More than 100 members of Barrie’s Jewish community gathered at city hall on Dec. 15 for the lighting of a new 12-foot menorah marking Hanukkah.
Rabbi Mendel Nakkar of the Chabad Jewish Centre of Barrie led the event and told the crowd the new menorah was especially important to display in the wake of the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks in Israel and the subsequent rise in antisemitism in Canada and around the world.
“This is a product of something that was extremely negative that happened on Oct. 7,” he said.
“After that happened, we said we must increase our lights, we cannot hide, we must have a new memorial — let us take the strength of this holiday.”
On Oct. 7, Hamas launched a large-scale attack on Israel that killed nearly 1,200 people, the majority of whom were Jewish civilians and members of Israel’s security forces. Since then, Jewish advocacy organizations and police services in Canada and other countries have reported an increase in antisemitic incidents.
Rabbi Mendel said it was important to celebrate Hanukkah publicly as a community.
“We’re able to celebrate right here in city hall — in a public location to celebrate the holiday of Hanukah together,” he said.
Several dignitaries spoke at the gathering, including Mayor Alex Nuttall, local MP John Brassard, police chief Rich Johnston, fire chief Kevin White and representatives from MP Doug Shipley’s and MPP Andrea Khanjin’s offices.
Nuttall said seeing so many members of the local Jewish community come together during uncertain times demonstrates strength and determination.
“The ability to come together and still be able to celebrate light over darkness is not something that every person in the world can do,” he said.
“It takes an immense sense of perseverance and strength to be able to carry on in the midst of what we see today.”
Nuttall said a senior staffer in his office, Nick Stacey, drove for a full day to retrieve the menorah from across the Canada-U.S. border to ensure it was ready for the event.
Johnston told the crowd that local police support the Jewish community and that everyone should feel a sense of belonging in the city.
“I leave you all with this: there are some people here who do not feel safe or secure. This is your city and this is your community,” he said.
“Know that you are part of this community, that we care about you and that we’re not going anywhere. Be loud, be proud of who you are, because you make this a better place just by being here.”
Following the lighting of the menorah, Rabbi Mendel presented the mayor with a gift of thanks. Attendees were then invited to share food and drinks. The city plans to display the new menorah on Barrie’s waterfront each year during Hanukkah.
