‘Canorah’ Brings Light, Cheer – and Food – to Students
The stereotype of university students surviving on macaroni and cheese and instant soup is an enduring one, but with the economic downturn there are some who may not be able to afford even those basic items. Last week, Chabad@York University organized an early Chanukkah celebration attended by all Jewish campus groups that also acknowledged this sombre situation.
The event, sponsored by the Antebi family for the complete recovery of Chaim ben Zilpah, involved the surprisingly speedy construction of a menorah from 500 cans of food. Upon dismantling, the cans would be donated to the York Federation of Students’ (YFS) food bank and a new kosher food bank on campus being launched by Chabad in response to this need.
Rabbi Vidal Bekerman of Chabad@York explained that the Greeks had tried to deemphasize the spiritual and suppress the concept of miracles, which is why the candles should be displayed prominently.
In keeping with the theme of the festival and the event’s slogan ‘Yes We Can! Light Up a Life,’ he noted that Jews are required not just to have a positive effect on themselves but also on the broader world.
Rabbi Aaron Greenberg of the Jewish Learning Initiative pointed out that in the material world when you give you have less but the light of the candles symbolizes the spiritual world, where one shares of oneself but is not diminished.
Chabad@York president Rena Friedman and Vice-President Zina Rakhamilova, Wes Slater of GROW, Yonatan Oliver of B’nai Brith on Campus, Jewish Studies Professors Sara Horowitz and Marty Lockshin and representatives of YFS and Student Community and Leadership Development also had the honour of illuminating the menorah.
The event in ‘The Bearpit’ attracted the attention of a diverse group of Jewish and non-Jewish students, all of whom were warmly welcomed and invited to partake of delicious donuts donated by Amazing Donuts, traditional sufganiyot subsidized by Hermes Bakery and crispy latkes.
Individual menorahs, dreidels and chocolate Chanukah gelt were also distributed to ensure that all Jewish students were able to commemorate the miracle of the holiday.
