Eight lights of Antioch’s Chanukah Menorah to be lit beginning Saturday night

This year, Chanukah begins on the eve of Nov. 28, which is Nov. 29 according to the Jewish calendar and runs for eight days through the eve of Dec. 6. Chanukah celebrates the cleansing of the Temple following the revolt of the Maccabees against King Antiochus IV Epiphanes of the Seleucid Greek Empire of Syria, after he issued his decrees forbidding Jewish religious practice.

Chanukah is known as the Festival of Lights, because it commemorates the traditional account of the miracle of finding one cruse of sacred oil—enough for one day—that lasted for eight days, the length of time it took to produce more sanctified oil for the N’er Tamid (Eternal Light) in the Temple. Chanukah is also known as the Festival of Dedication, as the Temple was sanctified again, and dedicated to true worship of the living God.

To remember that miracle, menorahs holding eight candles are lit, one per night, during the Chanukah celebration. Antioch has an eight-light Menorah, first erected in 2019, located in Waldie Plaza across W. 2nd Street from City Hall in historic, downtown Rivertown. One light will be lit each night beginning Saturday.

You’re invited to come, celebrate the Festival of Lights with Chabad of the Delta and our surrounding communities as we light the grand Menorah during the Community Celebration on Sunday December 5 at 4:30 pm at Brentwood City Park at 2nd and Oak Streets.

Our local community leaders will participate in kindling the giant “Menorah of Freedom”. There will be fun activities for everyone including:

• Chanukah crafts, glitter art and photo ops!
• Delicious, traditional latkes and donuts!
• A Grand Raffle!
• Saul Kaye Jewish Blues Musical entertainment!
• Acrobatic performance by Red Panda Acrobats!

For many of us, Chanukah prompts warm, loving memories from our childhood. We light the Menorah every night of the 8-night holiday. These lights offer warmth, joy, strength, inspiration and renews our sense of identity.

Rabbi Peretz Goldshmid, director of the Chabad of the Delta Jewish Center, describes Chanukah as “a holiday that enriches our lives with the light of tradition. In ancient times our ancestors rededicated the Temple in Jersusalem with the Menorah. Today, we rededicate ourselves to making this world a better and brighter place.”

Chabad of the Delta has placed Menorahs in Oakley at City Hall on Main Street, and another one in Brentwood at Balfour Road near Veterans Park, and this year we’ve placed a new in Discovery Bay at the Holiday Square on Discovery Bay Blvd.

As we celebrate in East Contra Costa, we join millions the world over, promoting the universal message that good will prevail over evil, freedom over oppression and light over darkness.

Make sure not to miss this opportunity to celebrate with your family and friends!

For more information and free Menorah Kits, contact Chabad of the Delta at (925) 420-4999 or online @ JewishDelta.com/Chanukah.

https://runsignup.com/Race/CA/KiwanisHolidayRun

The Antioch Community Foundation (ACF) has launched a Friends and Champions donor campaign to raise $25,000 to help build the sustainability of the ACF and increase the funds available to support local, nonprofit community initiatives.

To support the campaign, Executive Director Keith Archuleta and his wife, Iris, have made a Legacy level donation of $5,000. They are now looking for 10 people from the Antioch community to double that amount by donating $1,000 each as Champion level donors and 100 people to donate $100 each as Friend level donors.

this year alone the Antioch Community Foundation is funding over 30 non-profits that serve our community. Some examples are:

• The Antioch Senior Center
• Antioch Historical Museum and Sports Legends
• Antioch Unified MLK Art and Essay Contest Scholarships
• Family Justice Center
• Renaissance Entrepreneur Center
• Loaves and Fishes
• Opportunity Junction
• Cancer Support Center
• Love Never Fails
• Kiwanis of the Delta-Antioch
• Antioch Rotary

Donation checks should be made out to the Antioch Community Foundation and mailed to: Antioch Community Foundation, Attn: Keith Archuleta, Executive Director, 4464 Lone Tree Way, Suite 603, Antioch, CA 94531. Any amount would be appreciated.

