Article published Dec 30, 2005
By ANDREW TUTINO
Journal Staff
ITHACA - Carol Rubenstein came to Center Ithaca on Thursday to hear the music.
She wanted to hear the sounds of Klezmer music, the traditional instrumental music of Eastern European Jews commonly performed at religious ceremonies.
On Hanukkah's fifth day, Rubenstein was joined by more than 50 people who came for a celebration and special menorah lighting ceremony that featured traditional Jewish foods and music.
“It is very moving to me to be among a group of Jews as if we are all at home,” Rubenstein said. “I like to see the candles lit and be among a group of Jews for a change. I want to hear the music. I seldom hear the sounds of Jewish culture. To me, it has a special joy.”
The ceremony began with Rabbi Eli Silberstein and Jeremy Pletter, 14, lighting the special menorah in Center Ithaca's upper atrium. Silberstein has lit the candles for each day of Hanukkah, which began last Sunday and ends this Sunday.
Afterward, Joel Rubin and Cornell's Klezmer Ensemble performed music and people snacked on traditional Hanukkah foods like jelly doughnuts and potato latkes.
“I am quite surprised with the turnout,” said Silberstein, who runs the Chabad House, a Jewish educational organization at Cornell. He added that he was impressed people took time out of busy schedules and vacations to attend Thursday's celebration.
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, celebrates a miracle that occurred in Jerusalem thousands of years ago when Jews conquered Greek oppressors and reclaimed their temple in 165 B.C.E. They found a flask that contained only enough oil to light the menorah for one day as they rededicated their temple. Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days and this gave them enough time to obtain new oil to keep the menorah lit.
Jon Raimon said he brought his daughter, Rohannah, 5, to Thursday's event to share in the religious celebration.
“It is nice to share our traditions with the community,” Raimon said. “We came to hear good music and see the celebration of lights.”
Pletter said he enjoyed the ceremony.
“It is nice to come down and celebrate the holidays with your friends,” he said. “Plus everyone likes doughnuts.”
By ANDREW TUTINO
Journal Staff
ITHACA - Carol Rubenstein came to Center Ithaca on Thursday to hear the music.
She wanted to hear the sounds of Klezmer music, the traditional instrumental music of Eastern European Jews commonly performed at religious ceremonies.
On Hanukkah's fifth day, Rubenstein was joined by more than 50 people who came for a celebration and special menorah lighting ceremony that featured traditional Jewish foods and music.
“It is very moving to me to be among a group of Jews as if we are all at home,” Rubenstein said. “I like to see the candles lit and be among a group of Jews for a change. I want to hear the music. I seldom hear the sounds of Jewish culture. To me, it has a special joy.”
The ceremony began with Rabbi Eli Silberstein and Jeremy Pletter, 14, lighting the special menorah in Center Ithaca's upper atrium. Silberstein has lit the candles for each day of Hanukkah, which began last Sunday and ends this Sunday.
Afterward, Joel Rubin and Cornell's Klezmer Ensemble performed music and people snacked on traditional Hanukkah foods like jelly doughnuts and potato latkes.
“I am quite surprised with the turnout,” said Silberstein, who runs the Chabad House, a Jewish educational organization at Cornell. He added that he was impressed people took time out of busy schedules and vacations to attend Thursday's celebration.
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, celebrates a miracle that occurred in Jerusalem thousands of years ago when Jews conquered Greek oppressors and reclaimed their temple in 165 B.C.E. They found a flask that contained only enough oil to light the menorah for one day as they rededicated their temple. Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days and this gave them enough time to obtain new oil to keep the menorah lit.
Jon Raimon said he brought his daughter, Rohannah, 5, to Thursday's event to share in the religious celebration.
“It is nice to share our traditions with the community,” Raimon said. “We came to hear good music and see the celebration of lights.”
Pletter said he enjoyed the ceremony.
“It is nice to come down and celebrate the holidays with your friends,” he said. “Plus everyone likes doughnuts.”
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