How Barrie is celebrating Hanukkah and Kwanzaa

Rabbi Zev Kaplan (far right) lighting the grand hanukkiah at Town Hall along with Town officials for the fourth night of Hannukah in Innisfil, Ont., on Sun., Dec. 10, 2023 (Source: Chabad Innisfil/Supplied)

While many were opening the last of their Christmas gifts Wednesday night, the Jewish communities in Barrie and Simcoe County were lighting the first Hanukkah candle and gearing up for eight days of festivities.

Here are some of the noteworthy events that took place and that are set to take place across the region for the Jewish Festival of Lights.

“Celebrating Hanukkah is a potent point of light, Jewish pride and confidence for Canadian Jews in the fight against darkness and antisemitism,” said Rabbi Mendel Nakkar from Chabad Jewish Centre of Barrie in a media release this week. "The celebration of Hanukkah underscores the God endowed liberty that is at the heart of what Canada represents.”

This year’s holiday season marks the first time in almost two decades that Christmas Day coincided with the first night of Hanukkah, the last of which was in 2005. The last time Christmas Eve and the first night of Hanukkah overlapped was in 2016.

Boxing Day Thursday also marked the beginning of the African American celebration of Kwanzaa, which runs until January 1st. UPlift Black and other local partners will be holding a Newcomer Night Kwanzaa Edition event at 12 Dunlop Street East in Barrie Friday evening.

With files from CTV’s Cheryl Browne.