SBR Shalom Club celebrates the Festival of Lights

Kim Schweitzer

On December 4, over 35 members of the Ranch’s Shalom Club celebrated the holiday of Chanukah together at a party at the home of Sherry and Steve Weiss. Candles were lit on the menorah and all feasted on a lavish buffet of traditional holiday food prepared by guests.

A fun gift exchange grab bag was presided over by Sherry Weiss and everyone left with a gift and the warm feeling of sharing the holiday with friends and neighbors.

Known as the Festival of Lights, Chanukah, a joyous celebration of family and freedom, lasts for eight days. At what is the coldest, darkest time of the year for many people, we celebrate by bringing light and warmth into our homes, into our communities and into the world around us. Chanukah commemorates a military victory in 165 B.C. of the Jewish Maccabees over the Syrian army. After the victory, the Maccabees rededicated their temple by lighting an ‘eternal flame’. There was just enough oil to burn for one day, but miraculously the oil lasted for eight days and that is why on each of the eight nights of Chanukah, candles are lit on the menorah.

Latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts), foods cooked in oil, are customarily eaten during Chanukah to commemorate the miracle of the oil that lasted for eight days.

The Shalom Club is dedicated to the enrichment of Jewish life for SaddleBrooke Ranch residents.

Our goal is to create a warm and welcoming environment in our community that builds strong lifelong relationships, celebrates together and supports each other in times of need.

All are welcome. For more information contact Sherry Weiss at [email protected].