The events were designed to bring together both secular and religious residents, of all ages, to experience the Chanukah customs and traditions together.

On Friday night, there was a candle lighting ceremony, Kabbalat Shabbat service, a festive Shabbat meal and a fascinating forum on the subject of:  “Weston, Israeli and Jewish Culture – Can they Co-exist?”  In attendance were Mayor Nahum Hofree, Deputy Mayor and Director of Informal Education Aryeh Freidman; Stars of the “Serugim” TV series, Amos Taman and Lazy Shapira; Director of the Raanana Symphonette, Orit Fogel-Shafran and Rabbi Daniel Beller.  The evening was hosted by Rabbi Ronen Neuwirth.

Participants in the forum agreed that we should be proud of our Jewish culture, but we can also learn from Western culture, the extent of which depends on a person’s value system and philosophy.

Mayor Nahum Hofree:  “This type of festive events are another step in strengthening a heterogonous, pluralistic community in Raanana, in which each group of Israeli society practices its lifestyle according to its beliefs and values, in a spirit of mutual cooperation and camaraderie.”

On Saturday morning, there was a joint encounter held for the city’s youth with the “Serugim” TV series stars on the subject of:  “TV in the 21st Century – A Decadent Device or an Educational System,” hosted by the community’s Rabbi Yaakov Meir.

The events were organized by the Jewish Heritage Unit at the Informal Education Administration’s Department of Adult Education, and in cooperation with Tzohar and the Torah Culture Division at the Ministry of Education.