Jews in Winnipeg prepare for Hanukkah with hope and defiance
Zubina Ahmed | CBC News | Posted: December 7, 2023 7:33 PM | Last Updated: December 8, 2023
8-day Jewish festival of lights begins Thursday evening
Lawyer Cynthia Lazar says reports of antisemitism in Winnipeg will not dampen her spirit as she celebrates Hanukkah.
"We are continuing. Nothing stops us from celebrating our holidays and living our life," she said this week.
The eight-day Jewish festival of light, which begins Thursday evening, is being celebrated amid heightened tensions as the Israeli-Hamas war continues.
Lazar said people in the Jewish community are celebrating Hanukkah, but the mood is subdued because they're mourning current events.
"We are anxiously awaiting the return of the rest of the hostages. We are shocked and saddened by all the reports of the ongoing violence that affects both the Jews and the Palestinians," she said.
The hostages were taken when Hamas militants entered Israel from Gaza on Oct. 7 and killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, sparking the war. The densely populated Gaza Strip has since been bombarded and invaded by Israeli forces, with thousands of Palestinians killed.
"My observation of the holiday will not be changed by current events other than, of course, there's an underlying solemn mood," Lazar said.
Jews light candles in the nine-candle hanukkiah (sometimes also called a Hanukkah menorah) for each of the eight nights of Hanukkah. It is traditionally placed in a location that is visible to those outside, such as in a doorway or by a window.
WATCH | Ceremony at legislature marks start of Hanukkah:
A hanukkiah was lit at the Manitoba Legislature Thursday night. Premier Wab Kinew helped ring in the holiday by lighting the first candle in front of many members of Winnipeg's Jewish community.
There was also a mobile hanukkiah outside the building, which will make its way throughout the city throughout Hanukkah.
Lazar said nothing will dissuade her from displaying the Hanukkah menorah.
"Menorah is the miracle of the light, and we put it in the windows of our houses so that people can publicize the miracle of the light."
Rabbi Avrohom Altein of Chabad-Lubavitch of Winnipeg, a Jewish learning centre and service organization, said Hanukkah symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and sharing this sentiment is important.
"We're living in a world where there's a lot of violence," Altein said. "The darkness looks frightening, but it's all empty, and if we bring in light, it's going to make all the difference."
Altein urges everyone — people from all nationalities — to spread kindness, peace and unity this Hanukkah.
Jewish people don't want to be frightened into a corner, he said, and they're determined to go ahead with their regular celebrations.
"A lot of people I've spoken to are more enthusiastic than before and want to stand tall and proud about the fact that they're Jewish, rather than hide their identity," he said.
"People are very enthusiastic about this and we have more people, you know, signing up for all our events, more than I'd ever imagined."
The Chabad-Lubavitch events include a celebration at the centre on Sunday and a car menorah parade on Wednesday. A special event for kids on Thursday next week in Transcona will wrap up their celebration.
Altein believes every single candle lit on Hanukkah is a triumph of good over evil.
"One single candle can make a difference, and every night, we add just one more candle," he said.
"Every individual, by being a better person, could make a very tremendous difference to this world."
Rachel Gerstein, a retired nurse originally from Israel who has lived in Winnipeg for over 30 years, said her emotions are mixed this Hanukkah.
"In the beginning, I didn't feel safe here. I still do not feel safe when I go out," she said. "I'm afraid, yes."
However, she believes that as a community, Jews need to be resilient, hopeful and fearless, "and hopefully we're going to be fine."
"We're going to survive whatever is coming our way."
She visited family members in Israel in June and said missiles were common.
"Half of the time I had to stay in the shelter, so it's not something new."
However, the situation is getting worse every day, she said.
"You always know somebody that knows somebody that had lost somebody and some families that got kidnapped."
Gerstein worries that Jewish Canadians may be targeted for displaying religious symbols, but despite risks, she will proudly put her Hanukkah menorah outside.
"I am not going to let anybody terrorize me.… I have a friend, they're saying that they were contemplating on putting the menorah inside the door, and I said there's no way," she said.
"I'm not going to hide that I'm Jewish, and I'm not going to be afraid to put my menorah in the outside window."
Lazar echoed those words.
"Hanukkah is primarily about maintaining our identity," she said. "And we will maintain our traditions and our heritage with pride."