Honoring tradition is what the holiday season is all about. Fostering inclusivity and understanding, no matter what your cultural or religious observation, is one of the better characteristics of this most joyous time. The celebrations continue, as The Chabad of Las Cruces presents the 15th Annual MEGA Light Up Las Cruces Concert Chanukah Event at the Plaza de Las Cruces, on Sunday, December 29, the fifth night of the eight-day Chanukah holiday. Mayor Eric Enriquez will light the Shammash at 4 p.m., kicking off the festivities, including a concert by Los Klezmerados de Santa Fe.
Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, begins this year on the evening of Wednesday, December 25 and concludes the evening of Thursday, January 2. It commemorates the victory of a militarily weak Jewish people, who defeated the Syrian Greeks after they had overrun ancient Israel and sought to impose restrictions on the Jewish way of life and prohibit religious freedom. They also desecrated and defiled the Temple and the oils prepared for the lighting of the menorah, which was part of the daily service.
Upon recapturing the Temple only one jar of undefiled oil was found, enough to burn for only one day, but it lasted miraculously for eight. In commemoration, Jews celebrate Hanukkah for eight days by lighting an eight-branched candelabrum known as a menorah. Today, people of all faiths consider the holiday a symbol and message of the triumph of freedom over oppression.
"It's more important than ever to come together as a community during these times, especially during the holiday of Chanukah, which celebrates the victory of good over evil and light over darkness," said Rabbi Bery Schmukler, director of the Chabad Jewish Center. "We’re excited to celebrate Judaism with joy and pride, and make our culture accessible to the greater Las Cruces community.”
The lighting will feature what has come to be known as a Gelt drop. Firefighters from the Las Cruces Fire Department will climb to the top of an extended ladder and shower down chocolate Gelt (coins) on holiday themed parachutes, for the kids to retrieve. Participants will enjoy a full array of Chanukah activities like this one for both adults and children.
Some of the other highlights of the festival are inflatables for children, craft booths, balloon artists, face paint, and more. Enjoy traditional potato latkes, donuts, lots of Glow in the Dark giveaways (T-shirts for everyone in attendance) plus a Chanukah holiday Pop up Shop and live concert with the Los Klezmerados de Santa Fe, and a Fire Show by Odd Lab.
According to the release, “Chanukah propagates the universal message that ultimately good will prevail over evil, freedom over oppression and light over darkness. In ancient times our ancestors rededicated the Temple in Jerusalem by lighting the Menorah. Today as then, we rededicate ourselves to making this world a better and brighter place. We are asking everyone to come to show support!”
Chabad of Las Cruces offers Jewish education, outreach, and social service programming for families and individuals of all ages, backgrounds and affiliations. Chanukah on the Plaza is a free event and open to the greater community and has become known as one of the premier events of the region. For more information, contact Rabbi Bery Schmukler at 575-524-1330 or visit ChabadLC.org/concert
