'We want to spread the light:' Hanukkah kicked off in Evans at Grand Menorah Lighting

Miguel Legoas, Augusta Chronicle
·2 min read
Head Rabbi Zalman Fischer lights the menorah during the Chabad of Augusta's annual Chanukah ceremony and Grand Menorah Lighting in Evans Towne Center Park on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023.
Head Rabbi Zalman Fischer lights the menorah during the Chabad of Augusta's annual Chanukah ceremony and Grand Menorah Lighting in Evans Towne Center Park on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023.

What better place to kick off the 'Festival of Lights' than alongside the many light displays at Evans Towne Center Park?

This was the site for Chabad of Augusta's annual Grand Menorah Lighting on Thursday evening, marking the start of Hanukkah (also known as Chanukah).

While the headlining event was the lighting of the first candle on the 9-foot tall menorah, there was also a lot of other fun activities. Firefighters dropped gelt (Jewish chocolate coins) from high up in their fire truck bucket, hot latkes and other treats were served, and there was plenty of live music and prayers.

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Dmark Jeantine was among a small handful of participants providing live music, including some festive raps he wrote.

"It's a commandment for us to be witnesses to God, to make a public showing on behalf of God, to let the world know that He did a great miracle," Jeantine said. "My music for Hanukkah has the same mission in mind."

Miriam Miller, 4, kneels in a dreidel costume during the Chabad of Augusta's annual Chanukah ceremony and Grand Menorah Lighting in Evans Towne Center Park on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023.
Miriam Miller, 4, kneels in a dreidel costume during the Chabad of Augusta's annual Chanukah ceremony and Grand Menorah Lighting in Evans Towne Center Park on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023.

About 100 individuals and families from around the community were in attendance, including Rhea Markowitz, who has been coming to the annual lighting for as long as she can remember.

"It's so important to celebrate with our community and, especially this year, we need to show the world that we are here and light will bring us peace and we want to spread the light," she said.

This year's event also served as an opportunity to stand in solitary with Israel during its ongoing war with Hamas. Columbia County Board of Commissioners Chairman Doug Duncan was among the speakers who expressed support and helped light the grand menorah.

"I just want you to know that we stand with you, we support you. Do what you need to do," Duncan said. "You are the apple of God's eye, and we know that. We love you, and we stand with you."

The grand menorah will remain up through the rest of Hanukkah, with a new candle being lit every night for the rest of the eight-day holiday. For more information on its history and traditions, go to chabadaugusta.org.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Hanukkah celebrated in Evans park with Grand Menorah Lighting