Fire on Ice: West Hartford Community Welcomes Chanukah and the Triumph of Light Over Darkness
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Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Chabad of Greater Hartford’s annual Chanukah celebration was held on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 at West Hartford Town Hall.
Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford President and CEO David Waren (left) with Rabbi Shaya Gopin. Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
By Ronni Newton
A giant menorah carved of ice – and an icy cold wind – were a fitting backdrop to a gathering at West Hartford Town Hall on Sunday as the sun set and the Jewish community welcomed the start of Chanukah and the triumph of light over darkness.
Yoni Z on stage at Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
The crowd of several hundred danced and sang along to the energetic music of Jewish superstar Yoni Z, and children enjoyed various games set up in the parking lot, eagerly anticipating sunset and the lighting of the menorah.
Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
“Thank you to Chabad for bringing us together for Fire on Ice – because honestly, there’s something beautifully Jewish about that image – a flame that refuses to be intimidated by the cold,” said David Waren, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, who had the honor of helping light the menorah on Sunday.
Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Waren said Chanukah felt different after the past two years since Oct. 7, with people carrying around “grief, worry, anger, and a constant, low-level vigilance” but stubbornly showing up at events anyway. And then, as this year’s Chanukah celebration began halfway around the world in Sydney, Australia, a public menorah lighting was the target of terrorism. “So here’s what I want to say tonight, as simply as I can: Chanukah is not a holiday about pretending the world isn’t dark. Chanukah is a holiday about what we do because it’s sometimes dark,” Waren said.
Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford President and CEO David Waren. Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Chanukah candles were first lit not because it was safe, but rather to refuse to give in to fear. “That’s why the Chanukah candles are meant to be seen. Not hidden away, but publicly visible – almost as if Judaism if saying, ‘This is who we are, and we will not be intimidated,'” Waren said.
With the Shamash and the first of the candles lit on stage on Sunday evening, the light of hundreds of sparklers punctuated the audience.
Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
“May the lights we kindle tonight honor those we’ve lost, strengthen those who are hurting, protect our communities, and remind us – quietly but unmistakably – that we’re still here, proud, public, and unafraid,” Waren said.
West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor welcomed the crowd, and said she was “so inspired by all of you being here, and by the energy, and the passion, and the joy.” She thanked her colleagues on the Town Council for also attending, and West Hartford’s town manager, police and fire departments, and town staff for ensuring the event ran safely and smoothly.
Dennis House of WTNH introduced West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor. Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Dennis House, WTNH anchor and reporter, emceed the event.
Organizer Rabbi Shaya Gopin of Chabad of Greater Hartford as well Director of Chabad of Greater Hartford Rabbi Josef Gopin spoke to the crowd about light overcoming darkness, and together with several children from the community led the audience in prayer.
Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
The evening was capped-off by the annual “Great Chanukah Gelt Drop,” with chocolate coins with small parachutes attached thrown from the top of a fire truck ladder by the West Hartford Fire Department.
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.
Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall featured Jewish music superstar Yoni Z. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Rabbi Josef Gopin. Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on Ice at West Hartford Town Hall. Dec. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
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