Columbus Jewish leaders: Public menorah lightings, Hanukkah celebrations help combat antisemitism

When Rabbi Chaim Capland sees the myriad public menorah lightings in Columbus, he feels proud.

Capland, rabbi at the Torah Center, an Orthodox synagogue near Bexley, prompted the first public menorah lighting at the Ohio Statehouse in the late 1980s.

"We were a trailblazer in that sense and it's become much more acceptable now than it's ever been," Capland said. "We were the ones who broke down that barrier, really, that's the whole story of Hanukkah."

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The story of Hanukkah is one of Jews triumphing over the majority religion of the time, more than 2,000 years ago, by refusing to worship Greek gods in ancient Israel.

"It took some brave Jewish souls to say, 'You know what, we're not giving up our heritage for this,'" Capland said.

The eight-day celebration includes lighting a candle on a candelabra each day of the holiday to commemorate how a one-day supply of oil was used to light the ancient menorah and kept it lit for eight days.

Hanukkah has historically mostly been celebrated in private, in homes, though many are encouraged to put the menorah in their windows so others can see.

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In the past few decades, synagogues have been hosting celebrations for their members and in public for the holiday. Local Jewish leaders say public celebrations of the holiday and the faith are antidotes for antisemitism, which recent reports show is at a 40-year high.

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"The menorah has such a great symbolism of a holiday to spread light into darkness," said Joel Marcovitch, president and CEO of the nonprofit JewishColumbus. "We have the opportunity to spread light and peace into the world. One of the wonderful things about a menorah and the symbolism of light is when you light a candle, yes, you're lighting up the room, but you're also providing heat and warmth."

This Hanukkah, especially, Marcovitch said, Jewish people want to spread light around the community so people can see they aren't afraid to be who they are.

Menorah lightings are important because Jews "can be with each other."

"It's outside, it's in a public place and it shows unity and strength," he said.

There are local menorah lightings at the Columbus Blue Jackets, Easton Town Center, the Mall at Tuttle Crossing, Polaris Fashion Place, the Ohio Statehouse and other places.

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One local rabbi likes to go all out for all the Jewish holidays, and Hanukkah is no exception.

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Each year, Rabbi Areyah Kaltmann, executive director of the Lori Schottenstein Chabad Center in New Albany, tries to top himself, striving to make the celebration bigger and better than the previous year's.

This year, the festivities kick off Sunday, with the first night of Hanukkah. Kaltmann and the Chabad center planned a skydiving performance and a helicopter-drop of chocolate turkey dreidels to celebrate both Thanksgiving and Hanukkah.

That's at 2 p.m. at Veterans Field at Eagles Stadium in New Albany. Then, at 5 p.m., the center is hosting a Hanukkah Wonderland with latke ice fishing, a snowflake doughnut toss, a Menorah snow globe, prizes and more in Bexley.

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"If one kid, just one kid, feels reconnected and excited and ... will grow up to remember the fun, the joy, the celebration of Hanukkah with the turkey dreidel drop, then we have achieved our purpose and all the efforts have been worthwhile," Kaltmann said. "All it takes is one bottle of oil. All it takes is one kid to feel connected and like they can make the world a brighter, happier, more thankful place."

Kaltmann said it is great that Hanukkah starts days after Thanksgiving, as there is a Hanukkah prayer that is all about thanksgiving and gratitude.

"It goes hand in hand," he said, of the two holidays. "I believe society could be much happier if we had more gratitude or more thanksgiving."

He thinks public displays of the holiday and faith fight antisemitism because adding light to the world means everyone is impacted positively.

Capland is glad he spearheaded the first local public menorah lighting at the Statehouse because it was the right thing to do, he said.

"When it's the right thing to do, that's what you do and that's the way the whole Jewish faith has maintained itself, because of people who stood up against persecution and against discrimination," he said. "It's always been the case."

Capland believes all people should take pride in their identity and publicly worship.

"If it's something that's positive, it should be shared with the world," he said.

Menorahs are silent, bright and offer a message of light and positivity without controversy, Capland said.

"Nobody can disagree with the message of light," he said.

dking@dispatch.com

@DanaeKing

Hanukkah Events in Columbus:

Sunday, Nov. 28

10:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Chanukah Legos and Lunch

Congregation Torat Emet, at 2375 E. Main St. in Bexley, is hosting the event. RSVP to rabbineuman@toratemet.com.

