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Miracles & Lights: A Musical Chanukah Celebration

Chanukah is known as the Festival of Lights, a celebration of the miracles that God wrought for the Jewish people when pagan rulers sought to destroy the Jewish faith.  In these dark times, all acts of Jewish worship were forbidden, including the Temple sacrifices and the reading of the sacred scripture.  But God raised up heroes and martyrs to save the Jewish people and to preserve their faith.  He intervened with miracles that culminated in the rededication of the Jerusalem temple and the freedom of the Jewish people to worship God.

Our Chanukah celebration will begin with a musical program for families and singles of all ages.  Rabbi Rudolph will present a menorah lighting demonstration and explain how Jewish families celebrate Chanukah.  The St. Charles Interfaith Ensemble will lead participants in a selection of Chanukah songs, and traditional Chanukah foods will be served.

After the musical program, children will be invited to make their own dreydls (wooden tops, materials and instructions will be provided) and learn to play the dreydl game.  Rabbi Rudolph will lead adult participants in a concurrent discussion of the history of Chanukah traditions and the meaning of Chanukah for Jews today, in light of the Holocaust, the birth of the modern State of Israel, and the continuing struggle against anti-Semitism.

This event is free and open to the public. 

For more information, contact Janice Lent at interfaith@stcharleschurch.org