December 29: Lighting the Giant Chanukkiah at the Alberta Legislature

By Regan Lipes

(AJNews) – What Edmonton Chanukah celebration would be complete without the annual lighting of Alberta’s tallest Chanukkiah by Chabad Lubavitcher Rabbi, Ari Drelich atop an intimidatingly high cherry-picker crane. This will mark the 33rd Chanukah that Rabbi Drelich takes to the sky for this yearly community-wide celebration. On December 29, Chabad Lubavitch of Edmonton and the Jewish Federation of Edmonton will join forces to bring light to the Provincial Legislature with both indoor and outdoor programming.

Guests are to assemble in the Legislature Rotunda at 4 pm and are encouraged to take the opportunity to have a selfie-moment with dignitaries from local, provincial, and federal governments. Attendees will be greeted by Edmonton’s own Motty Drelich, the former host of Now Radio. Greetings on behalf of the Jewish Federation of Edmonton will be delivered by Dough Wolch, followed by a politician who is no stranger to the Edmonton Jewish community: Speaker of the House, Nathan Cooper. Cooper has yet to miss a public event in support of the Jewish community since October 7, and continues to raise awareness of antisemitism while advocating for Israel and the safe return of hostages. Always a delight, the Talmud Torah Choir will perform led by the talented Ben Ragosin. Mayor Amarjeet Sohi will provide his good wishes for the Jewish people of Edmonton, followed by longtime supporter of the community Edmonton McClung MLA Lorne Dach.

A true treat will be the musical talents of young rising star Moshe Blachman accompanied by Dudy Drelich: a cannot miss performance to be sure. Next, MP Kelly McCauley will convey warm Chanukah wishes for the community. And before emcee Motty invites the crowd to gather outside for the official Chanukiah lighting, Rabbi Drelich will deliver closing remarks, prayers that the world be soon filled with light and not darkness, and a wish for a healthy and happy Chanukah-season for all. Those who attended last year’s lighting will remember Rabbi Drelich’s profoundly moving speech: sentiments that resonate even now.

Every year the crowd watches in awe as Rabbi Drelich adorns safety equipment and climbs into the cherry-picker: “Hit it Johnny!” he always says, signaling the same crane operator that attends every year to raise him high up into the shy. Rabbi Drelich is equipped with a microphone to broadcast the brucha while lighting, but he hardly needs it. Onlookers hoist children onto their shoulders and all delight in the magical dazzle of light.

Following this, what Jewish event would be complete without good nosh. Latkes and sufganiyot, dreidels and gelt, smiles and memories: cold or not, it will be a must attend community event.  For more information, attendees are encouraged to reach out with their questions: Chabad@shaw.ca.

Regan Lipes is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter