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People are invited to the Richmond Cultural Centre on Dec. 22 for the annual menorah lighting event.
Photo by Hannah Scott
Richmond’s Hanukkah menorah to be lit again
By Hannah Scott
Published 11:23 PST, Mon December 19, 2022
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Richmondites are invited to gather at Richmond Cultural Centre (7700 Minoru Gate) on Dec. 22 for the annual public lighting of the city’s 7.5-metre (25-foot) Hanukkah menorah.
Each Hanukkah, Jewish people light a nine-branched candelabrum called a menorah. Each night, another candle is added to mirror the story about the Maccabean revolt, when oil for a single day miraculously lasted for eight days.
The menorah, designed in the late 1980s by renowned Canadian architect Arthur Erickson, was commissioned by twin brothers and Ebco Industries founders Helmut and Hugo Eppich. Stored at Ebco’s warehouse, this menorah is cleaned annually and put together outside Richmond Cultural Centre.
The menorah lighting is sponsored by Ebco, Lightspeed Commerce, The Bayit, Chabad of Richmond, and the Richmond Public Library and Cultural Centre.
Following the cancellation of the public event in 2020, and a smaller event in 2021 due to public health restrictions, The Bayit president Keith Liedtke says this year’s event is anticipated to be larger and more vibrant.
“It’s important because it sheds light on humanity,” says Liedtke. “Lots of religions shine light; this is the way we shine light.”
Since the menorah’s construction, it has annually brought Richmondites of all faiths together to celebrate the theme of light illuminating the darkness. Liedtke adds that Mayor Malcolm Brodie and other elected officials and dignitaries have been incredibly supportive.
While the public event is celebrated on a single night, The Bayit’s Rabbi Levi Varnai will light the candles each of the eight nights, along with other community members.
“Our aim is someday we will build a synagogue, a bigger synagogue, and will have (the menorah) permanently at the new synagogue site in the future,” says Liedtke. “In the meantime, we’re looking for a place to have it temporarily so we don’t always have to haul it out and transport it.”
The public event begins at 5 p.m. on Dec. 22 with drop-in family activities. The menorah lighting ceremony will take place at 5:45 p.m.
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