Celebrate Chanukah menorah lighting in various places

Chanukah on the park has become the Chanukah tradition for the entire Orlando community. This year, Chabad will be hosting “Chanukah on the Park” with the Grand Menorah Lighting on Saturday night, Nov. 30, at 7 p.m.

The Menorah lighting will celebrate the fourth night of Chanukah and will be followed by “Maos Tzur” and other Chanukah favorites including the Chassidic dancers.

The feature presentation will be entertainer Dr. Laz, described as the Rockin, Rappin, Reggae, Rabbi. “The Jewish rock concert is one of a kind,” said Ed Leibowitz, assistant rabbi to Chabad and friend of Laz. “This guy knows how to rock the house. He is known as a multi-talented personality with degrees in education and a history of interpersonal relationships. He combines all of it with his passion for music and Judaism. He has been around and has performed in 100s of locations throughout the states.” 

The evening will begin with a musical and soulful Havdalah service to bid farewell to the Shabbat, led by Levik and Sruly Dubov. “There is nothing so beautiful,” said Jack Gershkovitz, a member of the Chabad community. “It changes the face of Havdalah when youve experienced the music and havdalah songs that it comes with,” he concluded. The evening and event will include face-painting clowns, balloons, chocolate Chanukah gelt, dreidel characters, $1000 cash prize and drawing, and donuts.  Judaica items, hot dogs, buns and drinks will also be available. 

“Chabad is known throughout the globe for its public Menorah lightings and displays for all the world to see. The menorah, an eight-branch candelabra, represents a symbol of religious freedom and reminds us of the victory of good over evil, explained Rabbi Sholom Ber Dubov, executive director of Chabad. The menorah lighting and events have attracted thousands of community members each year just in Orlando alone. At the very least these projects have aroused and boasted a significant feeling of pride in every Jewish person who attended,” Dubov said.

To date the Orlando community hosts four Chabad centers and locations. Each will be doing Chanukah events in their local areas throughout the week. 

Chabad of South Orlando together with the sponsorship of Harris Rosen will be doing a Chanukah Family Festival in the Rosen Plaza on Sunday Dec. 1, from 4 to 8 p.m. (see separate article)

Chabad of North Orlando will be hosting a Menorah lighting and Jewish Rock concert at the Lake Mary City Hall on Monday, Dec. 2, and will include many activities and traditional foods for the entire family. 

Chabad on Campus at UCF will be hosting a Menorah Lighting on Monday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m. with a toy drive. Students are dropping off toys from now until then to be donated to Jasco, helping abused and neglected children. It will be held on campus in front of the CFE Arena, with dreidels, latkes, donuts, and drinks.

Other Chabad activities and lightings that will be on schedule and have been sponsored by Chabad of Greater Orlando are;

“Heritage Night” and menorah lighting with the Orlando Magic on Nov.27, 30 minutes prior to “tip off” in the Vista Room.

This will be a first time event in Orlando. 

 A Chanukah Shabbat Community Dinner at Chabad by reservation only, on Friday night, Nov. 29, beginning with a Chanukah lighting at 5p.m., and dinner served at 6 p.m.

A celebration and lighting on Center Ice during the first intermission of the Solar Bears Game on the last night of Chanukah, Dec. 4.

All public Menorah events are free of charge and open to all regardless of affiliation, background, race, color, or creed. 

For more information on any of the above events and activities, log onto http://www.chabadorlando.org.