Community update: 36th Annual Calgary Community Menorah Lighting will be held Dec. 30

by Rabbi Menachem and Rochel Matusof and Lisa Libin

(Calgary) – Over the past few weeks Rabbi and Mrs. Matusof have met with Mayor Gondek regarding her desire to participate in this year’s community menorah lighting on Monday, December 30. We are pleased to inform you that the Mayor will be in attendance and supporting the 36th Annual Calgary Community Menorah Lighting, this year, with the theme of: UNITED IN ILLUMINATING THE WORLD – SUPPORTING ISRAEL!

Both Chabad Lubavitch of Alberta who are the sponsors and organizers of this Community Menorah Lighting, and Calgary Jewish Federation, have worked closely in dealing with this situation, and are united in sharing this announcement of unity in our extended community. The program and event will remain the same as previous years as will our support for Israel.

We know that this announcement may come with mixed feelings and understand and appreciate the hurt that we all felt and continue to feel about what happened last year. Many are expecting and are awaiting an explicit apology. Please understand that light and action are clearly louder than words and we welcome the Mayor’s action and support for this year’s upcoming event. We hope, ask, and encourage everyone to be united in welcoming her as our Mayor alongside other important delegates in attendance in the spirit of UNITING IN LIGHT OVER DARKNESS.

The event, as always, will continue to be a family and community Chanukah celebration with music, a Chanukah oriented children’s program, greetings from community leaders and dignitaries, a prize draw of an Israel Bond Certificate for two children, and of course, a continued focus and prayers for the well-being and safety of our people in our holy land of Israel – including the return of the 100 still kidnapped (may they reunite with their families even earlier than Chanukah).

We also wish to welcome and thank Alberta’s Premier Danielle Smith who will be joining us and celebrating Chanukah with us this year.

We also thank all our allies, leaders, and community members who came forward with full support last year when it was so needed. We invite and encourage everyone to attend and participate in this peaceful and community celebration – Am Yisrael Chai!

Rabbi Menachem and Rochel Matusof are Directors of Chabad of Alberta and Lisa Libin is President of Calgary Jewish Federation.