chabad Lubavitch’s Hanukkah menorahs are arguably one of the most important developments ever to help my child’s education. I wish they had this where I grew up.”

The Menorah lighting is part of the worldwide Hanukkah campaign, an initiative launched by the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, in 1973. The campaign highlights and encourages the central theme of the holiday — publicizing the story of the Hanukkah miracle.

“The message of Hanukkah is the message of light,” added Rabbi Dubinsky. “The nature of light is that it is always victorious over darkness. A small amount of light dispels a lot of darkness. Another act of goodness and kindness, another act of light, can make all the difference.”

Today, the unprecedented public display of Hanukkah has become a staple of Jewish cultural and religious life, forever altering the American practice and awareness of the festival. Clermont’s menorah is one of more than 15,000 large public menorahs sponsored by Chabad in more than 100 countries around the world, including in front of landmarks such as the White House, the Eiffel Tower, and the Kremlin, helping children and adults of all walks of life discover and enjoy the holiday message

Throughout the State of Florida, Chabad will be presenting dozens of Hanukkah events and celebrations, including public Menorah Lightings,

To find a local event in Florida, or practically anywhere throughout the world, visit the international Hanukkah event directory at www.jewishsl.com/HanukkahEvents.

Note: The Cost of the event is FREE.  Sign up by Nov. 25 for a chance to win a giant inflatable Menorah @ Jewishsl.com/festival)

ABOUT THE SPONSORING ORGANIZATION
Chabad of S. Lake County offers Jewish education, outreach and social service programming for families and individuals of all ages, backgrounds and affiliations. For more information, contact Rabbi Moshe Dubinsky, Chabad of S. Lake County, at 352-717-4119, Info@jewishsl.com or visit Jewishsl.com.

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