Jewish pride and spirit among entertainers and attendees at Chabad's Chanuka at Universal CityWalk

In Los Angeles, Chabad of The San Fernando Valley staged its 13th annual Chanukah at Universal CityWalk on Sunday evening Dec 21st. Over 1,000 Jews (and Christian passers-by) enjoyed the free, open, Jewish celebration in the promenade area.

JooTube's orginal video features the group of international performers assembled: London's Shloime Gertner,  Johannesburg's Choni G., NYC's Eli Schwebel (on guitar), and Toronto, Canada's Shlomo Simcha uniting to perform Yosef Karduner's "Hashem Melech!" with backing by the Simcha Orchestra led by Robby Halperin. 

The large menorah's oil lamps were ceremoniously lit by Lyle Weisman and his family.  Is such a religious event in such a public space- too public?  Or is such a public expression of Jewish pride good for the Jews and for the gentiles?   

Chabad of the San Fernando Valley director, Rabbi Mayer Greene offers his views about the program, and the idea of holding publicly-accessible events like this, in the face of so much anti-Zionist activity around the world.



The show in two video playlists:



The various singers combine to sing in innovative ways, leading up to a moving finale. The audience plays an inspiring part in demonstrating Jewish pride to the world.
 

Chanukah: the time for Jews to re-dedicate ourselves to upholding Torah values against external pressures

Jews (not Israel) are the enemy of groups like NYC Solidarity with Palestine

Time to Take Back Hanukkah by Ari Soffer, Arutz 7 Managing Editor  Is Hanukkah a festival or a farce? How many of those who celebrate it appreciate what it's all about? And is it even worth celebrating at all?

The superficial popularity of Hanukkah is a charade. It is not real. In fact, it is precisely the "ease" with which the day can be (at least on a basic, ritualistic level) commemorated which is its downfall - despite the crucial significance it holds. ... 
 
Hanukkah is actually one of several rabbically-ordained festivals (as recorded in the "Megillat Ta'anit") which took place during the Second Temple period. And yet, whereas all the others were annulled by the sages following the tragic destruction of the Second Temple and onset of exile in 70CE, Hanukkah remained. Why? . . . 

"Chanukah with Judah Maccabee and General Allenby in Jerusalem." Illustrated by M.M. Harris, San Francisco. Published by A.B. Schayer, Cincinnati, Ohio: 1918. (Courtesy: Arthur Szyk Archive)

The observance of Hanukkah has morphed into a tragicomic light show. Tragicomic, because so many of those who inanely go through the motions of Hanukkah emphatically reject all, or most, of what it represents in their daily lives. And a mere light show, because without appreciating its core message, that is all that it is.  . . . 

Hanukkah is not just some quaint historical reenactment of a Jewish military victory; and the Maccabean Revolt was not a simple struggle of national liberation - though it was that as well - but rather an ideological struggle between good and evil.   By celebrating the Maccabees' victory we are expressing our solidarity with their values, and its triumph over hellenistic Greek values, with all the latter represented (and still represents).  Read the full article
 
In Los Angeles, Chabad of The San Fernando Valley staged its 13th annual Chanukah at Universal CityWalk on Sunday evening Dec 21st. Over 1,000 Jews (and Christian passers-by) attended.  The large menorah's oil lamps were ceremoniously lit by Lyle Weisman and his family.  Is such a religious event in such a public space- too public?  Or is such a public expression of Jewish pride good for the Jews and for the gentiles?  Chabad of the San Fernando Valley director, Rabbi Mayer Greene offers his views about Jews' pride vs risks of event like this around the world.



 JooTube's orginal video features the international performers: London's Shloime Gertner,  Johannesburg's Choni G., NYC's Eli Schwebel (on guitar), and Toronto, Canada's Shlomo Simcha uniting to perform Yosef Karduner's "Hashem Melech!" with backeing by the Simcha Orchestra led by Robby Halperin. 



At CityWalk's conclusion last year, Rabbi Moshe Parry discussed the story of the holiday and its meaning for us, today.

 

The Maccabees rekindled the light of Torah through their blood, tears and fire. Through their dogged resistance against the political and cultural imperialists of their time, who claimed the land of Israel as their own and sought to dilute authentic Torah values into something indistinguishable from any other culture or religion, save a few token symbols, A7's Ari Soffer concludes.

