‘Connection is what you need,’ Jewish community gathers in Uptown to light menorah
Posted Dec 8, 2023 08:59:48 AM.
Last Updated Dec 8, 2023 08:59:52 AM.
It was a packed Waterloo Public Square in Uptown Waterloo Thursday evening for the lighting of the menorah, to mark the beginning of Chanukah.
Rabbi Moshe Goldman officiated the ceremony, saying he was encouraged by the turnout of community members who continue to be impacted by the war in the Middle East.
“The people in this community, Jewish, non-Jewish, Palestinian, non-Palestinian, who are affected by that, it’s very draining on everybody, it’s very difficult, and at an event like this, connection is what you need … you need connection with other people, connection with the community, connection with some ideals, and a vision forward, and that’s what this event was about. It is great to see people respond when there is an opportunity like that.”
Rabbi Goldman had this message for the Jewish community in Waterloo Region.
“For the Jewish community to be proud of who they are, and to be secure in the knowledge that in Waterloo Region particular, you will always have support to live as a Jew and to practice Judaism as a Jew, and there is nothing to be ashamed of, you should be proud of that.”
Menorah lighting ceremonies will continue to take place across the Region over the next eight days of Chanukah.
One in Civic Square in Cambridge on December 13, the other in Carl Zehr Square at Kitchener City Hall on December 14.
