Innisfil Jewish community celebrates Hanukkah

Innisfil Jewish community celebrates Hanukkah Nearly a hundred members of the local Jewish community gathered at Innisfil Town Square for Chabad Innisfil’s annual Hanukkah party.

Nearly a hundred members of the Jewish community in South Simcoe gathered at Innisfil Town Square for Chabad Innisfil’s annual Hanukkah party Sunday evening.

The ‘Light Up Innisfil’ event celebrated the fifth night of the holiday with latkes and jelly doughnuts, live music, an LED robot performance and the lighting of the fifth candle on the grand menorah.

“It means very much of course as a Mitzvah to the Jewish community and to Jewish people,” said Rabbi Zev Kaplan from Chabad Innisfil. “But as well as a universal message of freedom and the triumph, the victory of positivity over negativity, of light over darkness.”

The event was also attended by members of council, South Simcoe Police, Innisfil Fire & Rescue Services, as well as MP John Brassard and MPP Andrea Khanjin.

“We’re really happy to celebrate Hanukkah with our Jewish community and just celebrate the season with everyone celebrating,” said Lynn Dollin, Mayor of Innisfil. “We’re very fortunate to have an active group here in Innisfil that’s happy to support Jewish activity and different traditions.”

“We stand firm in our fight against antisemitism,” added Brassard. “On behalf of Pierre Poilievre I stand here tonight in support of not just our local Jewish community, but our Jewish communities across Canada and across the world. Happy Hanukkah everyone.”

There were also Hanukkah events at Blue Mountain Village and at Aurora Town Square on Sunday.

Ontario Provincial Police General Headquarters in Orillia will be the site of a province-wide candle lighting ceremony Monday evening, where all six OPP Regional Headquarters will light the sixth candle through an interactive live feed.

Hanukkah runs until Thursday evening at sunset.