Greater Vancouver Jewish Federation urges kindness ahead of Hanukkah

Hanukkah starts on Thursday, and the head of the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver is encouraging kindness this year.

Ezra Shanken says, with the Israel-Hamas war happening overseas, this year feels especially important when it comes to showing grace to those around you.

“I think we’re feeling physically that we need light here in this community,” he said. “This holiday is more important than it’s ever been for the community.”

“Also standing up for really being able to be safe here as Jews … that’s so important at this time of the year.”

Shanken says the local Jewish community would like to use the holiday as a way to deal with pain and advocate for a space within society.

“Hanukkah is also a story about religious freedom, it is also a story about triumph over adversity … it’s a story that is really important in these in these moments right now when so many Jews feel so unsafe within their own communities,” he said.

Shanken tells CityNews that his ideal Hanukkah gift would be for people to denounce violent and hateful activity within the community.

“It’s time for us to find a civil way of dealing with things that are difficult within our society,” he added.

“If we don’t start drawing some lines, regardless of what’s happening, the behavior is going to continue to get worse and worse.”

Those looking to celebrate the holiday in Vancouver can look to a special Hanukkah menorah lighting ceremony on Thursday dubbed “Light the Night.”

The event takes place at 6 p.m. at the Vancouver Art Gallery.

With files from Cole Schisler