Celebrating Hanukkah in Waterloo region and Guelph

For the first time in 19 years, Hanukkah will fall on the same day as Christmas. Beginning at sundown, the eight-day celebration will be celebrated across the region and beyond. 

The Jewish festival commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after it was desecrated during Assyrian-Greek persecution thousands of years ago. A small group of Jews lit a menorah with only enough oil for one day to symbolize God's presence, but the menorah stayed lit for eight days and was proclaimed a miracle. 

Hanukkah therefore starts with the lighting of a Hanukkah menorah, or a Hanukkiah. One candle is lit each night so that by the eighth, every candle in the Hanukkiah blazes brightly. 

Here are some ways to mark Hanukkah in Waterloo Region and Guelph. 

Waterloo Region

From Saturday, Dec. 28 to Thursday, Jan. 2, Waterloo Public Library will be hosting a variety of activities including a scavenger hunt, colouring sheets, and a family crafts. 

Learn more about it here. 

Here's a list of public menorah lightings: 

Cambridge City Hall: Dec. 28, 7 p.m.

Waterloo Public Square: Dec. 29, 6 p.m.

Kitchener City Hall: Dec. 30, 6 p.m.

Guelph 

In Guelph, a nine foot tall menorah will be displayed at Market Square outside city hall starting Dec. 26. Rabbi Raphi Steiner, the director of the Chabad of Guelph, told CBC News that everyone is welcome for the festivities which begin at 4:30 p.m.

"The miracle of Hanukkah is unique in that part of the religious tradition is to publicize the miracle," said Steiner.

After the lighting of the menorah, Guelph City Hall will open up for the "Funukkah" fair, where there'll be a dreidel scavenger hunt, face painting, pizza dinner, and more. 

Steiner said the tradition is to celebrate with "lots of lights and oil foods."

"We need each other as a community and we need to rededicate ourselves to our faith."

Listen below to the interview with Rabbi Steiner about the significance of Hanukkah on CBC's The Morning Edition. 

The Morning Edition - K-W5:51Here's how to celebrate Hanukkah in Guelph this year

Dec. 25 marks Christmas but this year it's also the beginning of a holiday for Jewish communities. For the first time in 19 years, Hanukkah and Christmas will fall on the same day. Guelph will be celebrating with a nine-foot tall Menorah displayed in Market Square on Dec. 26. Rabbi Raphi Steiner, the director of the Chabad of Guelph, tells us more.