Not so long ago, lighting the Jewish Menorah in public could get a Jew ridiculed, ostracized, jailed or much worse.
"How wonderful that in a country like Canada, we can practice our faith openly," said Rabbi Yechiel Baitelman, of Chabad of Richmond.
On Wednesday, Baitelman lit the large metal Menorah at Richmond City Hall to signify the beginning of the annual eight-day Jewish festival of Hanukkah. (In Hebrew, Hannukkah means dedication).
Also known as the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah commemorates the re-dedication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, at the time of the Maccabean Revolt during the 2nd century BCE - 2,300 years ago.
It is highlighted by the illumination of the Menorah each night of the holiday.
"In ancient times our ancestors rededicated the Temple in Jerusalem with the Menorah," he said, adding light represents warmth, safety, friendship and togetherness. "Today, we rededicate ourselves to making this world a better and brighter place.
"In lighting the eight-branch Menorah, it reminds us of the power of light, goodness and kindness." In other words, Baitelman said, "Hannukah publicizes the universal message that ultimately good will prevail over evil, freedom over oppression and light over darkness."
The Rabbi said that children and some adults often ask him if Hanukkah is like Christmas.
Although the two religious holidays have some similarities - both begin on the 25th day, but on different calendars, have lights as a central theme and involve gift giving - Hanukkah predates Christmas.
"Hanukkah happened 400 years before the birth of Jesus Christ," he added.
In its Hanukkah outreach campaign, Chabad of Richmond joins thousands of Chabad centres across the globe that are staging similar public displays of the Menorah and its symbolic lights.
Whereas most Jewish celebrations are held privately in synagogues throughout the world, Hanukkah is a very public one in many countries around the world.
This is the 13th year Baitelman has publicly lit the Menorah, in part to educate Jews and non-Jews about this important cultural celebration.
One of the reasons, said Baitelman, is to spread the miracle and message of Hanukkah.
Originally from New York, Baitelman immigrated to Canada on his religious teacher's urging.
"I moved here 18 years ago because my teacher encourages his students to inspire and teach the ABC's of Judaism.
"I heeded the call and landed here in Richmond."
The Rabbi will celebrate Hanukkah with his wife and seven children, six boys and new baby daughter, ranging in age from three months to 18.
During Hanukkah, children receive gelt (money) from parents and relatives either once or everyday of the eight-day celebration.
"I give my children Hanukkah gelt every single day (over eight days)," Baitelman said. "Giving them money is a wonderful learning tool. They learn about responsibility and giving back."
Since it is traditional that Jews give 10 per cent of their income to charity, the Rabbi will encourage his children to ask themselves "how much of their gelt will they give away."
Meanwhile, the Rabbi estimates that in Richmond there is approximately 4,500 Jews.
This year, many Richmond Jewish families will have a special Hanukkah celebration on Saturday night. Many in his congregation will spend the evening eating traditional foods and playing a customary game of dreidel - a popular children's game. A dreidel, Baitelman explained, is a four-sided spinning top with a Hebrew letter on each side.
"During Hanukkah, the children bet on which letter will be showing when the dreidel stops," he said. "Children usually play for gelt."
They will also celebrate by eating special foods traditionally made with olive oil (like potato pancakes called latkes and donuts).
