'Sharing the light' Mat-Su Jewish Center celebrates Chanukah with community

PALMER — The Mat-Su Jewish Center was joined by community members to welcome the first night of Chanukah during a public menorah lighting in front of the Valley Hotel in downtown Palmer Thursday, Dec. 7.

"Today was a good start to the festivities and the holiday," Mat-Su Jewish Center Director Rabbi Mendy Greenberg said.

Greenberg said the meaning of Chanukah centers around coming together and "sharing the light" of positivity.

"It's about the spirit. It's about the soul," Greenberg said. "A little bit of light expels a lot of darkness."

Greenberg noted that the message of Chanukah is particularly important this season as the Israel-Hamas war continues overseas.

"Every year is relevant, but the relevance is stronger than ever this year," Greenberg said.

"The Jews have been through a lot before, and we always come out the other side stronger."

The largest event of this year's Chanukah celebrations will be a performance at the Glenn Massay Theater Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 5 p.m. featuring the Spin-Tacular Basketball & Unicycling Family as seen on "America's Got Talent."

"We are really really excited about it," Greenberg said.

The Jewish Center holds a large public gathering each season of Chanukah to celebrate the holiday with the community. Greenberg said this is the first time they're holding the Chanukah celebration outside the Palmer Train Depot, noting that the Massay is a good middle ground for visitors across the Valley.

The Chanukah on Unicycles event will also feature a buffet, crafts, games, and a menorah lighting. It's free and open to the public.

"It's going to be a very fun inspirational event," Greenberg said.

The large menorah standing in front of the Valley Hotel is one of four structures placed across the Valley every holiday season. The other locations are Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, the Menard Sports Center, and Wasilla Lake.

Greenberg said that Arctic Fire Bronze owner Patrick Garley is building the tallest menorah in Alaska to be featured at Wasilla Lake this year. He said the public menorah will come in around 20 feet in height and it will also serve as a dedication to the late former Wasilla Mayor Bert Cottle who welcomed the Jewish Center's Chanukah celebrations nearly a decade ago.

"It really connects the message of Chanukah to a local level," Greenberg said. "The Mat-Su Valley is so welcoming to the Jewish community."

The Mat-Su Jewish Center is holding public menorah lightings in front of the Valley Hotel each night of Chanukah: 5:30 p.m. Dec. 7, 2 p.m. Dec. 8, 6 p.m. Dec. 9, 3:30 p.m. Dec. 10, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 11, 5:30 Dec. 13, and 5:30 Drc. 14.

For more information, visit matsujewishcenter.org.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com