A point of light, learning

According to Rabbi Schneur Oirechman, most people at the Chanukah Carnival on Sunday weren’t members of his synagogue or of Chabad Lubavitch of the Panhandle, the Jewish organization he leads. Many weren’t Jewish at all.

During the carnival at Lake Ella that marked the first of the eight-day Jewish holiday, people came out for fellowship, to experience a different culture and to be proud of who they are.

A Beautiful Photo Gallery is included in the Extended Article!

For Whitney Graham, 17, it was a day of learning. She came to the carnival with her friend, Kate Stevenson, 18, who is Jewish. Though some of her family has since converted to Christianity, Stevenson still chooses to practice Judaism. Sunday was her chance to share what she knows about Hanukkah with her friend.

Stevenson explained to Graham how to light the menorah, while Graham got a taste of the doughnuts that were on the table by the latkes.

Later, Stevenson said she would explain the story.

“Two thousand years ago, they had to hide to practice their Judaism,” Oirechman said. “The message of Hanukkah is freedom of religion. You can practice what you believe in in public.”

The celebration was held at Lake Ella with plenty of things to do for children, such as face painting, a guessing game about dreidels, tzedakah can toss, pin the flame on the menorah and an Antiochus knock down.

“It makes them feel proud of their heritage,” said Oirechman, referring to the children’s games.

For some blended families, the carnival was a chance to incorporate some Jewish traditions into the holiday season. Some celebrated xmas in the morning and went to the carnival in the afternoon. Some people just wanted to diversify their holiday.

Beverly Hill isn’t Jewish, but she brought her 7-year-old daughter, Laura, to the carnival.

“I’m not into commercialized holidays,” Hill said. “It’s just me and her hanging out.”

They exchanged gifts earlier, and Laura got her face painted at the carnival like a tiger.

If this was in a temple or synagogue, many of these people wouldn’t have come, Oirechman said. “Here, it’s not religious. It’s just people out being Jewish.”