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Honoring Jewish Festival Of Lights

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By SARAH ROTHWELL, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 12, 2007

Updated: 12/10/2007 05:33 pm

UNIVERSITY AREA - David Martin's face lit up with joy when the James A. Haley VA Medical Center's Hanukkah celebration began Thursday.

Martin, a Marine Corps veteran, listened intently as students from the Hillel School of Tampa sang songs celebrating the Jewish Festival of Lights.

"I've waited every day for this," Martin said, tearing up. "It's like being with family."

The annual holiday celebration took place at the medical center's nursing home, where Martin has lived since 1994. About 30 people, including residents, friends, volunteers and speakers, attended the event. Helene Geller from Temple Ohev Shalom provided the guests with homemade potato latkes and Rabbi Mordecai Levy delivered a holiday message.

"Hanukkah is a joyous celebration of the historical events that continued the freedom of the Israelites," Levy said. "Today, we'll have singing, the lighting of the lights and traditional foods."

Levy is both the rabbi at Temple Ohev Shalom, 6460 Tampa Palms Blvd., and the Jewish chaplain at the medical center, 13000 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. He considers working with veterans a privilege and dedicates as much time to the hospital as possible. There are eight Jewish residents at the nursing home. Many struggle with health problems.

"Sometimes it's difficult, but it's worthwhile," Levy said. "I am able to visit the veterans and give them an opportunity to express their Jewish beliefs."

At the celebration, Levy spoke about Hanukkah's origins.

"When the Maccabees came to the Jewish temple that had been destroyed, they used pure oil to rekindle the light and save the temple. That's why we celebrate by lighting candles," he said.

Hillel student Mallory Wood was excited to help share the message. During the students' performance, Wood portrayed a dreidel. She cheerfully explained the pictures on each side of the classic toy, hopping around to illustrate her point.

She didn't mind taking time out from school to volunteer.

"A lot of the veterans don't get to go home, and it's important they get to celebrate, too," she said.

Volunteers Janice and Richard Silver led the veterans in a prayer. Janice Silver then lighted the Menorah. She struggled with the matches at first, but with time lighted three gleaming candles to represent the two Hanukkah nights passed and one to be later that evening.

The veterans looked on as Geller and helpers served latkes with sour cream and applesauce. They also provided fruit punch.

Army veteran Clifton Thomas enjoyed the program and ceremonies.

"It was something different, and I liked all of it," he said, preparing to eat a latke.

Fried foods are an important Hanukkah tradition.

"All the foods are fried in pure oil, which represents the oil used by the Maccabees," Levy said.

As the celebration came to a close, Martin ate his latkes with a smile.

"They're good," he said. "This is my home. Having this here is great."

Sarah Rothwell can be reached at (813) 865-4845 or srothwell @mediageneral.com.

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