Hanukkah ceremony slated in Cranberry
CRANBERRY TWP — Residents of all faiths are invited to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah next week.
The fourth annual Light Up the Night event, which will include a menorah-lighting ceremony and a party, will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Cranberry Township Municipal Center, 2525 Rochester Road.
Chabad Fox Chapel provides the 9-foot high menorah, which will be displayed outside the municipal center and be visible from Rochester Road.
The event also is sponsored by Cranberry Jewish Community Association. The association was formed several years ago to organize events for Jewish residents in the Cranberry area, which does not have its own synagogue.
This year's event is dedicated to Hershie Sacks, a longtime Evans City resident, who passed away during in 2016 and who is credited with inspiring the event, said Rabbi Ely Rosenfeld from Chabad Fox Chapel.
Rosenfeld said having the menorah on display for the past few years has created a sense of pride and inclusion among the area's Jewish residents.
“People see the menorah and they say, 'Wow it's so good to see it there, we're part of the community. We're included in the community,'” he said.
The night will be a celebration of unity and joy. People of all faiths are welcome to come and learn about Jewish culture and religion at the ceremony, which will last about 20 minutes, he said.
Cranberry Township employee Peter Longini has been involved in the Jewish Community Association for several years.
All are welcome to attend the event, he said.
“Judaism is not only a distinctive faith community, it is also the scriptural foundation of Christianity and first cousin of Islam. The celebration of Hanukkah in Cranberry Township symbolizes the history and values shared by people of all faiths, both here and abroad,” he said.
Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, is an eight-day commemoration of rededication of the temple by the Maccabees after their victory over the Syrians. Legend has it that when they returned to their temple they only had enough lamp oil to last one day, but it miraculously lasted eight days.
It is usually in December, but the dates of Hanukkah change every year because Judaism follows the Hebrew calendar.
This year it begins at sundown Saturday. On each night of the holiday one additional candle will be illuminated on the menorah, with Light Up the Night happening on the fourth night. The menorah holds nine candles total, including a shamash that is used to light the other candles.
For more information, visit www.chabadfoxchapel.com.