About ACF

The Antioch Community Foundation (ACF) is an independent 501c3 organization not a city agency, created in 2014 through an investment by NRG.

In 2018, Keith Archuleta, President/CEO of Emerald HPC International, was contracted to serve as executive director, tasked by the board of directors to build an infrastructure, transparent grant cycle, and long-term vision for ACF growth and sustainability. The first thing Keith did was to bring together residents and community leaders to identify local needs and priorities and craft a vision of community caring and support.

The ACF has now become a catalyst for positive community transformation and sustainability, increasing the capacity of the local nonprofit sector to better serve residents and foster equity and inclusion; identifying and sustaining programs and projects that enhance the overall quality of life; providing support and guidance to local donors to match resources with the most critical challenges; and facilitating a culture of philanthropy that unites people and institutions and seeks to produce significant, measurable, and lasting results.

Over the last three years, the ACF has made steady progress in building the trust and confidence of local donors, service providers, and the community.  Through the recent social justice and health challenges, the ACF has provided grants to support local community and cultural events; community impact initiatives that promote equity; youth leadership development; and scholarships so youth, seniors, and low-income families have greater access to outdoor recreation activities.

When Covid hit, the ACF responded quickly, convening a summit of nonprofit community leaders to assess needs, share information and resources, and provide emergency funds to get organizations supplies and protection needed to continue direct services to clients.

In 2020-21, ACF grants have helped the local nonprofit sector leverage over six million dollars in additional funding for Antioch programs and activities, such as: the Martin Luther King, Jr. Art and Essay Contest scholarships, the Empowering Women Breakfast, the repair of an outdoor recreation area for seniors, trauma-informed activities in 6 elementary schools, workforce training graduation programs, the Black History Exhibit, a Pride event, food pantry and healthy meals for seniors and families, Friday Night Live business webinars, small business classes and community-based marketplaces, health and wellness services for cancer patients, advocacy for seniors, a human trafficking awareness campaign, a homeless services and shower program, a high school Poetry Slam, tutoring software, and the Cesar Chavez Exhibit.

Under Keith’s leadership, the ACF has helped launch and build the Family Economic Opportunity Network, the Faith Service Network, and Antioch ACT (All Children Thrive) by engaging faith organizations, community leaders, residents, nonprofits, and foundation partners. These grassroots efforts promote inclusion, access, and empowerment of youth, seniors, and families. Kindness, compassion and cooperation are the hallmark of this work, and sustainability and service are at the core of the economic and social eco-systems the ACF is helping to create.

Board of Directors

Sean Wright, Chair; Brad Helfenberger, Treasurer; Solomon Belette, Secretary; Susan Hurl; Nancy Kaiser; Eric Lueze; Louie Rocha, Max Shoka and Keith Archuleta, Executive Director

For questions regarding the Antioch Community Foundation or the application and award process, please contact Keith at 925-584-5944 or at keith@emeraldhpc.com.

 

The parade will be on W. 2nd and W. 3rd Streets from 4:45 pm to 6:00 pm ending with Santa’s appearance! For parade entries visit celebrateantioch.org to register.

Tom Menasco honored as Antioch Lifetime Veteran of the Year and J.R. Wilson as Antioch Veteran of the Year 2021-22

By Allen Payton

Antioch honored its military veterans on Veterans Day, on the 11th day of the 11th month, last Thursday, with a pancake breakfast, ceremonies at the Antioch Marina boat launch, a parade down W. Second Street in historic, downtown and a BBQ lunch at the VFW Post. The ceremony also included a rededication of the Antioch Veterans Memorial with the new mural on display for the first-time during Veterans Day. It concluded with the presentation of the Antioch Lifetime and Veterans of the Year.

