More than 200 residents took part in Collingwood’s inaugural Chanukah event on Sunday evening.
“It was an unbelievable gathering of unity of the Jewish community, as well as other members from other religions that joined us for this moment of unity,” said Rabbi Berel Shur, who, along with his wife Sara Shur, planned and organized the event.
The inaugural Chanukah (Hanukkah) event, also known as the Festival of Lights, took place at the Subaru stage in Blue Mountain Village on Sunday evening.
Led by Rabbi Shur, who is from Chabad of Ontario, It offered attendees a chance to take in live music, refreshments, blessings and the Menorah lighting.
Collingwood’s Mayor Yvonne Hamil and members of council were in attendance and the event was sponsored by Roman and Suzy Golstein.
“We had such warmth and amazing words and Chanukah wishes from the many local elected officials. We thank all of them for coming. We thank everybody that came out to the event. Let us utilize this moment of unity, this moment of light and we can move forward together and make some wonderful things happen in the Collingwood community,” said Rabbi Shur.
By hosting the lighting publicly, Rabbi Shur hoped to share the Chanukah spirit with the broader community of Collingwood.
While many Chanukah events are being held worldwide, there has also been a rise in anti-semitic activity since the attacks in Israel on Oct. 7 and the following invasion of the Gaza Strip.
Rabbi Shur says The Blue Mountains event had been in the works long before the tensions in the Middle East arose and while he was aware of the risk in holding a public event, his interactions with the community encouraged him to continue.
“This event was being planned before the unfortunate events on Oct. 7. However, while we were planning it, the feeling that we got from the Collingwood and the Blue Mountain community has always been positive. Whether it was from Jews or non-Jews alike, it has always been very positive,” he said.
He added that in the current climate, event organizers chose to be vigilant, having police and security on hand at the event.
“We did have police presence there just as a precaution, but we didn't have any significant issues. And, I think that is a testament to the Collingwood area and the community, on how accepting and understanding they are for each other. Whether you're Jewish or not, there was a strong sense of acceptance,” he added.
The primary ritual of the event involves lighting the menorah, a eight-branched candelabrum.
Each night during Chanukah, a candle on the menorah is lit, accompanied by blessings and specific prayers.
The tradition stands as a reminder of the resilience of the Jewish people and the preservation of their faith and traditions against oppression, and aims to foster a sense of togetherness and celebration.
The annual tradition commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the second century BCE.
Although this is the first public menorah lighting for this region, public menorah lightings have become a common annual tradition in communities across the world since the first public lighting in 1974.
According to Rabbi Shur, the area should expect to see the event continue in coming years as well as other Jewish outreach initiatives.
“This will be remembered as the first of many events that we do together as a community,” Rabbi Shur said.
