Chanukah starts today

Today is the first day of Hanukkah and Rabbi Yehuda Lorber wants everyone to know it.

Rabbi Lorber has been spreading the message of Judaism for a couple years now with a mobile worship center. By day, the native of New York City is an educator at Ohr Temimim School in Amherst.

Niagara Falls once had a thriving Jewish community but today has only a few remnants. The last remaining Temple is on Ashland Avenue and is owned by a member of the Jewish community.

At 5 p.m. today, on Goat Island, Rabbi Lorber and community leaders will be lighting a Menorah. The 8 candles of the Menorah represent the 8 days a single day’s oil lasted in a Menorah during a very trying time.

In addition to lighting the Menorah, Hanukkah is observed with tradition foods, most commonly latkes (potato pancakes) but also Sufganiyot, a kind of donut.

In a time when evil sometimes comes to the fore as it did in Sydney, Australia, Rabbi Lorber said the most important thing is to turn toward the light. The Rabbi who was murdered attended school with Rabbi Lorber's wife. His brother in law ran for cover.

"Light and darkness," Rabbi Lorber said. "No matter how hard they try to stop us we are just going to work to prove them wrong. It is real. It is forces of evil and darkness. You don't chase away darkness with a stick but rather by adding in more light.

If you want more information, attend the event today or email rabbi@chabadniagarafallsusa.com