Rabbi reflects on local Chanukah celebrations

The Mat-Su Jewish Center and Chabad recently celebrated Chanukah throughout the Valley with public menorah lightings and community events. Despite the less than ideal weather conditions, many gathered to celebrate Chanukah and rejoice in the holiday’s message.

“The Chanukah celebration of the Mat-Su Valley was an exceptional success,” Rabbi Mendy Greenberg said.

The events began with the first public Chanukah celebration and lighting of the-12 foot menorah in Talkeetna. Over 50 people from the community were in attendance. Rabbi Greenberg spoke about a member of the community that attended who had not planned on coming, but changed his mind after hearing of the attack during the Chanukah celebration in Australia.

“Initially, he was not thinking of coming out, and that terrible attack in Australia is actually what encouraged him and made him feel how much he needed to reconnect and to celebrate Chanukah,” Rabbi Greenberg said.

Rabbi Greenberg said he felt the same sentiments throughout the eight days of Chanukah. In a time when members of the Jewish community may take the attacks as a threat and take the time to celebrate privately, Jewish people around the world used it as a catalyst to share the light and message of Chanukah even stronger and more publicly than ever before.

“It started out with such a slap, with such horror, to start off Chanukah that way,” Rabbi Greenberg said. “I think the menorah lightings were the antidote, the medicine, the cure… It was the best thing that the Jewish people could have had, those celebrations.”

Other menorah lightings were held throughout the Valley during the holiday celebration. Drivers passing by Wasilla Lake may have seen the menorah along the Parks Highway shining bright throughout the poor weather. The “Jump Into Chanukah” event at the Glenn Massay Theater was also a success.

A large group of community members braved the 50 mile per hour winds that roared across Wasilla Lake for the lighting of the giant menorah and celebration during the last night of Chanukah. The eight days of events brought out both members of the Jewish community and nonmembers alike.

“What it told me was, how much these Chanukah public celebrations really touched the heart of each Jew individual and the Jewish community at large and in more greater ways to all of humanity,” Rabbi Greenberg said.

Rabbi Greenberg and the Mat-Su Jewish Center Chabad thank the Mat-Su Health Foundation for their grant that allowed them to host the menorah lightings and events to help bring the community together. He said people at every event thanked them for hosting these celebrations for all to enjoy.

“It was really heartwarming to see how much it means to the people here, how much it means to the Jewish community, how much it means to the greater community,” Rabbi Greenberg said.

The Mat-Su Jewish Center and Chabad is currently hosting a campaign and fundraiser online to expand their facilities. After 10 years being part of the community, they are outgrowing their current location. They are working on purchasing property adjacent to where they are currently located now to build a new facility that will house their programs, including a new preschool, a new synagogue, a social hall, classrooms, a library and an “Ark” center, something that Rabbi Greenberg is especially excited about.

The “Ark” stands for acts of routine kindness, and the new community center will be open and the purpose is to inspire the idea of kindness and generosity for all. It will include an indoor playground for children, a place for people to share ideas and talents to include knitting and sewing, and a cafe where local teens can obtain jobs.

“It’s going to be a home for everyone in the Valley,” Rabbi Greenberg said.

The fundraiser will help cover purchasing the new property and initial work with architects to get the project started. The center is also in the process of building their mikvah, a Jewish ritual bath, at their current location. They are also fundraising to continue hosting community events throughout the year.

A group of generous donors have pledged to triple the amount of every donation made to the center before the end of December. Those interested in donating can visit jewishmatsu.org and follow the prompts. They are currently just under halfway to their goal of $500,000.

“We encourage everybody who appreciates what the Jewish Center does for this community and wants to see the Jewish Center grow and be able to do so much more for the community to consider to help with an end of the year giving gift,” Rabbi Greenberg said.

Rabbi Greenberg mentioned the teachings of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, and how he taught that every living thing must grow.

“The fact that after 10 years of being here, we are growing in such a great way, is a sign of real life,” Rabbi Greenberg said.