The lighting of a menorah at City Hall on Nov. 28 marked the start of Hanukkah festivities in Ottawa, a symbol of light and hope for the Jewish community after several instances of anti-Semitism rocked them earlier this fall.
The ceremony was organized by the Chabad Student Network of Ottawa to mark the eight days of celebration. It was a long-awaited in-person moment for a crowd of around 200.
Several speakers highlighted that the gathering in person was more important than ever.
In his speech, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson condemned these acts stating that “we’ve seen the best in people … our frontline workers … and we’ve seen the nasty, sad, hateful side … when we see swastikas going up.”
Anti-Semitic posters were put up in and around a west Ottawa skatepark and other locations in the west end in early November. Additionally, anti-Semitic graffiti was sprayed onto City Hall and the nearby Elgin Street courthouse, close to where the lighting took place. Earlier this fall during the federal election, swastikas were sprayed onto Ottawa Liberal candidate Marie-France Lalonde’s campaign posters.
In a press release on Nov. 16th, the Ottawa Police Hate and Bias Crime Unit stated they are “seeking the public’s help in identifying a suspect pertaining to this Hate motivated Mischief investigation,” after a suspect was caught on CCTV footage. On Dec. 8, they announced a man had been arrested and charged with hate motivated mischief.
Andrea Freedman, the president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa, said seeing anti-Semitism in the Ottawa community was disheartening, but was happy to rally together with the community.
“It’s great, it’s great to be all together. It’s fantastic to be able to light the menorah at City Hall and to really just be a light into the darkness,” she said.
Despite these acts, the Jewish community remained optimistic about Hanukkah celebrations this year, especially because they are able to gather in-person again. Many at Sunday’s lighting expressed their excitement at being able to celebrate with friends and family in-person again.
Children danced and people sang, latkes and donuts were passed out, and mini menorahs were on sale, particularly for university students who may be spending their first Hanukkah away from home.
Second year Carleton University student Lindsay Cogan was glad to be able to gather in person this year.
“Last year Hanukkah was obviously very different and we couldn’t see people”, she said.
She said seeing anti-Semitism in the community was difficult for her, especially following a year of virtual gatherings within the community where they weren’t able to gather in solidarity in person.
“We couldn’t see people and so it’s really nice having Jewish holidays back in person again this year,” she said.
The celebrations also marked the passing of Rabbi Reuben Bulka in June from pancreatic cancer with a video tribute. The Ottawa Jewish community is experiencing its first Hanukkah without him.
Watson encouraged the crowd to live in kindness as Rabbi Bulka did all his life.
Nine more menorahs were lit throughout Ottawa over the eight days of Hanukkah, all were meant to spread a message of light and strength.
