Hanukkah celebrations underway

PALMER — Wednesday at 5:30 p.m., the Mat-Su Jewish Center, Chabad Lubavitch is hosting a special Hanukkah event at the Palmer Train Depot. There they will light a giant, 9-foot tall menorah to commemorate the second night of Hanukkah. There will also be a series of games, activities, and refreshments for the whole family. Hillary the Ventriloquist will tell the story of Hanukkah. Kids will be able to jump around in a dreidel shaped bounce house and participate in various activity stations like the Grand Dreidel game. There will be an Israeli Style Buffet, with falafel and hummus, and even a “customize-your-own” doughnut station. This event is a family oriented event and according to event coordinator, and founder of the Mat-Su Jewish Center Rabbi Mendy Greenberg, the whole community is invited. Every visitor will get the chance to make their own dreidel and “Hanukkah themed” slime.

“Everyone, Jews and non-Jews alike are welcome,” Greenberg said.

Hanukkah or the “Festival of Lights” is the most widely recognized and celebrated Jewish holiday and it has a total 8 nights of celebration. On Tuesday, a group of the Valley’s Jewish community gathered in downtown Palmer, across the street from the Valley Hotel and lit the first candle, a light shared around the world, remembering the Jewish victory against religious persecution. According to Greenberg, the annual holiday also serves as a “beacon of hope.”

“Every person has the power and energy to save the world,” Greenberg said.

Greenberg believes that every person has a “divine spark” and events like Hanukkah shine a literal light in the darkness. He attributed the light of the candle as time for education, charity, and hope. Greenberg said that there is a special focus placed on children to learn the value of serving their community. Those in the Jewish community have “penny boxes” in their offices and homes. The boxes are intended to be a daily routine, to build the habit of giving. Greenberg said that by putting change in the box is like exercise; it builds charitable strength in one’s constitution. He said that most Jewish children have a box in their rooms.

He draws much of his inspiration from his parents and the world renowned Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. Greenberg and his parents have adopted the Schneerson’s international program that has about 5,000 total locations. His parents host an annual Hanukkah celebration in Anchorage amassing about 3,000 people. Greenberg established his own branch in the Valley, servicing from his home. Last year, about 300 people attended his Hanukkah event.

“Thanks to the great vision of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, Public Menorah lightings are hosted all over the world and symbolize the universal message of cultural tolerance, diversity, and the ultimate victory of light over darkness through spreading goodness and kindness to all,” Greenberg said.

The Mat-Su Jewish Center also has a giant menorah at Wasilla Lake. The Palmer Menorah is co-sponsored by Janet Kincaid, Randi Perlman, and an anonymous sponsor.

Dr. Lou Packer of the Urgent Care at Lake Lucille are sponsoring the Chanukah programs and activities. Greenberg gave a special thanks to patrons, Mr. and Mrs. Josh Fannon of Joshua Fannon Law Offices.

For more information about this event or the Mat-Su Jewish Center, contact Greenberg at 907-350-1787 or email at rabbi@matsujewishcenter.org.