Community event marks beginning of Hanukkah

In the constant battle between good and evil, good eventually wins.

Hanukkah is the eight-day Jewish celebration of that concept, in which families light one candle on an eight-branched candelabra — menorah — each night, and partake in special foods, exchange gifts and engage in other activities.

To kick off the holiday, Chabad of Oro Valley will light an ice menorah at its annual community Hanukkah celebration Monday, Dec. 7, at the Oro Valley Public Library.

The event features something different each year to keep it exciting, so this time they decided to have the menorah sculpted from ice, said Mushkie Zimmerman, rebbetzin (Hebrew for Rabbi’s wife).

This marks the fourth time the Chabad is holding the community event.

Open to people of all faiths, the celebration serves as a way to learn more about Judaism and the meaning of Hanukkah.

“This is just such a great way to know the true meaning of Hanukkah and how it’s celebrated,” said Judy Katz Esbit, mother of two boys. “It’s educational, it’s informative and I think people need to know the truth. I think for people who are interested in learning, this is a great way to learn.”

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Katz Esbit has been attending the celebration since it started four years ago, and looks forward to it every year.

“I just think it’s a fun event. Kids of all ages can enjoy it,” Katz Esbit said. “The lighting of the candle. It’s a beautiful thing — it’s huge. It’s about rebuilding. We’re always rebuilding, whether it’s our health or our spirituality.”

The first 45 minutes of the event are dedicated to fun, games and food. There will be crafts for the kids, a photo booth and a game to guess how many dreidels are in a carton.

Let’s not forget free latkes, which are potato pancakes, and other foods available for sale.

Activities are followed by a menorah lighting — one is 10 feet tall — and speakers.

“This is definitely the time of year where we celebrate religious freedom for everybody,” Zimmerman said. “And just the general message of good and spreading the light.”