Imagine walking through the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center in Gainesville, Florida and hearing a unique blend of melodic sounds filtering out of the Gainesville VA auditorium. On December 15, 2009 that is exactly what happened! Employees, veterans and volunteers alike stopped in and were treated to the sound of trumpets, tambourines, flutes, guitars, and a euphonium wildly being played to the enjoyment of those listening and dancing in the middle of the auditorium. That music, called Klezmer Music, which originated in Eastern Europe centuries ago, was being played as part of the “8 Lights of Chanukah” Diversity Celebration by a band called “The Latkes.” The special one-event performance by The Latkes featured Tom Ambrosio on trumpet, Norman Jensen on violin, Emily Humphreys-Beher on flute, and the excellent rhythm section of John Johnson on guitar, Lisa Johnson on steel guitar and David Pawliger on euphonium.
If the sounds of strings and tambourines weren’t enough to attract attention, the smell of freshly fried Potato Pancakes (Latkes) and Jelly Donuts (Sufganiyot) waffling through the hallways enticing taste buds, did the trick. Upon entering the VA auditorium, all were greeted with familiar or unfamiliar smells of delicious Potato Pancakes and Jelly donuts, provided by Rabbi Berl and Chanie Goldman, which are part of the Chanukah celebration. During the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in 70 CE, there was only one flask of oil left in the Temple which should have been only enough to light the Candelabra (Menorah) for 1 night. Miraculously, it lasted for 8 nights until other sources of oil could be found. This is why we celebrate Chanukah (or Hanukkah) for 8 nights each year.
A unique program was created around the celebration of Chanukah at the VA, which was sponsored by Chaplain & Voluntary Service at the VA and the Lubavitch-Chabad Jewish Student & Community Center at the University of Florida. VA Chaplain Eustace Morrison gave a beautiful invocation to the crowd of over 300 attendees. VA Chaplain Glen Busby followed with a heartwarming talk about veteran Robert (Bob) Sperling who served in World War II behind enemy lines. Robert Sperling’s son Irwin, from Orlando, joined the celebration and received a copy of a poster created by Chaplain Busby with pictures and stories about Irwin’s father, which will be hung up in the Chapel for all to view.
The educational part of the agenda was fulfilled by employees and visitors viewing posters on subjects such as the first Chanukah Stamp in 1996, the Story of Chanukah, the Chanukah Menorah, how to play Dreidel, types of Chanukah Foods and alternative spellings of the word Chanukah (Hanukkah). VA Employees completed a questionnaire pertaining to interesting facts about Chanukah. The answers to these questions were all found on the posters placed around the auditorium. From sheets with all correct answers, several were picked to win prizes.
Another highlight of the afternoon was a Best Practice Award presentation made to VA leadership from VA Chaplain Michael McCoy, National Chaplain Center given to North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System. The award was for a Diversity Training Program – Forum on Jewish Spirituality and Culture entitled “8 Lights of Chanukah” which is a program recognizing an innovative educational and outreach program that increases cultural awareness and enhances appreciation of the value of diversity in the workplace. Accepting the award for leadership at the Chanukah Celebration from Chaplain Michael McCoy was Dr. Bradley Bender, VA Chief of Staff and VA employees Chaplain Glen Busby, Voluntary Service Chief Julie Baker, Medical Administration Specialist Renee Sperling, Library Service technician Ellen Umans, Human Resource Contract Clerk Melissa Abramowitz and Pharmacy Service Secretary Ann Pastor.
Tying the program together with a magnificent candle lighting ceremony and explanation of the Jewish holiday of Chanukah was Rabbi Berl Goldman, who was one of the sponsors of the program. The Lubavitch-Chabad Jewish Student & Community Center at the University of Florida provided the Potato Pancakes, Jelly Donuts, soft drinks, dreidels (toy tops) and chocolate coins (gelt) for all to enjoy. At the end of the program, the “Latkes” Klezmer band played music as the crowd mingled and enjoyed fellowship of celebrating cultural diversity at the VA.