Arlington Heights welcomes everyone to Menorah Lighting
The Arlington Heights community is invited to Light Up Arlington Heights at the second annual Menorah Lighting, sponsored by the Chabad Jewish Center of Arlington Heights.
The Menorah Lighting will take place Sunday, Dec. 22, the first night of Chanukah, at 4:30 p.m. Mayor Tom Hayes and village officials will take part in the lighting, which is in the northwest corner of North School Park, corner of N. Evergreen Avenue and E. St. James Street.
The menorah lighting ceremony will be accompanied by live music, dancing, Chanukah refreshments and a photo-op with the Dreidel man.
"It's historic, and a welcome change, to see the menorah in Arlington Heights. Arlington Heights is not known as a village with a large Jewish community, so it is nice to see the Jewish community coming together," says Rabbi Yaakov Kotlarsky, director of the Chabad Jewish Center.
"With the rapid rise of anti-Semitism all over the country, most recently with the horrific attack in Jersey City, we turn to the light of the Menorah for a message of hope.
"The Menorah represents the light and strength that we need to overcome the challenges we encounter in our everyday lives," said Kotlarsky. "Every person is like a candle, we each have the ability to brighten the world."
Chaikie Kotlarsky, co-director of Chabad and coordinator of the event, says she believes the ceremony represents a message of hope.
"I never thought this day would come. I am very proud of Arlington Heights," Chaikie said.
"With the opening of the Chabad Jewish Center, the local Jewish community has grown tremendously. Considering all the darkness in the world, this is a wonderful example we are setting, proudly celebrating Chanukah right here in Arlington Heights."
Chanukah, the festival of lights, celebrates the victory of the few against the many, the weak against the mighty and the righteous against the wicked.
The festival also commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, during which only one day's supply of oil for the Temple Menorah miraculously lasted eight full days.
Traditional foods of this holiday are potato pancakes called "Latkes," served with applesauce or sour cream, and "Chanukah Gelt," or chocolate coins. Both of these delicacies will be served at the menorah lighting.
Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, begins this year on the evening of Sunday, Dec. 22 and concludes the evening of Monday, Dec. 30. For a schedule of local Chanukah events, visit www.chabadah.org/Chanukah.
Chabad Jewish Center of Arlington Heights offers Jewish education, outreach and social service programming for families and individuals of all ages, backgrounds and affiliations.
For more information, contact Rabbi Yaakov Kotlarsky at rabbi@chabadah.org or visit chabadah.org.
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