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Everyone Invited To Skate Into The Hanukkah Season

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Rabbi Shalom Adler and wife Chanie demonstrate how to light the Hanukkah menorah. Young Israel of Pinellas, an Orthodox Judaism congregation in the Palm Harbor area, is having a Hanukkah celebration at the ice rink at the Westfield Countryside Shopping Centre, in Clearwater.

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By Mark  Schantz | The Suncoast News

Published: December 20, 2008

PALM HARBOR - It's the season of hope and miracles, as members of the Jewish community skate into Hanukah with a unique community celebration later this month.

Chabad of Pinellas County, a Jewish Orthodox Congregation in Palm Harbor, invites everyone to celebrate the Festival of Lights, on the first night of the 8-day celebration, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, at the skating rink at Westfield Countryside Mall.

"If you are looking for a unique way to have some Hanukkah fun this season, what could be more delightful than a combination of sparkling ice and a dazzling menorah," Rabbi Levi Hodakov, program and youth director for Palm Harbor Chabad said.

"We want to bring the spirit of the Hanukah holiday alive for everyone. It's amazing to see the increase in attendance with each passing year we host this phenomenal event," Hodakov said about the three-year-old event.

Hanukah celebrates the victory of a small band of Jewish patriots over an invading army in the Holy Land about 21 centuries ago.

According to the story of Hanukah, when rabbis entered the Holy Temple, retaken after the battle, there was only enough oil to light the menorah on its altar for one day. However, the oil burned for eight days, providing enough time for more olive oil to be prepared.

The holiday is viewed as a symbol of light over darkness, purity over adultery and spirituality over the material.

Jewish sages wrote the first light God created was too powerful for humanity, so the Lord hid it until humankind reaches a higher state. It is said the light of the Hanukah menorah resembles that light.

In modern times, Hanukah is a time to get together with family and friends to light the menorah and remind everyone of the spiritual meaning of the festival, the power of determination and miracles.

Fried potato pancakes called latkes are eaten as a symbol of the olive oil that ignited the holiday miracle. In Israel, people also eat holiday doughnuts. A sampling of both will be available at the Chabad celebration.

Gifts are given, especially to the children, to commemorate the festive occasion.

It's time to play with a dreidel, a spinning top inscribed with Hebrew letters that stand for "a great miracle happened here."

This year, Dr. Aron Schlau of Palm Harbor Medical Associates will give the community a Hanukkah gift of free admission to the skating rink, Hodakov noted.

This year's menorah is dedicated in memory of the Chabad rabbi and his wife who lost their lives in the Mumbai, India, massacre.

The event begins with open skating to contemporary Jewish music and traditional Hanukah songs, around a giant 9-foot tall inflatable menorah.

At 6:30 p.m. Rabbi Shalom Adler, director of the Palm Harbor Chabad congregation, will light the candle for the first night. Chocolate coins, called Hanukkah "gelt," will be distributed to all the children.

Mark Schantz can be reached at 727-815-1075 or mschantz@suncoastnews.com.

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