The Benicia-Solano Jewish Women’s Network is again welcoming Benicians of all faiths to the Meghan Campbell Memorial Menorah Lighting, which will take place Sunday.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the first event, said Shoshana Deutscher-Nurik.
In addition to the lighting of the menorah, the telling of the story of Chanukah and the distribution of the four-sided dreidel, this year’s ceremony is an opportunity to purchase the newly released book, “Jewish Community of Solano County,” she said.
Chanukah is the Jewish Festival of Lights, a centuries-old remembrance and celebration of a miracle that occurred after a band led by Judah Maccabee fought and defeated the Greco-Syrian king, Antiochus, and restored the Jewish temple in Jerusalem.
The defiled temple, however, needed to be rededicated according to Jewish protocols that required consecrated olive oil. But they found just enough for a single day, and it would take eight days for a rider to arrive with more oil.
Regardless, Judah Maccabee started the rededication, lighting the lamp. Miraculously, the lamp remained lit.
Benicia’s celebration of the miracle is named in the memory of Meghan Campbell, who would have been 34, but who died in 2008 from complications of pneumonia.
Nurik’s daughter, Alexandra, was one of Meghan’s friends, and Meghan’s mother, Heather Campbell, once led the annual menorah lighting, using a menorah handmade by Meghan’s father, John Campbell.
When Meghan died, Heather paused the ceremony, which had been started so more Benicians could understand the story behind Chanukah.
That recess lasted two years. Then Nurik and others, including Meghan’s parents, resumed the event six years ago.
Children are welcome to participate in Sunday’s celebration, which will have songs with lyrics printed so all may join in.
This year’s menorah lighting will start at 4:30 p.m. Sunday in Benicia Public Library, 150 East L St.
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Sure glad there were no speakers that uttered the phrase, “Jesus is the reason for the season.”.
Just so we are clear (not the case for some):
“Springfield City Councilor Bud Williams celebrated the first night of Hanukkah in contradictory fashion, telling attendees at the city’s menorah lighting ceremony that “Jesus is the reason for the season.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU9mGHH59lU
very clear
Well I want to wish all our Jewish friends a Happy Channakah!
Ditto Dennis and a Merry Christmas to you.
Glad you recognize the idiocy brought forth by Bud Williams and by anybody that thinks it is no big deal.
He is correct and very clear.
Very anti Semitic.
How sare you call me ANTI Semetic. I guess that means you are anti Christain. I will let you tell us.
1.. Where did I call you anti Semetic?
2. Why would you infer that I was anti Christian? That is reprehensible.
I do believe your statement applied to m,y statement. I made the statemernt so you do think I am anti Semitic. That is why I said what I said for the same reason . Just following your thinking. You were answering my comment and that just says it all. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Now lets see if you can say the same.
Mistaken as the topic was the gaff by Bud Williams.
I consider Bud Williams to have been;
a) Ignorant (does not know what a Menorah is)
b) Arrogant
c) Anti -Semitic
or
d) All of the above,
in his actions.. Anyone that thinks that it was all goodd, in my mind, falls into one of the above categories.
I don’t say Merry X-Mas until the actual day. And, when I do I use the phrase Frohe Weihnachten, since I’m amongst family. Also, I don’t take part in the War on the “War on X-Mas”. And, I don’t play fetch .
Happy Holidays to you and your clan!
I do not use the term X-mas
Good for you.
Remember he used the term seasaon.
And, also “the”.
The reason for the “season” is axial tilt.
The 49ers did have a bad season but he was cut early on. So Axial had nothing to do with the season. I do believe he is playing soccer some place,, a sport that takes less talent. But he may come back next year for a try out. Strange sports world we are in. PBame football players for something they had nothing to do with.
49ers suck, almost as much as their fair weather fans. They are just getting back to their routine.
49ers suck, almost as much as their fair weather fans. Did I already mention that?
I do believe he is playing soccer some place,, a sport that takes less talent.
You have that right Bob!