Nearly a hundred East Bay families gathered at Walnut Creek's downtown ice rink Sunday to commemorate the first night of Hanukkah.
"It's the story of Hanukkah," said Rabbi Yacov Kagan with Chabad of Contra Costa, which sponsored the inaugural outdoor "Hanukkah on Ice" event. "The brave and the few who came out despite the rain. It reminds me of the brave few who came out of the bitter darkness to fight for the Jerusalem Temple."
Families celebrate festival of lights
They came — braving the rain and the cold — to celebrate Hanukkah on ice.
Nearly a hundred East Bay families gathered at Walnut Creek’s downtown ice rink Sunday to commemorate the first night of Hanukkah.
“It’s the story of Hanukkah,” said Rabbi Yacov Kagan with Chabad of Contra Costa, which sponsored the inaugural outdoor “Hanukkah on Ice” event. “The brave and the few who came out despite the rain. It reminds me of the brave few who came out of the bitter darkness to fight for the Jerusalem Temple.”
Hanukkah celebrates the Maccabees leading the Jewish people to victory over the Syrian invaders in 186 B.C. Hanukkah also commemorates the miracle of one day’s supply of oil for a menorah, or candelabrum, lasting for eight days.
This year, the first day of Hanukkah fell on the same day as Christmas, which hasn’t happened since 1959.
“Hanukkah is really an opportunity for the Jewish community to celebrate around Christmas,” said Walnut Creek resident Eric Kleinman.
When not noshing on traditional Hanukkah treats of latkes with applesauce and sufganiot (or jelly donuts), those who came bundled in rain jackets and scarves took to the ice.
Jonathan Dixon, an ice rink employee, wove among skaters with a large garbage can and scooped standing water from the rink.
“It’s ice skating. It’s always slippery,” said Leah Kleinman of the rainy conditions. Kleinman, a Walnut Creek resident, was sliding across the slick surface with her 9-year-old daughter, Sharona. Both were soaked but having fun skating to the beat of Jewish music.
At one point in the evening, the skaters paused for Rabbi Kagan as he made his way to the center of the ice rink and the menorah. After singing three blessings, the rain stopped momentarily as Kagan reached up to light the first candle of Hanukkah.
Walnut Creek resident and Chabad volunteer Susan Weisinger was thrilled to see so many families out in the rain. She had watched the weather reports all week.
Monica Bilsky said even the rain couldn’t stop her from coming out to celebrate the holy day of lights.
“The light has nothing to do with the rain,” said the Walnut Creek resident. “It is about the light of the soul in each of us.”