Hanukah Harry reveals the TRUE history and lessons of Hanukah

Hanukah Harry as portrayed by Jon Lovitz on Saturday Night Live, has been succeeded by Rabbi Moshe Parry in conveying the truth and pride of the story of Hanukah:

Pride vs. prudence? How publicly should we flaunt Judaism in this diaspora climate? Hanukah's metaphor for our survival

Dearbornistan: Shi’ite Muslim Subject to Hate Crimes for Hanging US, Israel Flags at Home – Hezbollahstan USA - Debbie Schlussel  

What happens to a (Shi’ite Muslim Arab) husband who displays American and Israeli flags at his home in Dearborn, Michigan?  He is subject to non-stop hate crimes from fellow Muslims in his Muslim-dominated city  “They left Nazi signs in our front yard,” said wife, Terresa, raised in Canada. “Two people were standing there, one with a lighter and one with a gas tank, telling us that they were going to burn our home down.” And late Friday night, Nov 30, a group of men in an SUV came back firing paintballs at the cars and on the side of the house. 

Meanwhile in Salt Lake City early Sunday morning, Dec 1s, a large menorah was vandalized in front of a Chabad synagogue center:

Around 1 a.m., police were notified that the 6-foot menorah that is on display outside the Chabad Lubavitch of Utah had been vandalized. Three arms had been ripped off the left side, including the wiring that enables the menorah to be lit during Chanukah, according to Rabbi Benny Zippel, executive director of the Chabad Lubavitch of Utah.  Read more at KSL-TV

Yet, on Sunday evening Dec 1st, over 1,000 (mainly orthodox) Jews attended L.A. Chabad of The Valley's 12th annual Chanukah at Universal CityWalk.   Is such an orthodox event in such a public space- too public? Or is such a public expression of orthodox Jewish pride actually good for the Jewish public image?  JooTube interviews Chabad of the San Fernando Valley Rabbis Mayer Greene and Yochanon Baitelman, and Dovid Eliezre (of Orange County Chabad in Yorba Linda) give their views on the event's message to both gentiles and Jews.

 JooTube's video report includes performers Eli Gerstner and the Yeshiva Boys Choir soloists, joined by Yisroel Williger, Moshe Hecht, Yakov Mordechai Gerstner and Yossi Newman. 

Time to Take Back Hanukkah by Ari Soffer, Arutz 7 Managing Editor 

Is Hanukkah a festival or a farce? How many of those who celebrate it appreciate what it's all about? And is it even worth celebrating at all?

The superficial popularity of Hanukkah is a charade. It is not real. In fact, it is precisely the "ease" with which the day can be (at least on a basic, ritualistic level) commemorated which is its downfall - despite the crucial significance it holds. ... 

Hanukkah is actually one of several rabbically-ordained festivals (as recorded in the "Megillat Ta'anit") which took place during the Second Temple period. And yet, whereas all the others were annulled by the sages following the tragic destruction of the Second Temple and onset of exile in 70CE, Hanukkah remained. Why? . . . 

The observance of Hanukkah has morphed into a tragicomic light show. Tragicomic, because so many of those who inanely go through the motions of Hanukkah emphatically reject all, or most, of what it represents in their daily lives. And a mere light show, because without appreciating its core message, that is all that it is.  . . . 

Hanukkah is not just some quaint historical reenactment of a Jewish military victory; and the Maccabean Revolt was not a simple struggle of national liberation - though it was that as well - but rather an ideological struggle between good and evil.   By celebrating the Maccabees' victory we are expressing our solidarity with their values, and its triumph over hellenistic Greek values, with all the latter represented (and still represents). 

Enjoy the complete article

At CityWalk's conclusion last year, British-American ba'al tshuvah, Yehuda Landsman, discussed his perceptions of the holiday in the context of  his Chassidic theology in the world.

Thanksgivukah provides an opportunity to listen to the true story of Chanukah (and its lessons)

Chanukah means "re-dedication" - but to what, why, and how? Rabbi Moshe Parry teaches the little-known but historic story of Chanukah, what it means for you and our people in these times of defending Judaism against its enemies.


