By: Samaia Hernandez, Record-Journal 12/21/2008
WALLINGFORD – Sunday marked the first night of Hanukkah, and Rabbi Baruch Kaplan was preparing for a large public menorah lighting at the Railroad Station Green. Sunday’s snowy, icy storm, however, forced him to opt for a smaller gathering at the Chabad Jewish Center.
“I didn’t want people getting into accidents on their way,” Kaplan said.
Several families gathered to play the dreidl game and eat Israeli-style doughnuts. Hanukkah music was played, blessings were read, and a small menorah was lit in the window.
The Chabad Jewish Center, on Center Street, opened a Hanukkah store for the season at which books, games, and other gifts may be bought.
“Our goal is to help Jews from all backgrounds in a friendly, non-threatening way,” said Kaplan, who added that free menorahs are available from the center.
Kaplan said children are an integral part of the eight-day holiday, whose origins go back more than 2,000 years, when the Syrian empire conquered the Maccabees and prohibited the study of the Torah. Teachers and their students defiantly studied in secret, and when patrols came by, they would pretend to be playing the innocent game of dreidl.
Hanukkah celebrates the victory of the Jews over the Syrian army. The Syrians had desecrated the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. After the Jews reclaimed the temple, they cleaned it and rekindled the menorah, which is said to have burned for eight days using a very small amount of oil. Children receive gelt, or coins, during Hanukkah, which can be used to buy presents.
“We’re celebrating the victory of a small Jewish army that were fighting for religious freedom and culminating with the oil that lasted eight days,” said Kaplan of the holiday which began after the Torah was written, but can be found in the Talmud. To represent the oil, he said, traditional fried foods such as potato pancakes are eaten.
For Maria Sorano, It’s about playing, spending time with family, and having fun.
Her daughters, Madison Gardner, 9, and 7-year-old Jordan Gardner, were happily playing dreidl and collecting gelt. After playing, children flocked to the tray of doughnuts.
When asked what she would do with the many coins she won, Jordan said “eat them,” as her mother laughed – the coins are chocolate.
Kaplan said many Jews are unfamiliar with the history and significance of Hanukkah, and the Chabad center can help them learn.
“For us, any Jew that wants to learn about his or her religion has a chance to come in and join,” he said.
