First Night sheds light on Hanukkah
A tradition is illuminated.
This Tuesday at sundown, members of the Jewish community will gather to mark the arrival of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights. The holiday comes on the 25th day of Kislev in the third month of the Jewish calendar, and commemorates the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem by Judah Maccabee in 165 B.C.
After the temple had been profaned by Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the Greek king of Syria and overlord of Palestine, a small band of Jewish fighters led by Maccabee defeated the powerful Greek forces. Once they reclaimed the temple after three years of fighting, they found only enough oil to burn in the menorah for one day. But, miraculously, the oil burned for eight days.
A public menorah lighting is scheduled for Tuesday, presented by Chabad of Charleston and The Yaschik/Arnold Jewish Studies Program at the College of Charleston, in cooperation with the city of Charleston.
The citywide First Night celebration, 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Marion Square, is co-sponsored by congregations Brith Sholom Beth Israel, Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim and Synagogue Emanu-El, as well as the Charleston Jewish Community Center, Charleston Jewish Federation and Addlestone Hebrew Academy.
The celebration will feature live music, including a performance by the Jewish Choral Society. Jump castles, face-painting and craft tables will be available for children. Participants can make a dreidel or a menorah, or fry some doughnuts.
This is Rabbi Yossi Refson's first Hanukkah in Charleston. Refson and his wife, Sarah, came to the area a few months ago, part of the Chabad-Lubavitch outreach movement. Based in Mount Pleasant, the Refsons promote "a philosophy of nonjudgemental Judaism, reaching out to people where they are," the rabbi said.
Chabad of Charleston sponsors community events such as the recent Shofar Factory project and challah bread bake, and the Chanukah Bowl at Twin River Lanes on Dec. 9. The Chanukah Bowl is a family affair for anyone interested in bowling, pizza, latkes, celebration, community or any combination of the above, the Refsons said.
Mount Pleasant has no synagogue, yet its Jewish population is growing, Yossi Refson noted.
"We are trying to reach out to unaffiliated or intermarried Jews," he said, or anyone interested in aspects of Jewish culture or faith. "Judaism is not all or nothing."
And so Chabad of Charleston offers a "buffet of Jewish tradition," he said.
In only a few months, the Refsons have made inroads, catering to the needs and interests of Jews and forging relationships with leaders in the community.
"The Jewish community of Charleston does an excellent job of working together to make things happen," said Martin Perlmutter, director of the College of Charleston's Jewish Studies Program.
"Having Chabad as a new member this year, working with us and enriching Charleston with its outreach initiatives, is testimony to the welcoming environment that defines Jewish life in Charleston."
As he does each year, Perlmutter is overseeing a huge latke fry at the center. Dozens of students are elbow-deep in potato mash and frying oil preparing for Tuesday's Hanukkah event at Marion Square.
"We have over 200 pounds of potatoes that the students at the college will prepare for the Hanukkah festival," he said. "The Jewish Studies Center will smell like latkes for weeks."
Reach Adam Parker at 937-5902 or aparker@postandcourier.com.
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