Come True
make her wishes
Helping hand
Oak Bay recognizes contribution of volunteers Page A3
Mayfair Shopping Centre www.MayfairJewellery.ca
NEWS: Would-be robber flees empty handed /A2 COMMUNITY: Family discovers healthy donation /A4 SPORTS: Oak Bay hosts basketball tournament /A10
OAK BAYNEWS Wednesday, December 17, 2014
I’m dreaming of a white mocha
1327 Beach Dr. | 7am – 7pm
oakbaynews.com
Celebrating December’s other holiday Hanukkah celebrates light of the eternal flame
Hanukkah, which started Tuesday and ends Dec. 24, celebrates that rededication of the temple. “We celebrate that. We don’t celebrate the war, we celebrate the light,” Janna says. “There’s always a Christine van Reeuwyk light on in the temple, even today in News Staff the synagogue there’s always a light on.” Three-year-old Ira Rose already The first night includes an extra knows the candle in the middle is the prayer, a blessing used for something “helper candle”. new, it’s also said at the start of other The Saanich youngster is slightly put celebrations. off by the ceremonial candelabra that “It’s just a happy celebration,” says features a “helper candle” to the far left and raised from the other eight, instead Morris Bleviss. “Others are related to the seasons … or of in the middle like contemplative.” most of the hanukkiah Each night after in Janna Bleviss’ that first includes two collection. prayers. The candles The Oak Bay woman’s n The Congregation Emanuare left to burn down array includes her El in Victoria is the oldest each night, with the childhood hanukkiah synagogue in Canada (other hanukkiah placed in a and one she got for her synagogues in Toronto window to share the 50th birthday. The one and Montreal preceded it, celebration, Morris Eli noticed, for example, but later moved to larger says. spells out Hanukkah in premises). Congregation “A lot of families do Hebrew. Emanu-El celebrated 150 get a present every “If you have a years in June 2013. night,” adds Katy Christmas tree, you Rose, Ira’s mother. It’s collect different something they may ornaments as the years broach in their family, as Ira is at an go by. This is the same,” says Janna. age where he notices the difference The seven-candled menorah is between other celebrations taking used all year for Jewish worship and place in the city and among his peers. ceremony. At Hanukkah there are nine Those eight evenings also tend candles, the eight marking the miracle to include a great spread featuring and a ninth to light them with. traditional foods such as the fried Hanukkah commemorates the 165 potato cakes called latke, which BC victory of the Maccabees, a Jewish can also vary from household to rebel army, over the Syrians and the household. subsequent rededication of the holy temple in Jerusalem. The Maccabees found enough consecrated oil in the PlEASE SEE: temple to light its eternal flame for one Hanukkah a holiday for children, Page A2 day. The lamp burned for eight.
Did you know?
Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff
Eli Rose, 3, uses the ‘helper candle’ to help family friend Morris Bleviss light the hanukkiah candles while Janna Bleviss looks on. They light two, for the second day of Hanukkah today (Dec. 17).
NEW LISTING
Uplands Estate with Pool 3075 Devon Road $1,558,888
RE/MAX Camosun
Updated Character Home in Rockland Cordova Bay Executive Home 1376 Craigdarroch Road $1,095,000
250.220.5061
5092 Clutesi Street $1,089,000
www.preferredhomes.ca
Guy
Scott
Karl