The festivities began with the breakfast provided by the Antioch Rivertown Veterans Lions Club while the band Spinning Wheel performed on stage. J.R. Wilson, President of the Delta Veterans Group and Velma Wilson served as M.C.’s for the ceremony. The opening prayer was offered by Gabe Makinano, the presentation of colors by the Sea Cadets, the raising of the flag by the Antioch Police Department Honor Guard, the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Matthew Wilson and the National Anthem was performed by Velma Wilson. Taps was then performed by a trumpeter from the Antioch High School Marching Band. Martha Parsons then introduced local officials, other dignitaries and their representatives. District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock and District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica were in attendance.

The combined bands of Antioch High and Deer Valley High Schools performed the official songs of all four military branches including the U.S. Air Force’s song Wild Blue Yonder, the Navy Hymn, The Army Goes Rolling Along and The Marines’ Hymn.

Tom Menasco of the Veterans Memorial Banner Program honored the key volunteers who have helped make the program a reality. There are now 158 banners lining Antioch streets honoring local veterans. Another nine will be posted by Christmas, he shared.

Student speakers included Annabelle Van Dyke, a fourth grader at Mission Elementary School and eighth grader Blake West, the student body president at Park Middle School.

The Antioch Veterans Memorial was rededicated, with a special plaque presented to former Antioch Mayor Sean Wright. Artist Javier Rocabado spoke, again about the mural he was commissioned to paint.

Tom Menasco was honored with the Antioch Lifetime Veterans of the Year 2021-22 by 2017 honoree Paul Scannell, and J.R. Wilson was honored as the Antioch Veteran of the Year 2021-22.

That was followed by the parade flowing west to east on W. Second Street. A barbeque lunch was then held at the Antioch VFW Post 6435 ending the day’s activities.

The day’s sponsors included the Antioch Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Antioch American Legion, Delta Veterans Group, City of Antioch Parks and Recreation, Maintenance and Police Departments, Antioch Rivertown Veterans Lions Club, Tri Delta Transit and Smith’s Landing Seafood Grill.

CLICK HERE TO RSVP: https://bit.ly/HolidayCaregiving

By Rachel Heggen, Community Relations & Development Specialist, MOWDR

At 66, Dianne never imagined she would depend on others to do her grocery shopping.  Walking is difficult for her, which makes going to the supermarket challenging, and because she lives on a fixed income, she faces yet another obstacle to obtaining healthy food.

“I didn’t plan on my life coming down to this.” says Dianne. “I had a well-paying job, but now, I’m on disability. With the high cost of living nowadays, it’s really been tough.”

In 2020, Meals on Wheels Diablo Region partnered with the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano to launch the Grocery Bag Program to help seniors like Dianne who face food insecurity. Twice a month, a MOW Diablo Region volunteer is able to deliver healthy groceries and fresh produce along with her weekly meals.

“It’s a wonderful program,” says Dianne. “It’s been life-saving.”

The Grocery Bag Program provides food to low-income seniors in Antioch, Bethel Island, Brentwood, Oakley, Pittsburg, Concord, Martinez and Walnut Creek. MOW Diablo Region Grocery Bag Coordinator Casey Claibourne says, “the program currently serves 160 clients, but there are many more people who need the service. The only way we can offer it is to find more volunteers.”

“You can tell most of the seniors are struggling, and from the looks of things, most likely they do not have a lot in their refrigerator,” says Ted Dason, who’s been volunteering since February. “If anyone is considering being a volunteer, I tell them, it’s super rewarding and it literally only takes about two hours every month.”

If you would like to learn more or volunteer for the Meals on Wheels Diablo Region’s Grocery Bag program, contact Casey Claibourne at cclaibourne@mowdr.org.

About

MOW Diablo Region delivers meals to seniors, 60 years or older, who are homebound, not able to drive, unable to prepare food themselves, and do not have a caregiver that prepares their meals. Meals are provided based on need, not on income. Volunteer drivers deliver over 1,000 hot, nutritious meals to homebound seniors every day. Meal deliveries also provide a needed safety-check and is often the only human interaction a senior will have all day.