Barrie's Jewish community marks beginning of Hanukkah
Barrie's Jewish community gathered for a whole afternoon of activities on the first Sunday of a bittersweet Hanukkah.
On Sunday, the Am Shalom Congregation in Barrie gathered for the first Sunday Shabbat since Hanukkah started late last week. It's the first Hanukkah season since the war between Israel and Hamas started earlier this Fall.
"We are upset at what's going on in Israel, there's no doubt about that, but we are comforted by the support we've had from our other faith groups and our friends in general in the Barrie community," said the congregation's president Jeff Wellman.
After the Shabbat, the fun moved to Barrie's Bowlerama, where the local youth group gathered for a few hours of friendly competition.
Then, the Am Shalom Congregation hosted a bonfire and BBQ outside the synagogue later in the afternoon.
"Hanukkah is a time of rededication to our Jewish values, and community building goes along with that," said Wellman. "So it's very important that we spend time together as a group and with our families."
Wellman said Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall and Barrie Police Chief Rich Johnston have been overwhelmingly supportive since the war began in October.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian family stuck in Lebanon anxiously awaits flight options amid Israeli strikes
A Canadian man who is trapped in Lebanon with his family says they are anxiously waiting for seats on a flight out of the country, as a barrage of Israeli airstrikes continues.
Suspect in shooting of Toronto cop was out on bail
A 21-year-old man who was charged with attempted murder in the shooting of a Toronto police officer this week was out on bail at the time of the alleged offence, court documents obtained by CTV News Toronto show.
Scientists looked at images from space to see how fast Antarctica is turning green. Here's what they found
Parts of icy Antarctica are turning green with plant life at an alarming rate as the region is gripped by extreme heat events, according to new research, sparking concerns about the changing landscape on this vast continent.
DEVELOPING 2 dead after fire rips through historic building in Old Montreal
At least two people are dead and others are injured after a fire ripped through a century-old building near Montreal's City Hall, sources told Noovo Info.
Yazidi woman captured by ISIS rescued in Gaza after more than a decade in captivity
A 21-year-old Yazidi woman has been rescued from Gaza where she had been held captive by Hamas for years after being trafficked by ISIS.
A 6-year-old girl was kidnapped in Arkansas in 1995. Almost 30 years later, a suspect was identified
Nearly 30 years after a six-year-old girl disappeared in Western Arkansas, authorities have identified a suspect in her abduction through DNA evidence.
Dolphins 'smile' at each other when they play and to avoid misunderstanding, study finds
For humans, flashing a smile is an easy way to avoid misunderstanding. And, according to a new study, bottlenose dolphins may use a similar tactic while playing with each other.
Pit bulls in B.C. pet mauling tested positive for meth, cocaine, says city
Three pit bulls involved in a deadly attack on another dog last month in Kamloops, B.C., tested positive for methamphetamine and cocaine, and the city is going to court to have them put down.
Tax rebate: Canadians with low to modest incomes to receive payment on Friday
Canadians who are eligible for a GST/HST tax credit can expect their final payment of the year on Friday.