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December 17, 2004
Spreading light on downtown
Silber Family Agam Menorah-lighting draws wishes for hope, peace.
PAT JOHNSON
The annual lighting of the Chanukah menorah in the courtyard of
the Vancouver Art Gallery Sunday doubled as a solidarity rally with
Israel. Several speakers made allusions to the Middle East conflict
– and the enduring hope for peace – before the enormous
Agam menorah was lit on a brisk but clear morning.
"During the past 2,000 years, Jewish people have been lighting
the menorah in conditions that have sometimes been intolerable,"
said Arnold Silber, the son of the late Fred Silber who commissioned
the menorah by the famed sculptor Yaacov Agam. "But today we
have Israel and we can light the menorah in pride, without fear
and without persecution. Today, we have the good fortune of living
in this great country of Canada, a free country that respects all
of our diverse traditions, a country that encourages multiculturalism
and a city and a province where we can light the most prominent
menorah in Canada, in the presence of the federal, provincial and
municipal governments."
The menorah's candles were lit by Samantha Andison, the great-granddaughter
of Fred Silber.
Addressing the crowd of about 200 were the mayor of Vancouver, the
premier of British Columbia and the federal industry minister.
David Emerson, federal industry minister and member of Parliament
for Vancouver-Kingsway, read a letter from Prime Minister Paul Martin
and expressed hopes for future peace.
"Chanukah this year could have very special meaning,"
said Emerson. "I believe we are approaching a moment in time
where there is a real genuine prospect for a reinvigoration of the
Middle East peace process and let us hope that the lighting of the
menorah does signify that we are about to enter a new era of peace,
social justice and enlightenment."
Premier Gordon Campbell thanked the Silber family for providing
the rare Agam menorah to the Vancouver community.
"In sharing your light, in sharing your faith, in sharing your
hope, you make us all stronger and you make us all realize what
the future can bring when we all celebrate together," said
the premier.
Vancouver Mayor Larry Campbell, whose taste in hats runs to the
rabbinic, singled out the contributions made to the city by members
of the Jewish community.
"When you walk the streets of Vancouver, the names of Segal,
Wosk, Silber, Cohen, Diamond and so many others resonate with them,
giving back to the community, sharing with this community,"
said the mayor. "I simply want to wish you peace and I want
to wish you a happy Chanukah and let's hope that next year when
we're here, peace will be realized and this will be a better world."
Mark Gurvis, executive director of the Jewish Federation of Greater
Vancouver, likened Israel to the candle on the menorah that lights
the others.
"Israel is like the chumash among the other candles on the
chanukiyah, the fire that inspires and mobilizes the rest,"
he said.
Bob Willmott, president of the Canada-Israel Committee, said Chanukah
represents a struggle for religious freedom.
"Today, we celebrate the miracle of Israel as a democratic
multicultural society that recognizes and protects the rights of
its minorities and gives freedom of expression to all of its citizens
regardless of creed, culture, color or belief," he said. "Today,
while we affirm the miracle of our survival and this celebration
of the miracle of light, let us also affirm our commitment to be
strong advocates for Israel and for a Canadian foreign policy that
is supportive of peace in the Middle East and consistent with Canadian
values."
Rabbi Andrew Rosenblatt, spiritual leader of Schara Tzedeck Synagogue,
spoke of the dreidel's role in the miracle of Chanukah.
"The dreidel, of course, was the game that the Jews used to
play to hide the fact that they were studying Torah," said
the rabbi. "A classroom of students getting a Jewish education,
when the Assyrian inspectors came in, would take out the dreidel
and begin to play a spinning top game, hiding their education. Today,
we can take the light of the menorah, the light that shines forth
as the light of our education, and celebrate here within a Canadian
society that celebrates this education along with us."
The public menorah lighting is an annual event organized by Lubavitch
B.C. Rabbi Yitzchak Wineberg emceed.
Pat Johnson is a B.C. journalist and commentator.
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