On Boxing Day I read an article covering a Market Square celebration attended by Mayor Guthrie, MP Longfield, representatives of The Chabad House of Guelph and a large festive, multi-denominational community gathering.
The City of Guelph hosted the event, purposed to acknowledge and celebrate Hanukkah with the centrepiece of the inclusive evening being the lighting of a symbolic nine foot Menorah.
Reader Michael Douglas would like to see Hanukkah celebrated in Market Square longer.
This year, for the first time in 19 years Hanukkah, the centuries old and worldwide joyous Jewish holiday began on Christmas Day. Traditionally, the''Festival of light 'lasts for a full eight days, this year from Dec. 25 to Jan. 2.
I understand the menorah (or Hanukkah) is a candelabrum that typically holds nine candles, eight candles symbolize the eight days of Hanukkah and the ninth (a shamash) is a central candle used to light the others. On each day of Hanukkah a candle is lit until all eight candles are illuminated.
I am a gentile unable to attend the aforementioned event open to all. However in the interest of acknowledging and supporting community inclusivity, I stopped by Market Square late evening on the 28th hoping to get a photo of Market Square all lit up in its seasonal splendour.
Colourful lights were in abundance everywhere. A beautiful towering Christmas tree shone brightly on a mild, clear night. I looked high and low for the Menorah. I was quite bewildered trying to understand why only four days into Hanukkah, not only was there no Menorah with four lights still to be lit up, there was no menorah period. I returned home disappointed.
You know I love kittens, but I have none at home given my relentless tendency to satisfy all my curiosities. © I made inquiries with the City and Chabad House. Turns out the nine foot Menorah was only at Market Square for the evening event and was removed the next day. It's a shame it was not allowed to run for its full eight days of cultural and religious significance.
I understand Dr. White of Chabad House would have preferred that the menorah stay in place and be lit daily for the full eight day duration of Hanukkah, however that would require council approval.
In the pursuit of total community inclusivity, perhaps next year the city will endeavour to plan these important all-inclusive events early enough to allow all major religious and cultural entities a representative place in the festive celebrations at city hall, using the truncated menorah tradition as a reference point and learning curve. Seasons greetings everyone.
Michael Douglas
Guelph
