After a couple of days of (rare) poor weather, the heavens cleared and it turned into a bright sunny afternoon for the Chabad Hanukkah in the Park event at Hagley Park, Christchurch on December 14, 2017.
There was a slight hiccup from the Park Ranger who said that a structure couldn’t be erected in Hagley Park without prior approvals, but after a short conversation with the Rabbi, he let it go.
Various members of the shul were there together with a few others, some Christians.
The children enjoyed the treasure hunt and Rabbi Mendel Goldstein retold the story of Hanukkah with gusto.
For those who don’t know, the festival of Hanukkah commemorates the restoration of the Jerusalem temple to Judaic worship after Hellenistic Jews attempted to replace it with the pantheistic religion of Zeus and the other idols of Greek mythology.
With Judaic worship restored, there was only sufficient oil to light the Menorah for one day but it would take several days to prepare a new supply. Miraculously one day’s supply lasted eight days, hence the eight branches of a menorah intended for Hanukkah, a Hannukiah.
My children learned new Hebrew phrases, like “Hanukkah sameach!” and “Nes Gadol!” Their 9 year old friends who had had no prior exposure to Jewish culture were bemused.
The children engaged in the games Mendel ran and all were pleased to receive dreidels, Hanukkah candles and craft projects to do.
Rabbi Mendie honoured NZ Friends of Israel by granting us the privilege of lighting the Shamash. Then other members of the Jewish community braved the tall ladder to light the three candles for the third night of Hanukkah.
All in all a fun and light experience and an opportunity for both Jewish and non-Jewish peoples to engage and learn more about each other. Hope you can catch the other Hanukkah events in Auckland and Wellington.
Bless you all, the chosen of YAH, and thank you for sharing this time with us