Marco Celebrates the Festival of Lights

Sunday, November 28th of this year welcomed the beginning of the Jewish celebration period known as Hanukkah, which ended at nightfall on Monday, December 6. Hannukah’s origins date back 200 years before Christianity. The holiday, which lasts eight nights, is one of the most important celebrations within the Jewish faith.

The celebration of Hanukkah (Chanukah) is said to have been instituted by Judas Maccabeus in 165 B.C. Its purpose was to celebrate the victory over Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the Seleucid king who invaded Judaea, desecrated the Second Temple of Jerusalem and attempted to convert the Jews.

The Jews rose up against the Syrians-Greeks in protest and won their independence to worship freely. The miracle of the oil would become a centerpiece of their celebration, for it symbolizes a valued principal within the Jewish faith which believes a little bit of light can drive out the darkness (The Festival of Lights).

Hanukkah recounts the story of a lamp in the Jerusalem Temple containing only one-day’s oil left to burn, yet it miraculously burned for 8 days. This allowed the Jews to acquire a larger supply of oil, enabling the menorah to burn continuously, so they could rededicate and cleanse the Temple following its desecration by the invaders who attempted to convert them.

On Sunday, December 5, the Jewish Congregation of Marco Island (JCMI) held its annual ceremonial lighting of the menorah. Attendees were welcomed to the event by Sue Baum, the President of the Congregation and Rabbi Mark Gross, who spoke at the event.

Members of the Marco Island City Council in attendance included Council Chairman Erik Brechnitz and Councilors Greg Folley and Joseph Rola. In addition, Police Chief Tracy Frazzano was in attendance. The community leaders were honored to join with JCMI members and light the menorah, a tradition which links the JCMI menorah on Marco Island to the Second Temple of Jerusalem.

At the ceremony’s close, Rabbi Gross thanked everyone for attending and wished them a safe journey home.