LIHU‘E — The Jewish Community of Kaua‘i celebrated Hanukkah in person for the first time in two years Saturday, with an evening of latkes and many menorahs at St. Michael &All Angels’ Episcopal Church.
The community, which has enjoyed the church as its “synagogue-in-residence” for the past 30 years, only recently resumed in-person events after the coronavirus pandemic put them on hold.
“I’m excited, first of all, to see everyone, to actually enjoy latkes with everyone, and to really be together to celebrate this festival of light,” the synagogue’s Rabbi Rob Kvidt said before delivering a short service to a projected gathering of 70 congregants and visitors.
Last year, Kvidt and his congregation found ways to observe Hanukkah and other holidays over Zoom.
“The technology was like this oil that kept on going and going, to help get us through that time until we could start meeting again,” Kvidt said, tracing a line to the oil that miraculously lasted eight days, a symbol at the center of Hanukkah.
Now that time has come.
Kvidt’s husband, Jeff Tucker, said it’s good to be back.
“It’s exciting to see the interest in the community and visitors,” Tucker said from the kitchen, where 400 latkes (potato pancakes) and trays of kugel were being prepared by Mi Va Mi Kaua‘i, a new catering company helmed by congregant Reouven Barzalai.
“I think it’s kind of similar to travel: there’s this big, pent-up demand to do things in person,” Tucker continued. “I know I’m totally burned out on Zoom, It’s so impersonal.”
The Hanukkah party operated with social distancing and mask-on policies, both indoors and out.
Kvidt noted that COVID-19 was top of mind during the in-person festivities.
“The human body is very precious, a wondrous gift from God, and we need to take care of it. We need to take care of each other,” he said. “That’s why we’re asking everyone to be safe and still enjoy the season.”
Attendees, many of whom have known each other for years, were thrilled to reconnect on the penultimate night of Hanukkah.
Laura Barzalai, wife of Reouven, was among the event’s planners. She looked forward to the rabbi’s in-person service and the party that followed, as guests began to arrive at 5 p.m.
“It’s lovely, because we’re all very close. We’ve raised our children together,” Laura Barzalai said. “You see these kids growing up and we celebrate Hanukkah together every year, and we’ve really missed that.”
The eighth and final night of Hanukkah is today.
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Scott Yunker, reporter, can be reached at 245-0437 or syunker@thegardenisland.com.
Happy Holidays! The festival of light is so relevant today. Covid-19 and the pandemic quarantines are one reason. The other reasons are an onslaught of political denials of Constitutional Rights and legislation that undeniably target half of our population; the women of America, and nationwide legislation preventing non-Republican voters from voting with the same ease as Republicans. These are days of darkness in America that should be filled with the light of each individual’s light of hope for a future of equality and Democratic freedoms. America must keep the light of hope for a duration unknown. Thank you for the heritage of hope and equality signified in the light of Hanukkah.
Hau’oli Hanukaha!