REGINA — Regina's Jewish community was on hand outside the Saskatchewan Legislature on Tuesday night for the 14th annual Chanukah Celebration at the legislature.
The event featured the lighting of a giant 20-foot menorah erected in front of the legislature that evening. The celebration was organized by the Chabad Jewish Centre of Regina.
The ceremonies drew a strong crowd that included several dignitaries, among them members of the Saskatchewan Legislature.
While speeches were held inside the legislature building, the highlight of the evening took place outdoors, as equipment lifted Premier Scott Moe and Rabbi Avrohom Simmonds to light the first three candles of the menorah.
Those in attendance were mindful of tragic events that occurred a few days earlier, following a massacre at a menorah lighting at Bondi Beach in Australia.
At the Regina event, Rabbi Simmonds addressed that incident, saying "our response, the only one we know, is we do not to negotiate with darkness and evil. We ignite light, spread love and kindness, and we watch the darkness disappear into oblivion."
"This is how we respond, brighter, stronger and prouder of who we are. And we couldn't be prouder than looking around the crowd tonight and seeing the number of people that showed up to stand with us shoulder to shoulder in these difficult times to increase in light and goodness and kindness."
