The first night of Chanukah was celebrated in West Hartford Center on Sunday, with an estimated 2,000 people attending an outdoor event on LaSalle Road.
The dreidels danced all night long at Fire on ICE. Dec. 18, 2022. Photo credit: Tom Hickey
By Stacey Dresner. Photos by Stacey Dresner and Tom Hickey
Thousands celebrated the first night of Chanukah at “Chanukah Fire on ICE,” held for the first time on LaSalle Road in West Hartford on Sunday, Dec. 18. Presented by Chabad of Greater Hartford, the theme of the family-friendly event was the spreading of light and goodness.
Rabbi Shaya Gopin of Chabad of Greater Hartford was the organizer of the fun-filled Chanukah Fire on ICE. Photo credit: Stacey Dresner
Chanukah, or the Festival of Lights, recalls the victory of the Jews, led by Judah Maccabee, against the Greeks in reclaiming the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. When the Maccabees went to light the Temple’s menorah, there was only one jar of oil – enough to burn for only one day, but it lasted miraculously for eight. In commemoration, Jews celebrate Chanukah for eight days by lighting an eight-branched candelabrum known as a menorah.
At Chanukah Fire on ICE, the menorah was literally fire on ice – a super-sized ice sculpture menorah, lit by David Roth of West Hartford.
From left: Lee Gold, president of the Board of Chabad of Greater Hartford, David Waren, executive director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor, Dennis House of WTNH. Fire on ICE. Dec. 18, 2022. Photo credit: Tom Hickey
Local celebrities were in attendance – WTNH anchorman Dennis House led a rousing Jewish trivia game and West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor gave a shout-out to everyone celebrating Chanukah.
Young and old alike danced with joy during a rocking concert by the Chasidic pop band “8TH DAY.”
Families and children enjoyed arts & crafts, colorful spinning dreidels, glow-in-the-dark face painting, and rides around LaSalle Road on a trackless train. Everyone enjoyed hot cocoa and doughnuts, and Chabad distributed menorahs, candles, and Chanukah-at-home kits to those celebrating at home.
West Hartford firefighters sprinkled Chanukah gifts and chocolate coins from the top of the extended ladder in the annual Gelt Drop. Fire on ICE. Dec. 18, 2022. Photo credit: Tom Hickey
The evening ended with the GELT DROP, as West Hartford firefighters sprinkled Chanukah gifts and chocolate coins from the top of the extended ladder of the fire truck.
Despite the celebratory atmosphere, it was hard to ignore the heavy security in place. The roadways were blocked off by the West Hartford Department of Public Works and the town’s police and fire departments, and even the emergency response team, K-9 units, and undercover officers ensured the safety of attendees.
Community partners and sponsors of Chanukah Fire on ICE included we-ha.com, West Hartford Magazine, The Jewish Ledger, The Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, Michael and Pat Kazakoff and family, and Aaron and Goldie Black.
Rabbi Josef Gopin of Chabad of Greater Hartford. Fire on ICE. Dec. 18, 2022. Photo credit: Tom Hickey
The dreidels danced all night long at Fire on ICE. Dec. 18, 2022. Photo credit: Tom Hickey
A crowd estimated at 2,000 enjoyed Fire on ICE. Dec. 18, 2022. Photo credit: Tom Hickey
West Hartford firefighters sprinkled Chanukah gifts and chocolate coins from the top of the extended ladder in the annual Gelt Drop. Fire on ICE. Dec. 18, 2022. Photo credit: Tom Hickey
West Hartford firefighters sprinkled Chanukah gifts and chocolate coins from the top of the extended ladder in the annual Gelt Drop. Fire on ICE. Dec. 18, 2022. Photo credit: Tom Hickey
Dennis House of WTNH. Fire on ICE. Dec. 18, 2022. Photo credit: Tom Hickey
Rabbi Shaya Gopin of Chabad of Greater Hartford. Fire on ICE. Dec. 18, 2022. Photo credit: Tom Hickey
A fun ride around LaSalle Road on the Chanukah Trackless Train. Photo credit: Stacey Dresner
Children and families enjoyed the trackless train. Fire on ICE. Dec. 18, 2022. Photo credit: Tom Hickey
Dennis House of WTNH News 8 took the Chanukah Fire on ICE stage to host a Jewish trivia game. Photo credit: Stacey Dresner
“8th DAY,” the popular Chasidic band, entertained the dancing crowd. Photo credit: Stacey Dresner
From left: West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor; David Waren, executive director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford; and Rabbi Josef Gopin of Chabad of Greater Hartford. Photo credit: Stacey Dresner
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