Community invited to menorah celebration
Children and adults alike will delight in the Chabad Jewish Center of Cape Coral’s Grand Menorah Chanukah Celebration set for Monday.
The event will be held at Coralwood Shopping Center, 2301 Del Prado Blvd. S., sponsored by the Center.
This year’s theme is a Chanukah Candyland, where everyone will help in the lighting of a giant 5-foot tall Candy Menorah.
Each year. Chabad presents a Chanukah program that is fun, educational and hands on, a tradition that really keeps youth engaged, said Rabbi Yossi Labkowski.
“Last year we did a Lego Menorah, everyone loved that. And we had a menorah made out of balloons the year before.”
It has become a holiday time tradition.
He said they are always looking for new ideas to “keep the kids on the edge of their seats.”
The Candy Menorah was the perfect idea for this year.
“The uniqueness of the menorah is what the child remembers. Not only are we trying to give the children a unique and exciting Chanukah experience, we are teaching them that the holidays are fun and exciting.”
There will be a lot going on at the celebration. Following the lighting of the menorah, participants will receive large dreidels to fill with candy from the menorah. Program festivities also will feature Chanukah arts and crafts projects, cotton candy, music, singing, a Chanukah shop, tasty Chanukah treats and much more.
“The arts and crafts will be made out of candy as well,” Labkowski said. “The children will be able to make their menorah and dreidels from the candy.”
Chanukah treats will include donuts and lattkas and chocolate gelt, he said.
“At the shop we will have different things to purchase.”
The whole program is for adults and children alike.
“We will also be having some city dignitaries there as well,” he said.
Festivities and the lighting of the giant menorah will take place at 6 p.m.
“The message of Chanukah is to light up the world with goodness and kindness, with the light of Torah and God’s Commandments,” said Labkowski. “Everybody, the whole community, is invited.”
Chabad also invites the community to the Chanukah Party to take place Friday, Dec. 14 at 6 p.m. This event will feature a full Asian-style Shabbat dinner with traditional Chanukah foods, games and lots of Chanukah spirit and will be held at the synagogue.
Call the Chabad Center at 963-4770 for more information about these events or any questions regarding the Chanukah holiday.
The Center is at 1716 Cape Coral Parkway W.