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December 6, 2002
A light unto all nations
Chanukah celebration has an atmosphere of optimism.
PAT JOHNSON SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH BULLETIN
Days after continuing terrorist attacks claimed Israeli lives at
home and in Africa, Jews and friends in Vancouver joined together
in a public celebration of Chanukah and in lighting flames of hope
in the face of a bleak, conflicted world.
Hundreds of Vancouver-area residents converged outside the Vancouver
Art Gallery before the third night of Chanukah, last Sunday, to
publicly light the Silber family menorah that stands imposingly
against the backdrop of the Hotel Vancouver. This year's honored
guests lighting the menorah were Herb Silber, son of the late Fred
Silber, whose philanthropy created the menorah, and Herb Silber's
young nephew, Zack Silber. Members of the audience huddled over
their own small candles, shielding against a cold, winter wind,
as Rabbi Yitzchak Wineberg spoke of the symbolism of light in the
Chanukah tradition and in the larger history of troubled times such
as these.
"In our most desperate hour ... we must never lose hope,"
said the rabbi. "Our candles urge us to pray for peace for
all people."
Wineberg spoke of Fred Silber, whose life experience was an example
of hope overcoming great odds. Silber was the only member of his
family to survive the Holocaust, but he made a new life in Canada
and succeeded, strengthened by his love of Judaism.
Herb Silber spoke of the family's commitment to Judaism and to Israel
before mounting a hydraulic lift for a somewhat daunting rise to
the menorah.
Children noshed on sufganiyot and a few participants waved Israeli
flags. The Vancouver Jewish Men's Choir sang and various members
of the community spoke from the podium.
Naomi Frankenburg, representing the Israel Action Committee, spoke
of her many trips to Israel and the necessity of visiting the Jewish
state now to show solidarity. Israelis are carrying on with their
ordinary lives, Frankenburg reported, adding that more Israelis
die in car accidents than in terrorist attacks.
Politicians, including Liberal member of the legislature Lorne Mayencourt,
addressed the crowd. Larry Campbell, who was sworn in as mayor of
Vancouver the next day, continued the tradition begun by Philip
Owen, of the mayor attending the annual candlelighting.
Vancouver police were on scene throughout the event and Wineberg
thanked them for their presence, thanking God that their services
were not needed.
The event was co-sponsored by Lubavitch B.C., the Jewish Federation
of Greater Vancouver and the Israel Action Committee.
This year, the ceremony did not take on the overtly political overtones
that pervaded last year's lighting. In 2001, the federal government
was under fire for repeated anti-Israel votes at the United Nations
and that foreign affairs issue was on the minds of many at the ceremony.
International developments, including continued terrorist bombings
and an attempted missile attack on an Israeli airline in Kenya were
more immediate concerns. Still, the ceremony carried an air of hope
and optimism, in keeping with the message of Chanukah.
Pat Johnson is a native Vancouverite, a journalist and commentator.
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