‘Light Over Darkness’: Chabad Hosts Fire on Ice Celebration in West Hartford
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West Hartford resident Rodney Goldberg lights the menorah. Fire on ICE. Dec. 29, 2024. West Hartford Town Hall. Photo credit: Greg Reese
Chabad of Greater Hartford’s annual Chanukah celebration was held on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024 at West Hartford Town Hall.
American-Israeli Hassidic Rapper Nissim Black entertains the crowd. Fire on ICE. Dec. 29, 2024. West Hartford Town Hall. Photo credit: Greg Reese
By Greg Reese
Chabad of Greater Hartford held their 17th annual Chanukah “Fire on Ice” Celebration on Sunday, Dec 29 – literally creating fire on ice as West Hartford resident Rodney Goldberg lit the giant ice menorah on stage.
A huge crowd, estimated to be at least 1,000, attended the event in the West Hartford Town Hall parking lot on the fifth night of the eight-day Festival of Lights.
Fire on ICE. Dec. 29, 2024. West Hartford Town Hall. Photo credit: Greg Reese
American-Israeli Hasidic Rapper Nissim Black’s appearance was highly anticipated when he went on stage and rocked the crowd. Afterwards, the crowd enjoyed an on-stage game of “True of False.”
At the family-friendly event, kids were given their own Menorahs and Chanukah kits, and they enjoyed crafts, face-painting, miniature golf, and rides on a trackless train.
Fire on ICE. Dec. 29, 2024. West Hartford Town Hall. Photo credit: Greg Reese
The evening was capped-off by the annual “Great Chanukah Gift Drop.” Children of all ages gathered Chanukah gelt and other treats thrown from the top of a fire truck ladder by the West Hartford Fire Department.
Great Chanukah Gift Drop. Fire on ICE. Dec. 29, 2024. West Hartford Town Hall. Photo credit: Greg Reese
Husband and wife team Dennis House of WTNH and Kara Sundlun of WFSB emceed the annual event.
Emcees Dennis House and Kara Sundlun. Fire on ICE. Dec. 29, 2024. West Hartford Town Hall. Photo credit: Greg Reese
Organizer Rabbi Shaya Gopin of Chabad of Greater Hartford as well Director of Chabad of Greater Hartford Rabbi Josef Gopin and Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford David Waren spoke to the crowd, sharing positive messages of spreading goodness and light during Chanukah and in times of darkness such as amid a rise in antisemitism, and about being proud of their faith and traditions.
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. Dec. 29, 2024. West Hartford Town Hall. Photo credit: Greg Reese
American-Israeli Hassidic Rapper Nissim Black entertains the crowd. Fire on ICE. Dec. 29, 2024. West Hartford Town Hall. Photo credit: Greg Reese
Fire on ICE. Dec. 29, 2024. West Hartford Town Hall. Photo credit: Greg Reese
Fire on ICE. Dec. 29, 2024. West Hartford Town Hall. Photo credit: Greg Reese
Fire on ICE. Dec. 29, 2024. West Hartford Town Hall. Photo credit: Greg Reese
Dennis House (left) with Rabbi Shaya Gopin. Fire on ICE. Dec. 29, 2024. West Hartford Town Hall. Photo credit: Greg Reese
Fire on ICE. Dec. 29, 2024. West Hartford Town Hall. Photo credit: Greg Reese
Fire on ICE. Dec. 29, 2024. West Hartford Town Hall. Photo credit: Greg Reese
Rabbi Shaya Gopin. Fire on ICE. Dec. 29, 2024. West Hartford Town Hall. Photo credit: Greg Reese
Rabbi Josef Gopin. Fire on ICE. Dec. 29, 2024. West Hartford Town Hall. Photo credit: Greg Reese
American-Israeli Hassidic Rapper Nissim Black entertains the crowd. Fire on ICE. Dec. 29, 2024. West Hartford Town Hall. Photo credit: Greg Reese
Rabbi Josef Gopin. Fire on ICE. Dec. 29, 2024. West Hartford Town Hall. Photo credit: Greg Reese
Fire on ICE. Dec. 29, 2024. West Hartford Town Hall. Photo credit: Greg Reese
Fire on ICE. Dec. 29, 2024. West Hartford Town Hall. Photo credit: Greg Reese
Fire on ICE. Dec. 29, 2024. West Hartford Town Hall. Photo credit: Greg Reese
Emcees Dennis House and Kara Sundlun. Fire on ICE. Dec. 29, 2024. West Hartford Town Hall. Photo credit: Greg Reese
Fire on ICE. Dec. 29, 2024. West Hartford Town Hall. Photo credit: Greg Reese
Fire on ICE. Dec. 29, 2024. West Hartford Town Hall. Photo credit: Greg Reese
Fire on ICE. Dec. 29, 2024. West Hartford Town Hall. Photo credit: Greg Reese
Fire on ICE. Dec. 29, 2024. West Hartford Town Hall. Photo credit: Greg Reese
Fire on ICE. Dec. 29, 2024. West Hartford Town Hall. Photo credit: Greg Reese
Fire on ICE. Dec. 29, 2024. West Hartford Town Hall. Photo credit: Greg Reese
Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford Executive Director David Waren. Fire on ICE. Dec. 29, 2024. West Hartford Town Hall. Photo credit: Greg Reese
Fire on ICE. Dec. 29, 2024. West Hartford Town Hall. Photo credit: Greg Reese
West Hartford resident Rodney Goldberg lights the menorah. Fire on ICE. Dec. 29, 2024. West Hartford Town Hall. Photo credit: Greg Reese
Fire on ICE. Dec. 29, 2024. West Hartford Town Hall. Photo credit: Greg Reese
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Refreshing and wonderful celebration by Chabad!