Chabad of Greater Hartford’s annual Chanukah celebration will be held on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024 at West Hartford Town Hall, and will include activities for all ages, and children are invited to enter an art contest in advance.

From left: Rabbi Josef Gopin and Rabbi Shaya Gopin of Chabad of Greater Hartford, Micheal Levin, and Barbara Roth at the lighting of the giant ice menorah at Fire on Ice, Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue. Photo credit: Ronni Newton (we-ha.com file photo)

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This year, Chabad of Greater Hartford invites everyone to the Chanukah Fire on ICE celebration, a powerful demonstration of Jewish pride, and unity, on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, at West Hartford Town Hall. The event begins at 3 p.m. and is free of charge, though registration is required. Chanukah Fire on Ice celebration, held annually on the first Sunday of Chanukah, will this year mark the fifth night of the Chanukah festival.

American-Israeli Hasidic Rapper, Nissim Black, will rock the stage live in concert. The West Hartford Fire Department will once again host the much-loved Chanukah Gift Drop, showering chocolate and festive treats from their extended fire truck ladder for young and old to enjoy.

In this time of unprecedented darkness, Chabad is redoubling its efforts to spread the message of light triumphing over darkness this Chanukah. The heinous murder of the Chabad Rabbi in the UAE, Rabbi Zvi Kogan, ob”m, attacks on Jewish people in Israel and throughout the world, make the need to demonstrate Jewish pride and unity, more urgent and relevant than ever.

“Especially now, when there is so much hate and attempts to intimidate us, we must strengthen our Jewish pride, stand together and create more light!” said Rabbi Shaya Gopin of Chabad of Greater Hartford.

He emphasized the profound relevance of Chanukah’s message in the current climate: “Chanukah is a celebration of light triumphing over darkness, a time when the Maccabees overcame those who sought to destroy Jewish life and spirit in ancient Israel. It reminds us that even in the face of overwhelming opposition, a single light – an act of goodness and kindness – can dispel immense darkness. The mitzvahs and good deeds we do today make a real difference and bring hope and support to our brethren in Israel.”

The celebration will include the live carving of an 8-foot ice menorah, a symbol of resilience, strength, and faith. This spectacular display will culminate in the menorah’s lighting, a visual reminder of Chanukah’s central message – light can triumph over even the greatest darkness.

“Be the Light” Art Contest

Children are invited to participate in the “Be the Light” Art Contest. Submissions can include paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs, or other creative forms of art, centered on the theme: “A little bit of light can dispel a lot of darkness – how I can be the light by spreading goodness.”

Entries must be emailed to l[email protected] by Dec. 24, 2024, to be considered. The winning artwork will be announced on stage at the event and will grace the cover of West Hartford Magazine and be published on we-ha.com, along with additional prizes.

The event will also include a Chanukah Light-Up Wall, where participants can write down a good deed or mitzvah they pledge to do and add their message to the wall. Each pledge will “light up” the display, reinforcing the idea that every positive action, no matter how small, contributes to a brighter, better world.

Safety

The West Hartford Police Department will be working closely with the organizers to ensure the safety of all attendees. The area will feature enhanced security, with officers in uniform and plain clothes, as well as surveillance.

RSVP at www.FireonICE.info.

Event Highlights

• Live performance by American-Israeli Hasidic Jewish Rapper, Nissim Black
• 8-foot ice menorah carving and lighting
• Chanukah Gift Drop with the West Hartford Fire Department
• Mad Science Experiences
• Trackless Train
• Arts and crafts, face painting, and trackless train rides
• Hot food, donuts, coffee, and other refreshments
• Free menorah kits and door prizes

Chabad of Greater Hartford will also distribute menorahs, candles, and Chanukah-at-home kits to those celebrating at home.

Throughout the State of Connecticut, Chabad will be organizing giant menorah displays and public menorah lightings and more. To find more local events across Connecticut or even worldwide, visit www.ChabadHartford.com/103839.

About Chanukah

Chanukah begins on the evening of Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, and continues through Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. It recalls the victory of a militarily weak Jewish people who defeated the Syrian Greeks who had overrun ancient Israel and sought to impose restrictions on the Jewish way of life and prohibit religious freedom. They also desecrated and defiled the Temple and the oils prepared for the lighting of the menorah, which was part of the daily service. Upon recapturing the Temple only one jar of undefiled oil was found, enough to burn 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. Today, people of all faiths consider the holiday a symbol and message of the triumph of freedom over oppression, of spirit over matter, of light over darkness.

Additional information about the Hanukkah holiday is available at www.ChabadHartford.com/Hanukkah.

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