UPTOWN — A 12-foot-tall menorah will be erected and lit in Uptown, allowing the neighborhood to take part in one of the largest observances of Hanukkah.
At 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 29, the sixth day of Hanukkah, Chabad of Uptown and FREE of Chicago will host the Grand Menorah Lighting Ceremony, a community-wide celebration in the Jewel-Osco parking lot at 4355 N. Sheridan Road. The event includes a menorah lighting ceremony, music, dancing and the traditional oily treats, according to a news release for the event.
“The Menorah serves as a symbol of Chicago's dedication to preserve and encourage the right and liberty of all its citizens to worship God freely, openly, and with pride," said Rabbi Levi Notik, who organized the event, a first for the Uptown community.
This year, Hanukkah, which is observed for eight nights and days, begins at sunset on Dec. 24 and concludes in the evening of Jan. 1. It recalls the victory of a militarily weak Jewish people over the Syrian Greeks, who had taken over ancient Israel and "sought to impose restrictions on the Jewish way of life and prohibit religious freedom," according to a news release.
After taking back the Holy Temple, the Jewish people only had enough oil to light the menorah for one day, but the light lasted for 8 days. The "miracle" is commemorated by lighting an eight-branched candelabra, the release said.
"Specifically in America, a nation that was founded upon and vigorously protects the right of every person to practice his or her religion free from restraint and persecution, the Menorah takes on profound significance, embodying both religious and constitutional principles," Notik said in the release.
Notik, who serves as Director for both the Chabad of Uptown and FREE of Chicago, told DNAinfo he hopes to bring awareness to the Jewish Festival of Light to the neighborhood, which has "a large group of younger Jews in the area who need to be served."
Uptown resident Sam Fintzker, who is looking forward to attending the lighting, said he wants his children to grow up with pride in their Jewish heritage and "a feeling of equality and self-confident as an American.
"Chabad’s Hanukkah Menorahs are arguably one of the most important developments ever to help my child’s education. I wish they had this where I grew up," he said.
While the city of Chicago has several menorah lighting ceremonies including one at Daley Plaza, "the message of light has never been brought to Uptown, said Notik, who opened the Chabad of Uptown, 1101 W. Lawrence Ave., about six months ago.
Unlike a traditional synagogue, which usually require membership, the Chabad of Uptown employs an open approach to Jewish community life allowing participants to partake in the services and programs that fit their needs, according to its website.
"It's Jewish a la carte [where] you can come do what you want [spiritually.] It's a modern day way of being involved in religion. It's not cookie cutter at all," Notik said.
The group has already set up a table with a Hanukkah display and free menorah kits at the Jewel-Osco, he said.
The Thursday night celebration should last about 45-60 minutes.
You can RSVP for the event here.
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