Flames of Chanukah Kindled at McGill University

The flames of Chanukah have been kindled on the campus of McGill University once more! This time, on the first night of the eight day festival of lights 2012, Mayor Michael Appelbaum, the first Jewish mayor of Montreal, joined Chabad at McGill to light the “Official Canned Menorah” on the lower field. The Canned Menorah was built from cans of food raised through a student led food drive.

Led by seven ambassadors, the canned menorah, which was kindled on McGill’s lower field, was built of cans collected and donated by students from the McGill Jewish Community. The cans – more than 500 of them! – will be donated to two local charities.

MADA, Montreal’s largest kosher soup kitchen, serving thousands of meals each week and Yellow Door, a non-affiliated McGill food bank which donates food to students who are struggling, received the cans of kosher food to distribute to their clientele.

The cans were collected throughout the weeks leading up to Chanukah and the drive was officially launched at a cocktail kickoff event two weeks prior. Led by the Chabad Student Organization’s presidents, Orly Freiberg and Jesse Tepperman, both of Toronto, the event saw more than 300 cans come in.

“Chanukah is a special holiday. The elements of family, community and friendship are important aspects of the celebration,” Freiberg said. “We really wanted to make sure everyone in the community including the less fortunate we’re able to receive some holiday cheer.”

Echoing Freiberg’s words, Rabbi Shmuly and Rashi Weiss, directors of the Chabad Center on campus, said they were eager to facilitate the student run initiative. “Bringing Chabad at McGill to the forefront of helping the community at large has always been a goal of ours” Rashi said, “especially around Chanukah the importance is that much greater.”

When Mayor Michael Appelbaum heard about the event from his long-time friend, Shliach Rabbi Dovid Cohen, he was eager to take part. With one week to go until the first of its kind event, the Mayor’s office confirmed that he would be in attendance.

In his remarks to the crowd, the Mayor thanked Chabad for their support, commended the students behind the drive and delivered personal wishes for a peaceful and joyous Chanukah to the entire Jewish community.

Amongst the crowd of more than 250 were students and community members, the Mayor and Morton Mendelson, provost of McGill University.

At the kickoff cocktail event students enjoyed cocktails, refreshments and remarks from Tepperman and Freiberg. “It is our duty to give back to Jews and non-Jews alike who desperately need our help” Tepperman said then.

In singing a tune of camaraderie and unity, Chabad at McGill dedicated the eight candles of the Canned Menorah to leadership, education, community, righteousness, freedom & equality, social justice, commitment to Judaism and Israel. Tepperman and Freiberg outlined the significance of each dedication.

On “leadership” Tepperman took a moment to compliment and praise the McGill Jewish community. “Everyone sitting in this room right now is a Jewish leader. You are the voice of this community. You bring new ideas to the table, you advocate for Jewish causes and Jewish rights and you engage yourself in Jewish activities” Tepperman continued, “You are the people who will represent the voice of the next generation.”

Among the people that attended both events, Justin Cuperfain said he was thrilled to be a part of it all. “I am so thankful for the Chabad Center here on campus. They bring the Jewish holidays, Shabbat, Judaism in general, to life!” Cuperfain said. “I was really looking forward to celebrating Chanukah with my away-from-home Jewish Community” he concluded.

Arielle Maze, who coordinated the Havdallah which led off the event said she was really pleased that Chabad was leading the way in highlighting important issues such as social justice and spirit of community. “People often think of Chabad simply as a Center of Jewish Life but its truly much more” she said. “I can’t thank Rashi, Shmuly and the people involved enough for giving me a place to get involved, in a great, friendly environment.”

All said and done, the celebration of Chanukah, the festival of lights has added a shining glow to downtown Montreal. “Jewish pride and practice is vibrant at McGill. We can’t do that ourselves and I really stretch out my hand in congratulations to the students of the McGill Jewish community for their desire and thirst to grow and learn” said Rabbi Shmuly Weiss.

“Without the students, we would be another building at McGill. Instead, we are building the future together”