#69 Happy Thanksgivukkah

Tonight at sundown, a little after 5:00 p.m., the Jewish Community of Bend sponsored the lighting of a giant menorah in the Old Mill Shopping Mall.  There was a small crowd (between 50 - 100 men, women and children) gathered in the Center Plaza near the foot bridge. 

I stood somewhere near the front of the crowd where I could see the stage.   Before the lighting of the giant candles, a couple of girls went through the crowd handing out chocolate Chanukah gelt and thin circular glow sticks that one could wear around one's neck, on one's head (like a halo) or use, like the two small boys next to me, like a sword.  As we waited for the ceremony to start, we listened to Jewish dance tracks.

2012 Old Mill Menorah from Temple Beth Tikvah website

Then the dance music cut off and I heard the Mall's sound system in the background playing a rock song about love in a voice reminiscent of Michael Stipe.  (Last year, the Mall's loud Christmas music created some cognitive dissonance during the menorah lighting.)  A young orthodox rabbi, complete with broad-brimmed hat, untrimmed beard, and payot, got up on a small stage in front of the giant menorah and spoke very briefly about the meaning of Chanukah, mentioning the Macabbees but moving more toward the contemporary vision by saying that Chanukah was like Thanksgiving because it was about gratitude and giving.  His view was similar to that expressed by journalist Joseph Cotto in the Washington Post when he wrote,

Hanukkah need not be a Maccabee-fest. Jews have celebrated the holiday throughout the ages as a vehicle for remembering righteous strength and courage. In a comprehensive historical sense, it has little to do with the Maccabees per se. Rather, it is a living testament to perseverance in the face of adversity and devotion to tikkun olam — repairing our broken world.

  After his brief sermon, the rabbi sang three blessings.  Some folks in the crowd sang along (I think sheet music was handed out to a few folks early on).  Then he lit the first "candle" (which was more like a torch).  After the ceremony was over, the crowd was invited to a small empty suite next to the multiplex where there were trays of jelly donuts and warming pans of latkes along with learning games for the kids and take-away menorahs, candles, and dreidels for which one could leave a donation.

I enjoyed the ritual (as I enjoy many religious rituals) and thought about past threats to the local Jewish community.  I remember when there was only one congregation here and they met in the basement of the Methodist Church.  One year the windows of the church were spray-painted with swastikas. Now the Jewish community is much larger.  Here are some sites of interest:

Chabad (Lubavitch) of Central Oregon

Temple Beth Tikvah:  A Reform Congregation

Congregation Shalom Bayit (Jewish Community of Central Oregon, Ben Tannen Religious School)