Chabad hosting Chanukah event Monday

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Today, 06:00 AM

A nine-foot Hanukkah menorah stands ready to be lit as Chabad of Boerne hosts its annual Chanukah celebration beginning at 5:30 p.m. Monday at Main Plaza.

The Dec. 30 ceremony, organized by Chabad of Boerne, a Jewish outreach organization catering to the Texas Hill Country communities, features lighting of the nine menorah candles, music by The Pertnears, refreshments and a chocolate gelt drop sponsored by the Bergheim Fire Department.

Following the menorah lighting ceremony, there will be dancing, singing and eating donuts and latkes.

“The menorah serves as a symbol of the right and liberty of all citizens to worship God freely, openly and with pride,” Rabbi Yossi Marrus, Chabad of Boerne executive director, said. “This nation was founded upon and vigorously protects the right of every person to practice his or her religion free from restraint and persecution.

“This message is even more timely as we see expressions of hate and antisemitism rears its ugly head,” Marrus added.

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

Boerne’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, and the Eiffel Tower, helping children and adults of all walks of life discover and enjoy the holiday message.

Throughout the state of Texas, Chabad will sponsor dozens of Hanukkah events and celebrations.

“The message of Chanukah is the message of light,” Marrus said. “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. Together, we can illuminate our communities and country with the light of goodness” he said.