Oh Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah! Come Light the Menorah at Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea

Four Seasons Resort Maui, the island’s only Forbes five star resort, has announced this year’s Hanukkah celebration to be led once again by Rabbi Arnold Rachlis and Cantor Ruti Braier of University Synagogue in Irvine, California from December 12  to 20, 2017.

The lively Hanukkah holiday program will include a nightly sundown candle lighting ceremony and will feature music played on guitar and sung by Cantor Braier; games, holiday storytelling, a latke demonstration by Four Seasons Executive Chef Craig Dryhurst; and a Shabbat dinner choreographed by Israeli-born Chef Peleg Miron of Spago, Maui.

“We are pleased to welcome back Rabbi Rachlis and Cantor Braier who will again lead our guests and community residents through truly memorable evening events that are part of our Festival of Lights program,” says Jean Claude Wietzel, General Manager, Four Seasons Resort Maui.  He adds that this dynamic husband-and-wife team will bring a modern interpretation to understanding this ancient holiday, which is steeped in tradition and symbolises religious freedom.

Rabbi Rachlis is a dynamic teacher and leader with a deep commitment to his congregants and to those he reaches through his role is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Temple University’s Graduate Department of Religion, and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College.  He has taught at the college level and his scholarly and popular articles can be found in a variety of publications.  Rabbi Rachlis has served as Chair of Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger, and as president of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association.

The melodious voice of Cantor Ruti Braier has served as the musical inspiration for University Synagogue since 1995.  Born in Argentina, she has lived in Israel and moved to Southern California in 1982, and studied Judaica at Midrasha L’morim, affiliated with Tel Aviv University.  In addition to being the beloved voice and cantor for University Synagogue, one of the largest Reconstructionist synagogues in the US, she has also toured as the lead singer of two musical rock groups in Argentina – Shachar and Manginot Bashira – and was a finalist on television’s International Star Search. All this points to a fun and festive holiday at the Resort.

Reservations for the Shabbat Dinner at Spago and more information on this year’s Hanukkah festivities from December 12-20 are available by calling 808 874 8000.