The Chabad of Hall County will host Menorah lighting ceremonies through its Light Up Hall County events in Flowery Branch and Gainesville.
Co-Director of the non-profit Rabbi Nechemia Gurevitz shared the event marks the third year the non-profit has brought the celebration to the Gainesville Square and the second year the event has been held at the Flowery Branch amphitheater.
Wednesday, Dec. 25 is the first night of the eight days of Chanukah, with the event taking place on Thursday, Dec. 26 in Flowery Branch and Sunday Dec. 29 in Gainesville respectively.
Gurevitz said the holiday commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over Greek Occupiers in Jerusalem 2000 years ago.
“During this time of year, 2000 years ago, they liberated Jerusalem, and they liberated the temple, and one of the services in the temple was the menorah,” Gurevitz explained. “... It was a very important service in their religion, and there was no pure oil to light the candelabra. So, they searched and searched, and they found one little, small jug of oil, which is only enough to last for one day. They took it and they lit it, and that oil lasted for eight days, miraculously till they were able to produce more oil.”
Both events will feature a nine-foot menorah that will be lit, donuts fried in oil and potato latkes for all who attend. Gruevitz said there will also be hot chocolate, kids crafts and entertainment for adults.
“Although [Chanukah] is a Jewish holiday, the message is universal and applies to all people of all backgrounds,” Gurevitz said. “It's the message of freedom, the message of tolerance, the message of allowing people to express themselves spiritually. And it's also the message of the victory of light over darkness. So here in Hall County, we want to bring the celebration to everybody.”
Flowery Branch’s Light up Hall County Celebration will take place at 5 p.m. while the event in Gainesville will begin at 4:30 p.m. While the organization does request all planning to attend to RSVP via the Chabad of Hall County’s website, the event is free and all are welcome.