Israel Matzav reports that 'Palestinians are destroying priceless archaeological site from Hasmonean times'

The 'Palestinians' are once again attempting to rewrite history, this time through an archaeological dig at the remains of an ancient Hasmonean fortress. 

News of PA digs at the site is particularly of concern given the organization's penchant for rewriting history. In 2011, amid renewed PA digs in Shechem, which the Bible records was bought by Jacob (Yaakov), Hamdan Taha, director of the PA's Department of Antiquities, said the dig would help in “writing or rewriting the history of Palestine.”

The Field School guides discovered the archaeological digging during a trip taken in advance of a walking tour planned for December 6 during Hanukkah. The Field School said Israeli groups have not traveled the area in roughly 20 years.

Given the lack of a mandate for rule and for IDF involvement in Area A, the School said "all that's left is to hope that the findings will be dealt with according to the great importance the site has to the Jewish people."

The Hasmoneans successfully forced the occupying Greek Empire out of Israel and established their own dynasty over 2,000 years ago. Their revolt, sparked by Greek decrees outlawing Judaism, lead to the purification and rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

Regarding the site, representatives from the School explained that Judah Maccabee, a key leader in the uprising, died three years after the Temple was purified. Following his death "the Hellenist Jews together with the Greek army returned to rule over Judea and the gains accomplished by the Hasmonean revolt nearly fell completely. The recovery from this hard setback happened in the Judean desert between Bethlehem and Tekoa at the hill named Beit Betzi."

At the ruins remains of a magnificent fortress from the Hasmonean and Early Roman period were found. According to Dr. David Amit's research in the 1980s the site played a critical role in the Hasmonean struggle against Greek forces.

'Tis the season to try maintain a truthful narrative....

3,000 years of Jewish history in 3 minutes- Orthodox Jewish families celebrate history; rededicate selves to proud faith at Universal CityWalk's public Chanukah concert

3,000 years of Jewish history in 3 minutes- Orthodox Jewish families celebrate history; rededicate selves to proud faith at Universal CityWalk's public Chanukah concert

American-Israeli singer references Jewish history in song - at public Chanukah celebration in Los Angeles, California.


As a result of Yasser Arafat's Palestinian campaign to vilify Israel to stir up dormant Jew-hatred, the number of cities around the world where Orthodox Jews can openly celebrate their holidays and cultural pride is shrinking.

Muslims campaign to distort Jewish and Israeli history for liberal journalists, with a little help from Pres. Obama's Cairo speech to the Muslim world. See how much biblical and modern Jewish history you recognize and know about here - where Schlock Rock's Lenny Solomon parodies Billy Joel's "We didn't start the fire" with "We've got a strong desire" (from the Sgt. Schlocker's Magical Mystery Tour" album) at a Chanukah concert at North Hollywood's Universal CityWalk.

The story of Chanukah and its lessons for today - from Rabbi Moses Parry and entertainer, Matisyahu

Chanukah means "re-dedication" - but to what, why ,and how? Rabbi Moses "Moshe" Parry teaches the history of Chanukah and its lessons for Jewish people today.


The Maccabees (led by Matisyahu and his son Judah) were a small band of rebel fighters who battled against the Greek/Syrian Empire, led by King Antiochus. The name Maccabee is an acronym for the verse, "Mi Chamocha Ba'eilim Hashem" (Exodus 15:11) "Who is like you amongst the supernal beings, O'Lord." This acronym emphasizes that this was not a war fought for land, wealth, or sport. King Antiochus wanted to secularize the Jewish faith and pull focus from G-d and place the emphasis on logic and reason. The Maccabees fought to keep G-d in the equation of Jewish life, and their name reflected that. (Courtesy, songwriter Matisyahu and Simcha Levenberg in HuffPost)

Matisyahu says, "There are so many Christmas songs out there. I wanted to give the Jewish kids something to be proud of. We've got Adam Sandler's song, which is hilarious, but I wanted to try to get across some of the depth and spirituality inherent in the holiday in a fun, celebratory song. My boy Kojak was in town so at the last minute we went into the studio in the spirit of miracles and underdogs and this is what we came up with- the music video of "Matisyahu's Miracle on Ice.""