Beaufort Welcomes the Festival of Lights: Join the Community for a Special Chanukah Celebration!
Beaufort is getting ready to light up this winter season with a joyful celebration of Chanukah! The heartwarming public menorah lighting will take place at the stunning Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park on Thursday, December 26 at 5 p.m. This marks the fourth annual celebration by Chabad Greater Hilton Head and is set to be a memorable event for the whole community!
What Can You Expect?
This year’s celebration promises a delightful evening filled with music, food, and the shimmering light of the menorah. Attendees will enjoy latkes—those delicious potato pancakes—and scrumptious donuts that will surely satisfy your cravings! Not only that, but the event also offers complimentary Chanukah menorahs and candles for everyone. Yes, that’s right! You’ll be equipped to bring the light of Chanukah into your own home!
A Special Message from Rabbi Mendel
Rabbi Mendel, the leader of Chabad Greater Hilton Head, is particularly excited about this year’s celebration amidst the current global climate. “Everyone is especially excited about Chanukah this year. The war in Israel is being fought everywhere, but our defense isn’t guns and bombs—it’s our strength as a community,” he shares. He emphasizes that this festival is about “standing together, supporting one another, and celebrating as we have done for centuries—just like the Maccabees of old.”
Rabbi Mendel adds, “This celebration sends a powerful message: ‘We are here!’ It fills the hearts of everyone with pride and courage.” With the holiday season upon us, people are eagerly preparing to cherish the time spent with family and friends, fostering joy and light during this special occasion.
The Significance of Chanukah
For those who might not know, Chanukah, also referred to as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day celebration that begins this year on the evening of Wednesday, December 25, and concludes on Tuesday, January 2. This festive period commemorates a remarkable chapter in Jewish history when a small group of determined Jewish warriors triumphed over the mighty Syrian-Greeks, reclaiming their religious freedom and the sacred Temple.
After reclaiming the Temple, it is said that only one small jar of sacred oil was found—enough to last just one day. Miraculously, that oil lasted for eight days, giving rise to the tradition of lighting the menorah during Chanukah. This act symbolizes the triumph of freedom over oppression and reminds us that every individual holds the power to bring light into a world that can sometimes feel dark.
A Growing Tradition
The re-energizing of this holiday into a much-celebrated public event is largely due to the campaign initiated by the late Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson in 1973. Under his guidance, lighting public menorahs in communal spaces was encouraged to foster joy and awareness of Chanukah and its profound messages. In Beaufort, this year’s celebration is part of a series of events held by Chabad throughout the South Carolina region, including celebrations in Bluffton and Hilton Head.
Join the Fun!
This highly anticipated public menorah lighting is free and open to everyone, regardless of background or belief. It’s a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community and celebrate the spirit of Chanukah! So, mark your calendars for 5 p.m. Thursday, December 26, and join in the festivities at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park in beautiful Beaufort!
For those interested in learning more or getting involved, feel free to visit jewishhiltonhead.org/beaufort or contact Rabbi Mendel directly at 843-301-1819 or via email at rabbi@jewishhiltonhead.org.
