Time of inspiration for Jewish community

Redlands, CA – The largest menorah in Redlands could be seen in the front yard of Dr. Charles and Abby Hyman Wednesday night as the Jewish community came together to celebrate Hanukkah.

According to Rabbi Sholom Harlig of the Chabad of the Inland Empire, Hanukkah recognizes the eight days that the Jews received light from one drop of olive oil. The first day of Hanukkah celebrates finding the drop of oil after the war with the Greeks and the seven days following celebrates the miracle that the oil continued to burn.

“It is also to remind each one of us of the light of good deeds,” Halig said. “That each person is the light.”

For the Jewish community, Hanukkah is a time of inspiration. According to Chanie Halig, each day of Hanukkah is a day to ask what else can be done.

“Just looking at the flames of the menorah, it’s just a fire in it’s pure state. It’s not about glitz and glamour, it’s about each person and what are we going to personally do,” she said. “Whatever we did last night is not enough for the next night. It’s a good kind of challenge.”

In Judaism, the menorah symbolizes taking light and spreading it out and that message is universal, Chanie said.

“It just shows that one little person, one little spark, one little good deed can make a difference,” she said.

The Hanukkah celebration Wednesday night fell on the sixth night of Hanukkah. Rabbi Halig is traveling from city to city to celebrate Hanukkah with the various Jewish communities of the Inland Empire. The Hymans were more than happy to house the Redlands celebration, wishing that more people would have come.

“I’ve done this for several years and I am delighted that we have a really nice turn out this year,” Abby said. “The wonderful thing about Chabad is that they bring a wonderful spirit that is accepting of all Jews. There is no criticism of anybody.”

The celebration at the Hyman home offered traditional food including Latkes, or potato pancakes, a traditional Israeli salad and Kosher wine.

Redlanders socialized and feasted upon the food, while children played with Dreidels.

Around 8 p.m. the party gathered on the front lawn of the Hyman home to light a menorah that stood more than 6 feet tall.

Rabbi Halig passed the torch among the guests before lighting the Menorah and said, “the light in the darkness is to remind us that though it may be dark, there is still a little light. And each one of us is going to light up the world.”

The group said two blessings and then Halig lit six candles and placed the shamash (the ninth candle that is used to light the rest) in the middle.

The party then congregated inside for more food and to hear Harlig’s message, “Each One of Us is a Light.”

Halig spoke about the necessity of good deeds and the importance of always looking for the good in people.

“Every good deed we do, we have a connection with God,” Halig said. “And anything you can do is better than nothing. And that’s what Judaism is.”

Chanie commented that it is important to feel good about a person’s accomplishments but never to be satisfied.

“Everybody has to live up to their talent and their abilities,” Halig said.