Mindy Lucas

Hilton Head congregation's 'Night of 100 Menorahs' a 'beautiful' celebration

By MINDY LUCAS

mlucas@islandpacket.com
FILE: Dillon Snelgrove, 4, and Ruth Levy, left, light their family menorahs during the Night of 100 Menorahs at the Sanctuary at Beth Yam Synagogue on Hilton Head Island. The service marked the eighth night of Hanukkah and the seventh year since the previous Rabbi Mark Covitz started the tradition of members bringing their menorahs together in 2002. "It's fun and enjoyable to light them all together in celebration," member Judy Bluestone said.
FILE: Dillon Snelgrove, 4, and Ruth Levy, left, light their family menorahs during the Night of 100 Menorahs at the Sanctuary at Beth Yam Synagogue on Hilton Head Island. The service marked the eighth night of Hanukkah and the seventh year since the previous Rabbi Mark Covitz started the tradition of members bringing their menorahs together in 2002. "It's fun and enjoyable to light them all together in celebration," member Judy Bluestone said. Sarah Welliver The Island Packet

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, begins at sundown Sunday.

Considered a time of renewal and rededication for Jews the world over, Hanukkah commemorates the miracle of the oil found in the ancient temple of Jerusalem.

The holiday is marked by the lighting of the menorah over the course of eight days. Families exchange gifts and prepare foods such as latkes cooked in oil.

"It's a very festive holiday," said Beth Yam member Jack Miller.

The Hilton Head Island-based congregation will celebrate the sixth night of the religious holiday with a "Night of 100 Menorahs" on Dec. 11.

Open to members and non-members alike, the celebration features a traditional service and celebration, singing, a menorah lighting and "oneg" or social gathering featuring homemade latkes.

"It's family oriented," Miller said. "You have the adults there, the kids there and the grandparents, too."

Miller said the lighting of all the menorahs, or the branched candle stands, is especially moving.

Everyone brings their own so participants will see everything from the modest to the ornate. And many are passed down from one generation to the next.

"So you have all these menorahs and they're lit and it's very beautiful," he said.

For those who are not members or who are looking for a new congregation, Miller said Friday's celebration is the perfect time to visit.

"It's a nice place to be during the holiday season to enjoy friendship and the holidays," he said. "You don't have to be a member or be Jewish to really enjoy and appreciate it."

Miller said the congregation already sees quite a few who are visiting or who have retired to the area -- visitors who are often just interested in being part of a community and family-oriented celebration.

"And as I said, it's just a beautiful, beautiful celebration," Miller said.

If You Go

Congregation Beth Yam will celebrate the sixth night of Hanukkah with its "Night of 100 Menorahs" on Dec. 11, at 4501 Meeting St., Hilton Head Island.

Open to members and non-members, the celebration will feature a traditional Chanukah, or Hanukkah service led by Rabbi Brad Bloom beginning at 6 p.m. and featuring Beth Yam's Shabbat choir and student choir.

Participants are invited to bring menorahs with candles for a special lighting.

An "oneg" -- a social gathering -- will follow at 7 p.m. featuring homemade latkes, or potato pancakes.

For more information, call 843-689-2178 or visit www.bethyam.org.

Follow reporter Mindy Lucas on Twitter at twitter.com/MindyatIPBG.

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This story was originally published December 2, 2015 at 11:58 AM with the headline "Hilton Head congregation's 'Night of 100 Menorahs' a 'beautiful' celebration."

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