Weather, current world events couldn’t dim the menorah lights on first day of ‘Festival of Light’ in Ashland
By Holly Dillemuth, Ashland.news
Dozens of area residents ushered in a spirited first night of Hanukkah on Thursday, gathering on the Ashland Plaza late Thursday afternoon to light the first flames on the menorah.
Other Hanukkah events include:
Hanukkah Fest: The Havurah Synagogue will host its annual Hanukkah Faire at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at the synagogue, 185 N. Mountain Ave., Ashland. Hot potato latkes, a traditional Hanukkah treat, will be for sale with all the trimmings. The festivities include children’s activities such as Hanukkah menorah-making, beeswax candle rolling and dreidel games. Rabbi David Zaslow will lead the communal candle lighting and songs (everyone is invited to bring their own menorah), followed by a Hanukkah story by master storyteller Debra Zaslow. The fair is open to all. Admission is a suggested donation $2, $10 per family. For further details, call 541-488-7716.
Children’s Hanukkah Fair: 10 a.m. to Noon, Sunday, Dec. 10, at Chabad of Southern Oregon. More information: Chabadofashland.org/Chanukah2023 or call 541-482-2778.
Deli Chanukah party: 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14 ($25, advance reservations required; go to
chabadofashland.org/deli), Chabad of Southern Oregon, 1474 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland. No to-go orders.
Chabad has raised more than half its more-than-$6,000 goal to replace its Medford menorah. To give toward the Menorah fundraiser, click here.
For more about the origin and meaning of Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah), click here.
With the backdrop of the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas on Israel and the kidnapping of more than 200 hostages, some of which have been returned, Rabbi Avi Zwiebel of Chabad of Southern Oregon emphasized the message of Hanukkah as light overcoming darkness, especially in light of current events.
“Exactly 60 days ago … was a very sad day,” Rabbi Zwiebel told those gathering in and around the Ashland Plaza, “and, unfortunately for many, the music stopped. Many people have lost their life and, unfortunately, so many are suffering.”
Rabbi Zwiebel said he and others are praying for the safe return of remaining hostages taken by Hamas.
Zwiebel recited Prayer 121, also known as Psalm 121, from the Torah in English and sang it in Hebrew for all those in harm’s way, “especially in the land of Israel.”
“As I was driving down to the Plaza today, I was praying, you know, that the rain should stop, and the rain stopped,” Rabbi Zwiebel said. “Thank God. I want to share with you a thought I had … it’s not in our control if it will rain or won’t rain, but one thing is certain, when we light a candle, it will produce light, and now more than ever, we need that light to shine brightly, just like in the times of Hanukkah, going back 2,000 years ago.”
He shared the story of the Maccabees, who poured their one-day supply of oil into the great Menorah and rekindled it after it had been desecrated and extinguished by the enemy, according to Chabad. The small amount of oil did not burn out at the end of the first day, but continued to burn continuously for eight days, until the special process for preparing new oil could be completed.
Zwiebel urged those present and watching via livestream to be the light for others around them.
“I want you to all point to the Menorah,” Zwiebel said. “Actually, there’s another Menorah, point to yourself. We all have that Menorah within us, that light within us.
“In the times of Hanukkah, they didn’t give up hope,” he added. “They didn’t say, ‘There’s no more light in this world, let’s just give up.’ They searched and searched till they found that jug of oil. And so, too, we have to find that flame within us, that light within us, that can produce light in this world.”
Law enforcement personnel stood in front of the corner of City Hall, across from the Plaza, with Chief of Police Tighe O’Meara walking in plainclothes amidst the crowd of attendees.
There were no disturbances during or following the largely joyous celebration.
“We can be that light, we can be that miracle,” Zwiebel continued. “We have the power within us and, just like the story of Hanukkah, the message was a little light to dispel lots of darkness and, with the miracle goodness over evil and freedom over oppression, may we merge this miracle in our times with the ultimate light, the ultimate redemption of the coming of the Meshiach.”
For the 21st annual menorah lighting, attendees ate traditional latkes and doughnuts and children and adults alike sang along with festive Hanukkah songs led in song by Rabbi Zwiebel.
Dozens of children also took part in the traditional chocolate coin drop.
A menorah lighting will also take place in Medford at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, at Vogel Plaza and at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12, at Riverside Park in Grants Pass.
A new 10-foot menorah was purchased this year following vandalism to the Medford menorah last year.
State Sen. Jeff Golden, D-Ashland, also attended and shared words with the audience before helping Rabbi Zwiebel light the menorah.
“I have a menorah at home that is older than I am and is really my only heirloom,” Golden said. “It’s been in the closet for a while, but it’s out this year.”
Reach Ashland.news staff reporter Holly Dillemuth at [email protected].
