Doylestown Celebrates Last Day Of Hanukkah At The Giant Dreidel

DOYLESTOWN, PA — Doylestown Borough celebrated the last day of Hanukkah on Sunday afternoon with donuts, games, and dancing in the streets at the Giant Dreidel.

Temple Judea, in partnership with Kehilat HaNahar (The Little Shul by the River), brought the afternoon of fun to downtown Doylestown where youngsters formed a human menorah, colored pictures and danced to songs played by a guest deejay.

Temple Judea’s newly installed Rabbi Andrew Sklarz welcomed the gathering on a windy and cold afternoon. “We are spreading the light together,” he said.

State Senator Steve Santarsiero wished everyone a happy Hanukkah and spoke about the season of light.

“This is the commemoration of an event in the history of the Jewish people. But for those of us living today, it is more of a symbol of the light that resides within each of us and which we are called upon to spread throughout the world. And we live no doubt in a time that requires that light more than any other time in our lives.”

The senator said there had been questions over whether a public gathering was a good idea following the mass shooting during a Hanukkah celebration in Australia just days before and the rise in anti-semitism around the world.

Youngsters form a human menorah at the event. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Holding up their menorah candles.

Donuts and hot chocolate were the order of the afternoon. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

“I think it’s important that we did,” said Santarsiero. “It’s important that we show the world that we are here, and that as the Jewish people have for millennia, be the witness to that light, and to spread it throughout the world. And to spread compassion for all people so we can be that force for tikkun olam in our community, in our state, in our country and in this world. Let that be our prayer.”

State Rep. Tim Brennan thanked the borough of Doylestown and the synagogues for bringing the festival to the heart of town.

“This is a time when people of good will see that with perseverance there will always be light, there will always be opportunity, there will always be beauty in our future.”

Councilman Larry Browne thanked the officers from Central Bucks Regional who were on hand to provide safety for the event. He also shared remarks from Mayor Noni West who was under the weather and could not attend.

“Freedom of religion is not something we can take for granted, especially today when it requires our active commitment to respect one another’s traditions, to stand against hatred in all forms and to ensure that everyone feels safe and are welcome in expressing who they are," said Browne reading from the mayor’s remarks.

“Here in Doylestown, we are proud to celebrate diversity as a strength,” Browne continued. “When we gather at this dreidel we affirm that freedom lives not only in laws but in how we show up for one another. May the celebration be filled with light, laughter and the enduring reminder that faith, hope and freedom always belong at the center of community life.”

The event was supported by a grant from the Bucks County Kehillah. Representing the Kehillah at the event was Shelley Rappaport of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia.