“No one should choose this year to hide on Hanukkah out of fear,” shared Rabbi Shimon Stillerman of the Chabad of Islip Township. “We should more so than ever express our Judaism and our pride in it.”

As leader of the Chabad of Islip, Rabbi Stillerman is proudly prepared to lead the Jewish community this holiday season throughout the eight-day celebration of Hanukkah.

The Chabad of Islip is not just a gathering place for the Jewish people, but rather the heart of the Islip Jewish community. A family-oriented, full-service Jewish Community Center, the Chabad of Islip provides resources for parents, spouses, children, and neighbors to learn about Jewish traditions.

The Chabad of Islip welcomes everyone into the tight-knit community, where one does not need to be affiliated or pay for a membership. The new Chabad Jewish Center, located at 283 Ocean Avenue in Islip, is the gathering point for all programs and events, including Hebrew School, holidays, and services.

The Chabad of Islip is hosting Hanukkah on Main Street at the Brightwaters Canal on Sunday, Dec. 10. Starting at 4 p.m., the celebration will feature a festive menorah lighting and refreshments. Rabbi Stillerman encourages people of all religious backgrounds to join.

“Make sure this year on Hanukkah, you display your menorahs and come out to celebrate—we need each other,” expressed Rabbi Stillerman. “And for everyone else, we would love to see you as well. Your vocal support and presence means a lot and helps us make the world a better place.”

The Chabad is also hosting a Comedy Hanukkah Social at the Chabad Jewish Center Monday, Dec. 11, at 7:30 p.m. American comedian Avi Liberman stayed and volunteered in Israel after being in the country for a holiday during the attacks of Oct. 7. After performing free shows for the soldiers and misplaced people of Israel since October, Liberman is returning to the United States this week before his special Dec. 11 comedy show. The event will also feature drinks, gourmet donuts and latkes, and a menorah lighting for the fifth day of Hanukkah. Tickets for this event can be purchased for $60 at www.ChabadOfIslip.com/Comedy.

With the devastating recent events in Israel and Gaza, it is more important than ever for local communities to come together with love, respect, and support.

“Israel is not just a place that is 6,000 miles away; it is a place that every Jewish person feels a deep essential connection to, so what happens there affects us all,” affirmed Rabbi Stillerman. “But also, the reaction that we have been seeing all over the world, and also locally, a rise of antisemitism, and isolation we would feel when we do not get as much support as we would like to see. The community is even that much more important and needed for everyone.”

Attending local menorah lightings and Hanukkah celebrations is an avenue for people who are friends and supporters who are not necessarily Jewish to express their support for the Jewish community. As December continues, remember to keep the holiday spirit alive by supporting people in your community.