Fight hate with kindness and light, rabbi says as Bradenton area celebrates Hanukkah
As Jewish people around the world celebrate Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, anti-Jewish crimes have surged in recent years.
The majority of those have been in large cities with large Jewish populations, like New York, which saw 207 hate crimes in 2021, and Los Angeles, which saw 80, according to the Anti-Defamation League.
“We know that it is happening around the country,” Rabbi Mendy Bukiet, leader of Chabad of Bradenton & Lakewood Ranch, said Monday.
In the Sarasota area, antisemitic flyers have been found in neighborhoods several times this year.
Bukiet believes acts of antisemitism need to be fought not with hatred, but with acts of kindness and goodness.
“One of the ways to change hate is to bring light to the world,” Bukiet said.
Lindsey Mintz, director of community engagement for the Jewish Federation of Sarasota and Manatee, said that while some of the more egregious examples of antisemitism seen elsewhere may not be prevalent here, local concerns remain.
“We are seeing an increase in incidents on a personal level, most often affecting young members of the Jewish community, and most often in social media or in schools,” Mintz said.
“It comes in many forms, and Jewish people know it when the hairs on the back of their necks stand up,” she said.
A national campaign, Shine a Light, encourages people to partner and collaborate to shine a light on antisemitism at a local level, she said.
“Every single person has to see themselves as an actor playing an active role, and stand up and speak out each and every time to call out an instance of racism or bigotry. If everyone did that, it (bigotry) would not be normal,” she said.
More about Hanukkah
Hanukkah, which this year is being observed Dec. 18-26, commemorates the rededication during the second century B.C. of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after Jews had risen up against Greek-Syrian occupiers in the Maccabean Revolt.
Even though Judah Maccabee and the other Jews who took part in the rededication had only enough untainted olive oil to keep the menorah’s candles burning for a single day, the flames continued flickering for eight nights, according to the Talmud.
To commemorate that miracle, Jewish families light one candle each night of Hanukkah, until all eight candles on their menorah, plus the helper candle, the shammash, is lit.
Although not considered a major Jewish holiday, Hanukkah is now widely celebrated as a happy time when dreidel (a four-sided top) is played and special holiday foods like latkes and jelly doughnuts are eaten.
Chabad of Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch annually shines the light of Hanukkah with a giant menorah lighting on Lakewood Ranch Main Street, accompanied by those special holiday foods and games.
This year’s lighting was 6 p.m. Monday and included a concert by Jewish soul singer Tali Yess.
“When God gives us skills and the talent, the purpose is to spread the light,” Bukiet said.
Also planned by the Chabad is a Hanukkah parade 6 p.m. Wednesday at Chabad of Bradenton & Lakewood Ranch, 5712 Lorraine Road, a menorah lighting at Ellenton Premium Outlets Ellenton 6 p.m. Thursday, and individual menorah lightings this week in Lakewood Ranch villages of Cresswind, Esplanade and Del Webb.
Temple Beth El, 5150 Peridia Blvd., invites all to a Hanukkah Shabbat service and menorah lighting 7 p.m. Friday.
If you have a Bradenton area Hanukkah event not listed here, please email the details to jajones1@bradenton.com.