2 p.m.: Maccabee landing and chocolate dreidel drop

The Lori Schottenstein Chabad Center in New Albany is hosting a skydiving performance and dropping chocolate from the sky for a Hanukkah celebration at Veterans Field at Eagles Stadium, at 7600 Fodor Road in New Albany. Those interested can register at www.eightnightsoffun.com.

5 p.m.: Chanukah Wonderland

The Lori Schottenstein Chabad Center in New Albany is then hosting a Hanukkah celebration with latke ice fishing, a snowflake doughnut toss, a menorah snow globe, prizes and more at Drexel Circle in Bexley.

Monday, Nov. 29

7 to 9 p.m.: The Ohio Statehouse Menorah Lighting

The Lori Schottenstein Chabad Center in New Albany is also hosting a menorah lighting at the Ohio Statehouse at 7 p.m., followed by a Chanuka party inside the Statehouse from 7:30 to 9 p.m. in the Statehouse Museum gallery.

Tuesday, Nov. 30

7 p.m.: CTeen Chanukah Glow Out Party

The Lori Schottenstein Chabad Center in New Albany is hosting a party for teens featuring laser tag, doughnuts, a laser beam menorah, latkes and more. Those interested can RSVP at www.eightnightsoffun.com.

7 p.m.: Menorah lighting at Polaris Fashion Place

The Lori Schottenstein Chabad Center in New Albany is hosting the lighting and will offer doughnuts, dreidels and apple cider.

Wednesday, Dec. 1

7 p.m.: Chanukah Latk-Tail Party

The Lori Schottenstein Chabad Center in New Albany is hosting a party with latkes, cocktails, hor d'ouerves and a burger bar at the at the Bexley Premier Restaurant, at 2525 E. Main Street in Bexley. Those interested can RSVP at www.eightnightsoffun.com.

Thursday, Dec. 2

7 p.m.: Menorah Lighting at the Mall at Tuttle Crossing

The Lori Schottenstein Chabad Center in New Albany is hosting the lighting and will offer doughnuts, dreidels and apple cider.

Friday, Dec. 3

4:30 p.m.: Friday Night of Lights

The Lori Schottenstein Chabad Center, 6220 E. Dublin Granville Road in New Albany, is hosting a Columbus Chanukah family dinner with a grand Menorah lighting followed by three-course meal. RSVP at www.eightnightsoffun.com.

6:30 p.m.: Consecration and Chanukah Party

Temple Beth Shalom, at 5089 Johnstown Road in New Albany, is hosting the event in its parking lot. It will feature a menorah lighting, balloon twister, magician, brisket and latke dinner, doughnuts, s'mores, a dreidel tournament and more. Those interested should RSVP to RSVP@tbsohio.org by Nov. 30.

Saturday, Dec. 4

6:15 to 7:30 p.m.: Chanukah Under The Stars

Tifereth Israel is hosting a musical Havdalah and concert in its parking lot, at 1354 East Broad St.in Columbus. It will feature Rabbi Josh Warshawsky and the synagogue's rabbis, Hillel Skolnik and Alex Braver. Attendees should bring their own chanukiyah to light and the synagogue will offer s’mores, telescopes and hot chocolate.

7:30 p.m.: Menorah lighting at Easton Town Square

The Lori Schottenstein Chabad Center in New Albany is hosting the lighting and will offer doughnuts, raffles, prizes and apple cider.

Sunday, Dec. 5

10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Chanukah Brunch and Bingo

Congregation Ahavas Sholom is hosting an event for families led by its teens. There will be prizes and prices are: $40 for a family; $10 for adults; $7 for kids ages 4 to 13. RSVP at www.ahavas-sholom.org. The synagogue is at 2568 East Broad St. in Columbus.

5 p.m.: Menorah Lighting at Nationwide arena

As the Columbus Blue Jackets face the San Jose Sharks, join hosts The Lori Schottenstein Chabad center in Sky Terrace seating for a menorah lighting, a full kosher meal with drinks and a Chanukah Blue Jackets souvenir. To get a ticket, RSVP at bluejackets.com/jewish. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the puck drop at 6 p.m.

6:30 t0 9:30 p.m.: Communitywide Chanukah Party

The Columbus Community Kollel, at 2513 E. Main St. in Columbus, is hosting the event, which will feature music, dancing, food and words of inspiration. To RSVP email info@thekollel.org

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Hanukkah: Menorah lightings combat antisemitism say Jewish leaders