In Memory of Eliyahu Moscowitz for the Duration of the Holiday of Chanukah
Chabad of East Rogers Park to light the Menorah where Eliyahu Moscowitz was brutally taken from us sending a message of hope and increasing light
[Rogers Park, Chicago] — Chabad of E Rogers Park will ignite a public 9-foot Chanukah menorah erected at Loyola Park, dedicated to the memory of Eliyahu Moscowitz who was brutally murdered at Loyola Park last month. The lighting will be followed by a community-wide celebration on December 3rd, the 2nd night of the eight-day holiday. The ceremony, organized by Chabad- Rabbi Yoel Wolf, will be joined by the Moscowitz family, local dignitaries and the annual car top Menorah parade organized by Lubavitch Chabad of Illinois. Following the menorah lighting ceremony, hundreds will dance to live music, sing and eat traditional potato latkes and doughnuts.
This comes on the heels of the tragedies which rocked Rogers Park just over a month ago. 2 people were murdered within a span of 36 hours, Douglass Watts, and a member of the West Rogers Park Jewish community, Eliyahu Moscowitz. Chabad East Rogers Park mourns the loss of both of these gentlemen, and through this event, hope to offer our heartfelt condolences and solace to those who grieve,
“Our response is not to hunker down in fear, rather to come out stronger and prouder in celebrating our Judaism in the open. To strengthen our resolve to continue to build and grow, and come together as a community. Dedicating a Menorah in memory of Eliyahu Moscowitz serves as a symbol of Chicago's resolve to preserve and encourage the right and liberty of all its citizens to worship G‑d freely, openly, and with pride.” said Rabbi Wolf.
“The message of Chanukah is the message of light,” added Rabbi Wolf. “The nature of light is that it is always victorious over darkness. A small amount of light dispels a lot of darkness. Another act of goodness and kindness, another act of light, can make all the difference.”
For more information about Chanukah visit www.Chanukah.Chabaderp.com.
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EVENT RECAP:
- What: Giant Menorah Lighting
- Where: Loyola Park
- When: December 3, at 7:00pm
- Cost: Free of charge
ABOUT CHANUKAH
Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, begins this year on the evening of Sunday, December 2 and concludes the evening of Monday, December 10. It recalls the victory of a militarily weak Jewish people who defeated the Syrian Greeks who had overrun ancient Israel and sought to impose restrictions on the Jewish way of life and prohibit religious freedom. They also desecrated and defiled the Temple and the oils prepared for the lighting of the menorah, which was part of the daily service. Upon recapturing the Temple only one jar of undefiled oil was found, enough to burn only one day, but it lasted miraculously for eight. In commemoration, Jews celebrate Chanukah for eight days by lighting an eight-branched candelabrum known as a menorah. Today, people of all faiths consider the holiday a symbol and message of the triumph of freedom over oppression, of spirit over matter, of light over darkness. Chabad popularized celebrating Chanukah with public Menorah's around the world. Additional information about the Chanukah holiday is available at www.Chanukah.Chabaderp.com.
ABOUT THE SPONSORING ORGANIZATION
Chabad of E Rogers Park offers Jewish education, outreach and social service programming for families and individuals of all ages, backgrounds and affiliations. For more information, contact Rabbi Yoel Wolf, at 773-326-8210 and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit chabaderp.com.
