Mat-Su Jewish Center Chabad hosting Chanukah events

The Mat-Su Jewish Center Chabad will be hosting several free Chanukah events around the Valley this month to share the message of the holiday with everyone in the community and shine a light this winter season.

“Throughout the years, our Chanukah events have become famous for being a staple of the Valley,” Mat-Su Jewish Center Chabad Rabbi Mendy Greenberg said. “Everyone comes, everyone joins.”

Chanukah begins on Sunday, December 14 at sundown. It celebrates the victory of a small group of Jews called the Maccabees as they led a revolt 2100 years ago against the Syrian Greek Seleucid Empire in a fight for religious freedom, liberty and tolerance. When the Maccabees reclaimed and rededicated their temple, they only had enough olive oil to light their menorah for one day. Instead, they would have enough oil to light their menorah for eight days and this miracle is now celebrated every year in memory of the event.

The message of Chanukah that Rabbi Greenberg wishes to share is facing darkness and negativity by shining a light of holiness and positivity to dissipate that darkness.

“It’s so satisfying and it gives me so much pleasure to see how others are inspired by the beautiful message of Chanukah,” Rabbi Greenberg said. “Every time we light the menorah and every time we talk about its message, you see how it resonates with people.”

The first candle is lit on the first day of the holiday. An additional candle is lit every night until all are lit at the end of the eight days. Each candle signifies growth and exemplifies facing new challenges each day. The menorah is often lit by the door or a window to help share the message with others.

The Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, is one of the most influential Jewish leaders of recent times. The Rebbe began a campaign to bring this message and the lighting of the menorah outside to share with others and in public spaces. In an effort to follow the teachings of the Rebbe, the Mat-Su Jewish Center Chabad will be hosting several menorah lighting events.

The ‘Jump In To Chanukah’ celebration will be on Tuesday December 16 at the Glenn Massay Theater at 5 p.m. The main attraction is a performance by an extreme pogo team followed by the lighting of a nine foot tall menorah. There will be arts and crafts available for children and dinner will be provided.

A 20-foot-tall menorah lighting ceremony will take place on Wasilla Lake on December 21 at 3:30 p.m. The giant menorah is designed by local artist Pat Garley and all eight candles will be lit for the last night of Chanukah. Holiday treats will be available and music will be supplied by DJ George Sikat. This event will also feature a chocolate gelt drop from the ladder of a firetruck for children to enjoy. It is a Chanukah tradition to share gifts of money and coins and the gelt drop signifies that, sharing the joy of the holiday with children of the Valley.

“It’s going to be a very beautiful and exciting event lighting that tall menorah,” Rabbi Greenberg said.

Other events in the Valley include a menorah lighting in Talkeetna on Sunday, December 14 at 3:30 p.m. for the first evening of Chanukah. Menorah lightings will be hosted at the Palmer Train Depot on December 15, 17, 18 and 20 at 5:30 p.m. and again on Saturday December 20 at 6 p.m. An additional menorah lighting will be hosted at the Wasilla Area Seniors Inc. Center on

Thursday December 18 at 12:45 p.m.

Many members of the community attend these events each year, Rabbi Greenberg said, and he encourages everyone to come and join in the celebration. Similar events will be celebrated across the country and worldwide this month. This year also celebrates 75 years of the Rebbe’s leadership.

“We’re doing this all because the Rebbe said that we should bring the light of Chanukah to every single corner of the world, to inspire as many people as possible with this beautiful message,” Rabbi Greenberg said.