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Operation Lattke Coming To Safety Harbor

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By Mark  Schantz | The Suncoast News

Published: December 1, 2007

SAFETY HARBOR, Fla. - SAFETY HARBOR, Fla. - The smell of freshly fried potato pancakes, candles glowing from multiple menorahs and traditional holiday music will herald Safety Harbor's first Hanukkah party.

"Operation Latke – Bringing Hanukkah to the Harbor" will be held along Main Street next week.

The community celebration will be presented at the courtyard near Taste Cafe, 500 Main St., between Fifth and Sixth streets, this Thursday, starting at 7 p.m.

This year Dec. 6 is the third night of the eight-day Jewish Festival of Lights.

Sue Massarsky, Operation Latke coordinator, said the idea to have a Hanukkah party just came about one day while she was chatting with Robin Hirschberg, the co-owner of Taste Cafe.

One idea led to another until Operation Latke came to fruition, Massarsky said. Latke is the Yiddish word for the delicious potato pancake traditionally eaten during the Hanukkah celebration.

"It's our first year so we do not know what to expect," said Massarsky. "We just wanted a very casual community Hanukkah party."

You won't have to be Jewish to enjoy Operation Latke, according to Massarsky. "Everyone is invited to Safety Harbor's Festival of Lights."

Hanukkah is considered a minor Jewish festival but has taken on a larger significance in America. This is especially true since the festival coincides with the Christmas season, she said.

Hanukkah is a commemoration of miracles and faith. When a band of Jewish freedom fighters re-entered the Holy Temple on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem, after fending off an evading army around 165 BCE, rabbis found only enough purified oil to light the holy menorah for one day. The oil burned for eight days to everyone's surprise and the miracle of Hanukkah was born.

It's a holiday for getting together with family and friends, she said.

Hanukkah is a great family time, so everyone is invited to bring their children to see all the candles glowing, dance to traditional songs and have fun, she said.

Musicians will perform traditional Jewish holiday songs. Song sheets will be distributed so everyone can sing along, she said. People are invited to bring their Hanukkah menorah for a community candle-lighting ceremony, she said.

Rabbi Shimon Mock, spiritual leader of Congregation B'nai Emmunah, a Reform Judaism temple in the East Lake area, will perform the candle blessing.

The cost of the event is being borne by the Taste Cafe owners and a few volunteers.

Any group or business that wants to help sponsor Operation Latke can contact Hirschberg at Taste on Main Street 727-723-1116.

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