Hanukkah 2012: Menorah Lighting at Westfield Brandon (Photos)

The Chabad of Brandon community center, headed by Rabbi Mendel Rubashkin, was on hand Dec. 9 at the Westfield Brandon shopping mall to light the public menorah for Hanukkah.

The lighting took place under clear skies in the Restaurant Courtyard, next to a series of small Christmas trees and a gigantic wreath.

This is the community center's fifth or sixth year lighting the menorah, Rubashkin said. "I called the mall manager and said, 'Is this something we would be able to do,' and they were very accommodating."

In attendance were people of Jewish faith, and of all faiths, getting a taste of both Jewish heritage and tradition, with a serving of seasonal potato latkes and applesauce to boot.

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"This is wonderful, I'm so happy that the management of the mall is allowing it," said Patty Hibsher, in attendance with the Valencie Lakes West Women's Club. "It's giving me a sense of my heritage."

With her was Barbara Wax, who noted that while the Greater Brandon community "is not an amazingly Jewish area," the public menorah lighting is "letting other people know that we exist and how we celebrate Hanukkah."

Added Hibsher: "It gives us a sense of belonging."