The greater community was welcomed at the Hanukkah Open House at Shir Hadash Synagogue in Wheeling on the last night of Hanukkah.
More Top Picks Can Adults Develop Irlen Syndrome Later In Life
The menorah was fully illuminated with the eight candles of Hanukkah plus the ninth candle, the shamash, known as a helper candle — the one used to light the others on the menorah as the eight nights of the Jewish holiday progress.
Children illuminated the menorah at Shir Hadash at an event that also hosted families interested in tours and religious education, along with fellowship.
The last night of Hanukkah, “is so cool because we get to see all the lights lit up at one time,” said Lauren Comm, the synagogue’s director of lifelong learning.
“All the children love this holiday because they get to light all eight candles including the shamash,” she said.
Approximately 180 to 200 households belong to Shir Hadash, with families coming from such area towns as Buffalo Grove, Arlington Heights, Lincolnshire, Park Ridge, Wheeling, Northbrook, Deerfield, Lake Zurich and Barrington.
Hanukkah began Dec. 7 and ended Dec. 15, with the last night on Dec. 14 when the menorah is fully aflame with light. That Thursday night marked the last candle-lighting, with the holy holiday officially over Friday before sunset.
“The eighth night is the completion and the menorah is as lit up as it’s going to be,” said Rabbi Kevin Bernstein of Evanston, Shir Hadash interim rabbi. “So we’ve been building up to this point where we’re looking at the most light that we can, which is a big part of the holiday of bringing light to what is the darkest time of the year.”
This year, the holiday comes as the Israel-Hamas war, which started Oct. 7 after the terror group attacked a kibbutz and took hostages, wages on. Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, and reports of antisemitism around the world have increased.
“For a lot of us, with the events that have happened, it has been sort of a dark period,” Bernstein said. “And I think that is what makes it particularly special for Hanukkah to think about the light that we have, that we are to each other, and that we can provide to others.”
The open house program included music, food such as latkes and cookies to decorate. There was also crafts and a picture book reading.
Rowan Simon, 13, of Buffalo Grove, performed Hanukkah songs on electric guitar and sang.
“I think it’s important to perform because I want to share my music with the world,” Rowan said.
Lauren Comm took latkes from the oven of the synagogue’s kitchen to a buffet counter. There were jelly filled donuts (sufganiyot) and apple juice plus condiments for the latkes including apple sauce, sour cream and ketchup. Some people like sugar on latkes or enjoy them plain.
“For Hanukkah, we use fried foods because of the oil that lasted,” Comm said. “The miracle of Hanukkah is that the oil for the temple burned for eight days, and so we eat things that are fried in oil, like latkes.”
Shir Hadash members Evan and Christina Crum, of Elk Grove Village, brought their son Miles, 3. Mary Beth Crum, a grandmother from Arlington Heights, also attended the family memory maker.
“This is very important for me,” Mary Beth Crum said of spending time with Miles and his parents. “What I think is really cool is that they’re blending both their faiths together.
Christina Crum is Catholic while her husband, Evan, is Jewish, the grandmother explained.
“So, Evan is giving Miles the Jewish background and Christina is giving Miles the Catholic background so he celebrates Hanukkah and he celebrates Christmas,” Mary Beth Crum said. “And I think that’s really cool.”
Lynne Arons, of Buffalo Grove, board member, synagogue founding member and Hebrew school teacher, read aloud the children’s picture book “Hanukkah Hamster” by Michelle Markel.
The book is, “adorable, it’s an adorable story, I have not read this before,” Arons said about “Hanukkah Hamster.” “I love reading stories to kids.”
The evening’s hospitality included guests being encouraged to take treats home.
Lauren Comm also said as a takeaway, “Remember when we’re lighting the last candle tonight that there is always light in the darkness and there is more good than bad out there.”
Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer.
More Top Picks Best Dog Bike Trailers