Cranberry: Chanukah festivities bring ‘a little bit of light’ to ‘darkness’
CRANBERRY TWP — As the cold winter sun set on the municipal building Thursday, Dec. 7, Chabad Jewish Center of Cranberry ushered in the first, warm light of Chanukah.
“We’re focused on the positive, and that’s what Chanukah is all about — spreading the light,” Rabbi Yossi Feller said. “That’s what we hope to get out of the lighting: this idea of fighting darkness with light.”
Feller kindled the first flame on a nine-foot menorah that evening as part of the festival of lights outside the municipal center.
And with the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, Feller emphasized a growing need for a light in the darkness.
“There’s definitely an extra meaning,” he said. “There was not only an open attack on Jews in Israel, but there’s also been attacks on Jews on college campuses and other spaces.”
The surprise attack by Hamas militants this October, which killed roughly 1,200 — predominantly civilians — in Israel, has seen rising antisemitism worldwide during the ongoing war, in which more than 15,000 Palestinians have been killed.
While the township has been “very, very friendly and supportive,” according to Feller, holding the Chanukah celebration in a public place helped others take pride in their heritage.
“When it’s lit in a public space, it represents the principles of equality and religious freedom upon which our great country was founded,” he said. “And it’s a wonderful symbol of religious diversity that is the hallmark of the state of Pennsylvania.”
Township officials joined the lighting ceremony Thursday in a show of support, with chairman Mike Manipole calling the diverse township a “family.”
Dave Hutner, program manager for parks and recreation, said the township has been hosting the menorah lighting annually for a decade.
“We just want people to know that we support everybody,” he said. “We’re a diverse community and there’s diverse needs.”
Much like the recent Diwali celebration at the municipal center, Hutner said Chanukah was an essential part of the township’s culture.
“Whenever we get approached for something like that, instead of running from it, the township and the supervisors embrace it,” he said. “It’s part of what our community is.”
Chanukah, meaning “to dedicate” according to Feller, commemorates the recovery of Jerusalem from the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BC.
On attempting to rededicate the temple, Feller said the Jewish people found only one jar of “undefiled” oil.
“Which was enough to burn only for one day, but miraculously lasted for eight day,” Feller said. “In commemoration every year, we celebrate Chanukah for eight days by lighting an eight-branched candelabrum.”
Following the lighting of the first branch Thursday, visitors were invited indoors to continue the celebration with fried potato pancakes — latkes — and doughnuts.
“As I mentioned, the oil lasted for eight days even though it was only enough to last for one day,” he said. “And because of that, it’s customary to eat foods that are fried in oil.”
The celebration also included a “Gelt Drop,” with chocolate coins being dropped from a Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company truck for children.
“It’s to educate children in the giving of charity,” he said.
Complimentary menorahs were also provided for guests, as well as photo opportunities and a children’s craft table.
With his daughter Odelia, 1, playing at the craft table, Bunim Freudenberger, of Pittsburgh, said he hoped visitors to the celebration took away the “togetherness” of the holiday.
“It’s just a beautiful community coming together and supporting people,” he said. “It’s about getting people in the spirit of the holiday and being there for the people who need some light in their life.”
