Chabad’s Chanukah at Riverwalk a warm, bright affair
By ALAN SMASON
Blame it on the lateness of the holiday this season or perhaps it was just the luck of the draw, but the annual Chanukah at the Riverwalk event put on by Chabad Lubavitch of Louisiana was not only bright, but downright balmy for the first time in a long time.
The largest Chanukah menorah is lit by Gene Gekker of Carriage Cab of New Orleans, one of the event sponsors. (Photo by Alan Smason)
In addition rain showers did not put a damper on the event, which was held Tuesday evening, Dec. 27, at the Spanish Plaza through the cooperation of the Outlet Collection at Riverwalk Mall.
Approximately 500 people showed for the event that began at 5:00 p.m. with music supplied by Ooh La La Entertaiment and the centerpiece of which featured the lighting of Louisiana’s largest Chanukiah. Built by Holocaust survivor Isak Borenstein of blessed memory, a gifted carpenter, the wooden structure stands at over 11 feet tall.
Gene Gekker of Carriage Cab of New Orleans, one of several sponsors of the event, climbed atop a ladder and kindled five lights with four lights representing the fourth night of Chanukah and the other being the shamash (or guardian light). While Gekker had the honor of lighting the structure, assistant U.S. Attorney Gerson Schreiber davened the blessings over lighting the Chanukah lights.
Earlier, Rabbi Zelig Rivkin, the head of Chabad Lubavitch of Louisiana, addressed the crowd and explained the two parts of the holiday that are celebrated, which are the victory of the Jews (Maccabees) over the Assyrian Greeks and the miracle of the oil. Focusing on the miracle of the oil, Rivkin elaborated: “Instead of engaging darkness, we should just increase light,” he said. ” The strength that we get to be able to illuminate this darkness comes from the essence of our soul. It’s not logical. It has nothing to do with our decisions on (an) intellectual level. It comes from a deep strength of who we are and what we represent.”
Rivkin encouraged Jewish attendees to celebrate Chanukah not just with the kindling of lights, but to illuminate “our own personal candle and do it with the strength that we’re able to.”
Morris Bart, another sponsor of the event, expressed thanks for Chabad’s involvement in Chanukah. “Cathy and I are proud to sponsor this every year because we believe it is a beautiful event,” he said. He also encouraged prayers be said for a speedy healing for David Kaufmann, previously the director of the event, who was unable to attend due to illness.
State Senator J. P. Morrell complimented the size of the crowd and brought greetings on behalf of the State of Louisiana. Referring back to the presidential campaign and all of its divisiveness, Morrell said one thing everyone can learn from Chanukah is that one light can stand against the darkness. “The lesson of Chanukah is that if you are that light in the darkness, if you are that person who is doing the right thing, you can make a difference, Morrell said. “I challenge you to be that light.”
Speaking on behalf of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, president Dr. Eddie Soll extended his greetings to the attendees. “For all you, these lights that we’re going to light tonight, tomorrow night and the next night until we’re at the eighth night, they should be a blessing for all of us to look to the future with good health, with prosperity and with peace,” he said.
Kosher Cajun offered a number of food opportunities, while latkes were served – while they lasted – by Bluma Rivkin, one of the two schluchim (emisarries) sent to Louisiana by the last Chabad Rabbi almost 40 years ago. Other booths involved games for kids and face painting.
Ooh La La also provided a laser light show with several new Chanukah images projected onto the Outlet building next to the Spanish Plaza.
Rivkie Chesney, the co-director of Torah Academy, served as the emcee for the event.
Gallery of photos:
