Elation is in the air as a special guest arrives at Mamilla Avenue this Chanukah 2020.
The guest is none other than the famous Chabad Talbiya menorah (Chanukiya), which has just been painstakingly repaired, refurbished and restored, at great expense, to its original glory after weathering nearly a decade of Jerusalem’s inclement winters of winds, rain and snow.
This hand-wrought menorah has a rich and interesting past, inspiring and warming the hearts of Jews from around Jerusalem, Israel and the world. Beginning ten years ago, with candle lighting ceremonies for less than a hundred people, in recent years that number of spectators has risen to tens of thousands. You can read more about this special menorah’s history here:
https://collive.com/and-the-lights-shone-out-of-jerusalem/
This has been a year of pain, loneliness and a sense of uncertainty felt by people the world over, which makes celebrating the light and life-affirming messages of Chanukah 2020 so much more vital.
This year’s Chanukah miracles are so much more than the physical restoration of the menorah; they began with the heartening knowledge that in spite of the lock downs and fear of the virus, Rabbi Eli and Chana Canterman were able to bring the administration of Mamilla Avenue and the Jerusalem municipality to give a rare permit to hold this year’s 10th annual Chanukah-long candle lighting events on Mamilla Avenue by broadcast. Abiding by strict Ministry of Health guidelines, the shluchim will bring the warmth of the menorah candles and the joy of this yom tov into countless homes throughout Israel and abroad via livestreaming on their website link: 8mamilla.co.il
Each night of Chanukah, via live-streaming, a different well-known personality will light the Chanukah candles and singers and entertainers will enhance the pure light of this holiday with joyous song.
Always searching for new ways to bring a new dimension into every aspect of Jewish life, Rabbi Eli and Chana Canterman, have introduced a new concept this Chanukah: “The Light that Grows in the Dark Contest”. This contest is open to Am Yisrael around the world, from ages 12 and up. Everyone is invited to produce a Chanukah presentation demonstrating their musical, acting or creative skills in a video clip. These clips will then be sent to Chabad Talbiya and three lucky winning presentations will be chosen on the 7th night of Chanukah and will be shown on the 8th night in Mamilla Avenue during the candle lighting ceremony! Everyone is eligible.
Learn more here:
https://www.chabadjerusalem.org.il/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/4970973/jewish/Chanukah-contest-NEW.htm
LIVE: Menorah lighting nightly at 6:00 PM Israel time, 11 AM ET.
