'I see the outpouring of love around here, and there's always room for more'

Rabbi Berel lights a menorah to celebrate Chanukah (Provided)

DURHAM - Rabbi Berel Slavaticki gets a lot of news out of Israel these days, but one story he read about shows the resilience and determination of the Jewish people even amid the scourge of what happened on Oct. 7 and the resulting war against the terrorist group Hamas.
"There was a story that some people in Israel rounded up a bunch of Hamas missiles that had fallen near their town and turned them into a giant menorah," he said on Friday. "That is what we do, we take the darkness and make it light."
Chanukah, alternatively spelled Hanukkah, is also known as the Festival of Light, which "celebrates religious freedom and the survival of the Jewish people," he said.
Unlike some cities across America that have shut down or downplayed Chanukah and Christmas celebrations due to anti-Israel rallies and sentiment displayed nationwide, Rabbi Berel said the opposite is happening on the Seacoast.
"Everyone is calling me, including many non-Jewish people and organizations, to ask me where can they get Chanukah decorations to show their support for Israel," Rabbi Berel noted. "And they have bought a lot of decorations. It's a beautiful thing."
He called the attacks of Oct. 7 that left some 1,400 Israelis dead "devastating, tragic and shocking," adding, "But we as Jewish people have enemies who always want to destroy us."
Rabbi Berel heads up the Seacoast Chabad Jewish Center in Durham, where he says it has pained him to see UNH students holding Pro-Palestinian and anti-Jewish rallies.
"We have had some small rallies that were organized by off-campus groups," he said, but added that when he talks to UNH students, they show little grasp of what the Israeli-Arab conflict is all about.
"When I talk to some students I see in five minutes they are very uneducated," he said. "For them it's just a thing to say. It's very sad to see, I think a lot of it has to do with education."
Even with all the heartache over the slaughter of innocents on Oct. 7 and the handwringing over the continuing hostage crisis, Rabbi Beril vowed the Jewish people would stay positive and at peace.
"Most people understand this is good versus evil, light versus darkness," he said. "We focus on the light and love, and I see the outpouring of love around here, And there's always room for more."
Chanukah began on Thursday and runs through next Friday.

Seacoast Chabad Jewish Center events for Chanukah
1. Chanukah at The Mall and Gelt Drop
Thursday, Dec 7th, 4:00 pm at Fox Run Mall (In Front of Men's Macy's)
Donuts Dreidles Gelt Crafts
Highlighting a 75 ft drop followed by grand Chanukah Festival inside.
2. Chanukah Musical Havdalah & Kumzits
Saturday, Dec 9, 6:00 pm at the Jewish Community Center, 2299 Woodbury Ave, Newington, NH 03824
Experience the warmth of Chanukah with musical performances by James Prendergast & Guy Ben David!
3. the popular Chanukah on Ice - LIGHT UP Portsmouth
Sunday, December 10, 2:00 pm at the Strawbery Banke Museum - Labrie Family Skate
Skate to Jewish Music, Lighting a Giant Menorah
Donuts & Chocolate Gelt, Arts and Crafts, Hot Coffee & more!
Cost: $5 per person | Skates available for rent $6. RSVP required.
4. UNH Chanukah Party
When: Monday, Dec 11th, 6:30 pm
Where: MUB Room 164
Why: Join us for a festive evening including a Grand Dreidel Game and the opportunity to decorate your own donut.
5. Annual Car Menorah Parade
Wednesday, December 14, 2:00 pm Leaving from the Seacoast Jewish Center
Police Escort, Drive a car and make history
Followed by a menorah lighting at the Jewish center. Fun for the whole family
To RSVP: JewishSeacoast.com/Parade
6. Chanukah Adult Party
Thursday, Dec 14, 7:00 pm at the Jewish Community Center, 2299 Woodbury Ave, Newington, NH 03801
Buffet. Open bar. Latkes. Donuts. Music
Cost: $36 | Sponsorship Available
To register to any of our Chanukah events and more information visit JewishSeacoast.com/Chanukah2023