Edmonton Jewish Seniors’ welcome Chanukah with music and candle lighting

Article by Maxine Fischbein. Photos by Milt Fischbein.

(AJNews) – The weather outside was frightful, but the Chanukah celebration was delightful as the JDIC Jewish Seniors’ Centre in Edmonton welcomed 130 people for a Chanukah celebration on December 18.

Following a warm welcome from the drop-in centre’s Executive Director Svetlana Pavlenko, Rabbi Mendy Blachman, of Chabad-Lubavitch, brought Chanukah greetings beginning on a sombre note as he recalled the devastating Massacre that took place on the first day of Chanukah at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia.

“I’m sure you are all aware of the tragedy that happened starting off this Chanukah,” Rabbi Mendy said, referring to the terrorist mass shooting that claimed the lives of 15 people, among them a Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi, a Holocaust survivor, and a 10-year-old girl.

Rabbi Mendy cited statements by members of the Australian Jewish community whom, he said, “were all in agreement that those who gave up their lives would want the celebration to continue.”

“The spreading of the light should continue on because that’s what’s going to keep us going,” Rabbi Mendy said.

True to those words, Rabbi Mendy spread a little light of his own with the joyous news that he and his wife welcomed a son on the first day of Chanukah and that his bris would take place on the eighth day of the festival.

Other highlights at the Chanukah celebration, expertly stickhandled by longtime JDIC Executive Director Svetlana Pavlenko and her right-hand Luba Allen, included a Chanukah candle lighting led by choir members Judy Goldsand and Sue Winestock, a festive concert by the Young at Heart Seniors’ Choir, and a delicious lunch by Chef Daniella Drisdell.

The multi-generational audience was invited to sing along as the choir gave a spirited performance consisting of Chanukah favourites as well as contemporary tunes under the direction of Choir Director Deanna Clee and accompanied by pianist Elaine Dunbar.

One evocative piece, led by soloist Dr. Jerry Katz, was Har Nevo (Mount Nebo). The song – for which Katz wrote the lyrics and conceived the melody – imagines the plea Moses might have made to God when he told Moses that he would see but never enter the Promised Land.

Katz, who regularly chants the Torah portion during Shabbat services at Beth Shalom Synagogue, says that the Torah portion from Deuteronomy that inspired his soulful song never fails to move him. Interest in performing the song has been expressed by other Canadian choirs, Katz said.

An upbeat crowd-pleaser was the Ladino song Ocho Kandelikas (Eight Little Candles), accompanied by “Ukeladies” Audrey Brooks (tenor ukelele) and Susan Lynch (bass ukelele), both members of the choir.

Young at Heart President Susan Baram urged audience members to consider joining the choir.

“No audition required,” Baram said, urging potential members to “run, not walk to register.”

Speaking of running, rocking, and rolling, Katz had a public service message of his own, urging Centre members and guests to support the 2026 Bagel Loop this spring. The annual fundraiser helps to ensure that Jewish seniors and their allies and friends can continue to enjoy the many services and programs offered by the JDIC.

“So, remember,” said Katz, “give, give, give.”

Sounds like a good hook for a great new song!

For more information about the JDIC Jewish Seniors’ Centre, go to www.jdicseniors.ca

Maxine Fischbein is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter.