Five years ago, during the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic, people were craving interaction and an excuse to safely leave their homes after months indoors. So that Chanukah, Beth David Reform Congregation came up with a creative solution; a Parking Lot-kah party.
The idea was to have people brave the cold to fry up latkes in the synagogue’s parking lot with hot apple cider and sufganiyot. It became a drive-through where people could collect the holiday-themed food.
“We couldn’t gather in our building, but we still wanted to celebrate Chanukah and bring the joy of Chanukah and the lights of Chanukah the food of Chanukah and gather. But it had to be outside, obviously, and it has shifted over time each year,” said Lauren Goodlev, the congregation’s cantor.
This year’s celebration took place on Dec. 16, the third night of Chanukah. Due to the frigid weather sweeping across the Philadelphia area, the celebration was moved indoors, with the exception of the latke chefs, who operated the grills on the synagogue’s patio.
The cantor said the inaugural event in 2020 was interesting because people were hungry for any form of human connection after months of social distancing. To make it special, the congregation brought in flamethrowers and other light artists performing for the event and set up their own little radio station blasting Chanukah music into people’s cars.
She added that all the organizers could do then was greet people from afar and outside of windows. Now, with social isolation no longer required, they’ve been able to do more, and of course, everyone can meet and talk in person.
“We’re still in the parking lot. Obviously, if it’s frigid and we can’t be outside, then, of course, we’ll move inside. But we’ve really enjoyed staying outside, because there’s still something fun about the crisp winter air and enjoying being outside, enjoying the fact that it’s winter, and sort of having that fun aspect of a winter holiday,” Goodlev said.
The latke cooking effort is led by one of the congregants, Chef Jim Castello, and assisted by the synagogue’s men’s club. Goodlev explained that Castello enjoys cooking the latkes outside, even while making them at his home.
She said the event features a dreidel contest for the kids and hot cider drinks to keep everyone warm. She noted that they brought back an entertainer this year who was part of the inaugural event.
Goodlev said the entertainer is a “one-man-show” who can do fire eating, juggling and more unique skills.
The congregation is also planning for several more holiday events and activities, starting with the religious school students, who decorated the windows of their classrooms on Dec. 14 with images of dreidels and latkes and more.
The cantor said that the synagogue’s teen social justice group is putting together a Chanukah mitzvah project where they’re organizing their annual charity drive to support students at Mastery Charter Harrity Elementary.
“We’re seizing upon the communal aspect, the themes of light and joy, because that’s what the world needs. That’s what we all need at this time of the year, when the days are shorter and just feels a little colder out. We need some warmth and some light,” Goodlev said.
Goodlev also reflected on the importance of coming together for fun events as a community during the season.
“I think we can sometimes get caught up in so much of the craziness of this time of year, whether it’s the commerciality of this time of year, or with some of the darkness or the sadness of what’s going on in our world. We can feel defeated. We can feel lonely, and it’s important to remember that Chanukah tells us that reminds us of the importance of community,” Goodlev said. “It reminds us of the importance of light, it reminds us of the importance of hope, and that’s why we come together. And it reminds us of the need to persevere for all eight nights, and that the littlest light can last longer than we believe.”
